2018 TEACHERS & STAFF
• Ryan & Jenny Sims (Seattle, WA)
• Jo Ann Coker (Seattle, WA)
• Lessa Jay Lamb (Seattle, WA)
• Ari Levitt (Seattle, WA)
• Alyssa Manning (Seattle, WA)
• Sarah Peller (Port Townsend, WA)
• Chaz Hillyard (Port Townsend, WA)
• Tzoul Shine (Nevada City, CA)
• Special Guest DJ "X" (From Parts North)
• Cliff Clive (Bellingham, WA)
• Cody Dwyer (Seattle, WA)
• More to come ....
** As in 2017, 2018 Instructors will be available for Private Lessons throughout the weekend. Sign-up sheets with times & pricing will be at the registration desk
Ryan has been training and performing with the Olympic Ballet Theatre since 2010. His repertoire spans from Nutcracker Prince in “The Nutcracker” to Mordred from the contemporary piece “Griffes: Kairn of Korhdwen”, and more. In 2010 he also started dancing East Coast Swing, from there, his love of partner dancing lead him to West Coast Swing, Blues and then in 2012 to Fusion dancing.
Jenny’s love of dance took off in 1999 when she discovered Hip Hop. She took home first place in several freestyle Hip Hop dance competitions and went on to perform on stage at many Electronic Music Festivals. In early 2013 she immersed herself in Blues, Fusion, Ballroom, Kizomba, Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue. Her more recent focus is on Tango, Zouk and Ballet has made her a creative and well-rounded fusion dancer.
Words cannot express the magic that is Lessa.
Let's just let that percolate for now....
Jo Ann loves translating music with her body through dance. She started with Ballet in her youth, then went on to Ballroom, but Lindy Hop and Balboa grabbed her heart. Over the course of 20+ years, she expanded her dance background to include Lindy Hop, Balboa, Waltz, Foxtrot, Blues, West Coast Swing, Bachata, Kizomba, Tango, and even a little bit of Salsa.In addition to their traditional forms, Jo Ann also enjoys playfully fusing different dance styles. You can expect clear instruction, a focus on proper technique, and plenty of car analogies. Jo Ann currently runs Seattle’s largest and longest running weekly fusion venue, Om Fusion. www.omfusion.com
Ari is well-known for his fun, energetic, and delightful classes that can't help but inspire students with a love and passion for dance. He has been teaching, performing, and DJ’ing nationally, and internationally for over 25 years, including the Denver Fusion Exchange (DFX), Seattle Fusion Festival (SFF), and Mission Fusion Exchange (MFX). In addition to “Heart Sound Fusion”, he is the co-founder and director of “Waltz Week in Vienna”, “Snowflake Blues” (Vienna), “Mexico Dance Week”, “New Zealand Dance Adventure”, “Harrison Hot Springs Dance & Spa Retreat”; & “Jumpin’ At The Woodside” (NY), and is a leading innovator in the area of "fusion-social" (ie, night club 2-step, cross-step waltz)
When not dancing, Ari is a physician on faculty at Singularity University in their “Exponential Medicine” track, and is a pioneer in the field of “Experiential Wellness” which, among other things, uses dance movement, technique, & connection as a modality for diagnosing and treating patients.
You can learn more about Ari at www.rolluptherug.com
Alyssa Manning (Seattle, WA):
Alyssa will be partnering with Ari at this years camp. Alyssa’s passion for dance has developed through performing, learning, competing, and teaching partner and solo dance for over 20 years. Her multifaceted experience includes extensive training and national awards in ballroom dance, additional work in hip hop, swing, jazz, and blues, as well as dabbling in many other styles. She especially enjoys the creative expression that comes from combining these varied dance forms in fusion dancing.
When not on the dance floor, Alyssa is working towards discovering new cures for widespread neglected diseases at the Infectious Disease Research Institute of Seattle.
Sarah Peller and Chaz Hillyard have been teaching Fusion Dance classes in Port Townsend Washington for the past 4 years. Sarah loves all things dance! Among her favorites are Blues Fusion, Contact Improv and Bachata. She’s also crazy about Conscious Dance and believes in the healing power or movement. Chaz is a Blues Fusion dancer who has a special flare for lifts and dips. He also loves Acro Yoga, spinning fire poi and sword fighting. They’ve been fueling the Fusion Dance scene in Port Townsend, WA for the past 4 years. They strive to create an inclusive learning environment where everyone, even the most timid of dancers, can walk away feeling accomplished. Their mission is to convert as many people into dancers as possible and to share the joy of dance with their community.
Tzoul is an interdimensional dance instructor coach and activist. Solo dancer all his life, Tzoul was introduced to social partner dancing by the northern Colorado blues community in 2008. Summer 2013 he committed his life to a path of partner dance exploration and assimilation. After four winters of active training and social dance involvement Tzoul says he is ready to throw the best Fusion Party ever. His festival experience is broad and educated. He brags that he has attended every type of dance festival in existence. Partner dance is Tzoul's vehicle towards improving the quality of life for all beings. He is in the midst of researching why people dance. Preparing to create the perfect style of dance, Tzoul finds great wisdom in the dances that came before. He means to honor the dancers and musicians that shaped how we participate in dance today.
Tzoul is an active student of Kizomba, Blues, Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, West Coast Swing, Zouk, and County Two Step. He thinks he is a Grand Master of Fusion even though the fusion exchange judges don't agree. Tzoul said he feels very grateful to have the opportunity to throw a party with Ari who he looks up to greatly. More info can be found on www.Tzoul.com
Special guest DJ "X" from parts North (name rhymes with "Whiz Nightside")*
DJ "X" has been part of the dance world for just over 10 years, starting with East Coast Swing and Lindy, where she joined a team and started teaching in 2010. Shortly after, she felt the pull towards blues dancing, fell deeply in love with it, and has been teaching it now for six years. She is also involved in West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, some Latin partner dance, and playing with a different flow toys (hula hoops, flow wands, fibre optic whips, etc). Dance is her getaway and escape. It’s not just an indulgence, but a lifestyle and her roots grow deep. The best part of living her life is getting to share her love of dance and music with others. Her greatest reward is watching the energy and flow of the crowd while DJ’ing music she is passionate about.
(*We've been requested by the artist to not post their actual name in case there might be problems at the border)
Cliff Clive (Seattle, WA)
Cliff brings to Heart Sound his expertise as a party scientist. He is obsessed with connection, both on and off the dance floor, between dancers and among dance communities. He is fanning the flames of Seattle’s house party scene, regularly hosting all-night parties and day-after recovery hangouts. Cliff is excited to bring his talents to Heart Sound Fusion, to ensure that Friday and Saturday’s late night dance parties are the most memorable social dances you will attend all year.
Cody Dwyer (Seattle, WA)
Cody is our head social host and volunteer coordinator. He has been and active part of the Seattle fusion scene since it's onset and is well connected to the dancers, teachers, and DJ's in the fusion community.