2026 Staff is Here!

She/Her

Amy danced in and won her first UCWDC competition in 2006 and began choreography competitions not long thereafter. She won a few choreography competitions including being awarded the Dancer’s Choice Award for Team Choreographer in 2013. Amy has been afforded the opportunity to teach at events throughout the United States and internationally since 2011. In 2017 her co-choreography was awarded Dance of the Year and Intermediate Dance of the Year at the Crystal Boot Awards.

Local favorites include “Shake Your Cake”, “Stitches”, “Moses Roses Toeses”, “Portland Cha” with Betts, Madge, Vane, Ward, Poulsen, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” with Mundy, Thompson-Szymanski, and more!


When she isn’t dancing, Amy is a pharmacist in Washington state. While she enjoys her career, she has discovered that her true passion is dance. Amy can no longer imagine her life without line dance and loves sharing this passion with dancers all over the world. Amy finally met the love of her life dancing and in 2017 she married Darren Bailey.

She/Her

Annemarie Dunn has 35+ yrs professional experience as a studio owner, Director of Arts performances & programs, instructor, choreographer, & performer in multiple dance styles for all ages including the development & integration of adaptive/therapy programs for special needs. She founded & owns the Word In Motion Entertainment & Dance Company in Rancho Cucamonga CA servicing Community Programs, Festivals, Corporate & Private Events locally, Nationally, Internationally for 25+ yrs. She has been featured on KTLA5 & other news and is the founder of the acclaimed Stagecoach Honky Tonk Dance Team and currently has served 13yrs as the Stagecoach Honky Tonk Productions Program Development Director, Stage Manager, Dance Teams Captain & Cross-promotions lead. Additionally a Lead Instructor & DJ for Boots In the Park Festivals with Activated Events LLC, Lead Instructor for Boots on Stage & Country Booze cruises, Mammoth Lakes Villagefest, Mammoth Country Fest, WWLA, previous Dance Program Director /Instructor Canyon Club Montclair CA, Whiskey River Norco CA, Brandin Iron Saloon San Bernardino CA, Toby Kieth’s Bar & grill Rancho Cucamonga CA, and development of dance programs at multiple locations & city parks & recreation programs throughout Southern California.

She/Her

Candy is thrilled to return to WWLA 2026. Candy has been dancing since she was 9 years old, and has been fortunate enough to make a living as a performer and a teacher.  Her background in ballet, jazz and musical theatre provides a unique perspective to country dancing, allowing her to explain and break down steps in a detailed and easily understood fashion.

Country dancing, both 2-step and Line, became an integral part of Candy’s life in 1991.  Some of her Line dance choreography includes Woman Amen, If You Want It, Switch It Up and Love a Party (For Ron). She has been blessed to share her passion in the greater LA area at many venues, private events, and 10 line dance cruises, and has no plans of slowing down. She has been the lead instructor at Borderline since 1995, and prior to that taught at InCahoots Glendale and Denim and Diamonds Woodland Hills.  Candy’s line dance channel, candysherwin.com, was developed as an online reference and support to the community she loves so dearly.

She continues to teach and choreograph daily, and is ever so grateful to her wonderful husband, Joe Mika, for his constant love and support. 

See you on the Dance Floor!

He/Him

Carlus has taught, competed, and judged partner dancing for the last 20 years, starting in ballroom and Latin, then later specializing in West Coast Swing. He also became a powerlifter and fitness coach in the last 12 years, and specializes in movement and longevity.

She/Her

Line Dance Instructor Cindi Massengale enjoys helping others through positive motivation and encouragement, and is passionate about helping beginners get started. She feels the best part of her job is to see someone that is new to dancing get “hooked” into the Country-Western dance scene. Cindi also teaches Country Western partner dancing, including Two-step, Cowboy Cha Cha and many others.

Cindi is a fun, out-going instructor, with a playful attitude and her motto is “Fake It ‘til You Make It”! “It’s all about having a fun time, enjoying time with friends or family, listening and dancing to great music, and learning to dance at your own pace!”

Cindi has been the StageCoach Music Festival liaison for Cowboy Country the past 5 years, including judging the dance competition held at Cowboy Country.

Crickett Kinser is the 2nd generation director of the Ventucky Stompers (line dancing and clog dancing) which was originally formed in the 80's by her mother Carole Ester. She has been clogging since age 4 and has been choreographing/directing since her teens.  Her competition career took her all over the US earning her countless regional and national championship titles along with touring opportunities with many various artists and TV shows throughout the years. But her love for clogging has never faded. She expanded her team from just clogging to also include line dancing in 2024 and has fully enjoyed embracing this new community. Now the proud director of a team of over 89 dancers, instructors and DJ's, she is thrilled to be back at WWLA for her 2nd year!

He/Him

Darren Bailey is a 15 time World Line Dance Champion in categories such as, Classic, Showcase, Choreography, and Teams. Darren completed his dance training in Holland and toured Europe & America in theatre productions of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and “Passion and Illusion”. In 2006 Darren retired from professional competitions, but has continued judging, choreographing and conducting workshops throughout the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the USA. In 2017 Darren was inducted into the Line Dance hall of fame for his services to Line Dance Choreography and his work promoting Line Dance all over the world. Darren has trained several of the current and previous World Line Dance Champions and continues to train the world champions of tomorrow.

In 2006 Darren was partnered with Lana Williams for the BBC1 Show, Strictly Dance Fever, where they finished as runners ups from a total of 80,000 competitors. Following this Darren, has gone on to work professionally within the entertainment industry, with many choreography and T.V credits to his name.

T.V Credits Include : Britain’s Got Talent’ (backing dancer & Choreography) – ITV 1, Strictly Dance Fever’ 2006 runner up – BBC 1 (live), The National Lottery‘ with Lionel Blair -BBC 1(live), The Coal House’ (series) choreographer and guest performer – BBC 2, Strictly Come Dancing’ (series 10 – Present) choreographer – BBC 1, The Coal House’ (series) choreographer and guest performer – BBC 2, Dance House 1944’ (documentary) Featured dancer – BBC 2, The New Paul O Grady Show’ – Channel 4 (live), The Alan Titchmarsh Show’ – ITV 1

Other credits include :‘Catwalk Model’ – Gucci and Armani suits, Ambassador Of Swing Theatre Show’ – Manhattan Theatre (USA), ‘Fever’ Jive Aces – Music Video, The Devil Went Down To Georgia’ – UK Tour, Passion and Illusion’ – USA Tour, Dance and Rhythm’ with Angel a Ripon – The London Palladium, Dance Manifesto Launch’ Guest Performer – London City Hall, Frank Skinner’s Cabaret’ – (West End) The Lyric Theatre, Cuban Groove Dance Company Cabaret – Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, Clash’ Theatre Show’- Featured Dancer – Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Picnic In The Park’ Cole Porter Tribute Show – Dubai, Mark Ramprecash Charity Dinner’ – Hilton Hotel, London, Showtime’ Cuban Groove – Birmingham NEC ,Corporate Team Building Promotional Video – HSBC, NHS Annual Awards Ceremony, choreographer (Northampton)

Gabby Cabangon (she/her) is a proud queer line dance instructor and choreographer originally from Houston, TX and now resides in St. Louis, MO. She embraces dance as a form of self-expression and strives to create joyful dance communities that are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to anyone. She's competed on the UCWDC circuit, and she has also performed nationally with the Mavericks Dance Team from Houston, TX. In her free time, she enjoys reading, discovering local coffee shops, and playing chess. She's excited to welcome y'all into her class! Let's get saucy! IG: @gabbythelinedancer

He/Him

A little bit about me: I’ve been dancing since roughly around 2017, but didn’t realize I wanted to do something bigger with it until 2023 (which is around the time I got more into country swing). Now I travel around the country teaching, judging, and competing at conventions and I have loved every step of the way. I originally grew up in Virginia, but lived in San Diego from 2024 until recently and now live in Tuscon, Arizona.

He/Him

Joey Warren started dancing when he was 10 years old. He attended a line dance class every Thursday called "Boot Scootin Boogie!" However that only lasted for about a year and a half because the place was shut down. From that point, till he was 17 years old, Joey went back to being focused on school and sports. As those years went by, he had friends that kept dancing and told him that it had drastically changed. In June of 2003, he attended his first dance event, the JG2 Line Dance Marathon. He didn't know any dances but was able to take many workshops and see all the new styles of dance. That's all it took.

Today, Joey Warren has been professionally teaching and choreographing since 2004. His first dance, "In The Zone", was well received and taught at many dance events. Joey is known for dances such as, “In the Six” with Shane McKeever, “Boys” with Scott Blevins, “Main Attraction”, “Malibu Nights”, and “Watch the Tempo” with Richard, Whitehouse, McKeever, Ridyard. He's been blessed to work with some amazing choreographers!

Also, Joey has appeared in music videos including "Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love" by Trisha Yearwood and "Stomp" by Steve Richard. Along with the videos, Joey's been lucky enough to perform at live shows with Barry and Dari Anne Amato in Nashville and the surrounding areas.

Dancing wasn't the only focus for Joey as he completed his Bachelor degree, in May of 2009, in Business Administration, with specialization in sales and management. Currently he's still busy working at the family business, J.W. Steel Inc., but, also enjoying being back on the circuit and going to his favorite events.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Juan Gonzalez grew up surrounded by music. From an early age, he showed a natural connection to rhythm, performing as a soloist in school concerts after learning keyboard at age 10. After serving in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and earning a degree in Computer Science, Juan moved to New Jersey to work with the Federal Aviation Administration.

In 2005, a chance encounter with line dancing in a Philadelphia bar reignited his passion for music and movement. The dance floor quickly became his outlet—blending structure, creativity, and musicality in a way that felt like home.

In 2017, Juan relocated to Dallas, Texas to immerse himself in the dance community and began teaching at local venues. He started choreographing in 2020, and his work quickly gained national recognition. He was a finalist in the United States Line Dance Choreography Championship (USLDCC) in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In 2023, he won the WWLA Choreo Corral Overall Championship and took 2nd place at the Chicago Line Dance Choreography Competition with "Boom Boom Bam Bam."

In 2025, Juan won 1st place at the UCWDC Worlds in the Country Intermediate/Advanced category with his original choreography, "Rowdy Gentle Man."

Juan continues to share his love for music, rhythm, and community through teaching, performing, and creating dances that inspire movement and joy.

Kat Nichols is a Portland, OR–based instructor with a passion for helping dancers of all levels connect with their bodies and the dance floor. With over 20 years of experience as a competitive figure skater, she brings a unique perspective to country dance — blending precise body mechanics, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of movement. Since 2016, she has been a dedicated instructor in the country dance community.

She is also the powerhouse behind The PNW Stompeders and PNWSDF, where she serves as both Event Owner and Director, building one of the strongest and most respected dance communities in the nation. Her events have become a gathering place for dancers from across the region and beyond, known for their organization, professionalism, and vibrant dance culture.

Beyond teaching and directing, Kat is widely recognized as one of the top competition coordinators in the country through DancePlace. She has overseen and managed some of the largest and most complex competitions in Modern Country Swing, supporting events that host hundreds of competitors and thousands of entries. From organizing brackets to keeping competitions running seamlessly, she has built a reputation for precision, fairness, and professionalism — earning the trust of event directors, judges, and competitors nationwide.

Kat holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching, allowing her to adapt to a variety of learning styles and create an environment where dancers feel confident, supported, and empowered in their growth. She is also passionate about developing dancers beyond the floor, sharing her knowledge of choreography, stepsheets, and the creative process to help others expand their artistic voice.

Her impact on the country dance world goes far beyond a single event — she builds communities, develops competitions, and continually elevates the standard for how events operate.

He/Him

Luke will be getting married to the love of his life this September, and will be taking her last name. After they get married, he will be Luke Staples.

Luke Nelson is an interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, teacher, and dancer invested in movement as healing for marginalized bodies, particularly queer and trans bodies like his own. He explores this through several forms of dance, utilizing Contact Improvisation, improvisational scores, postmodern dance, and country line dance as his research. In 2022 Luke received his B.A. in Dance from the UCLA World Arts & Cultures/Dance department with a primary focus in Creative Inquiry as Research. In 2023 Luke joined the LA Wranglers and dove in headfirst, performing at events such as Stagecoach, Sundance Stompede, and Disney Pride Nite, and in 2024 became co-dance captain. Luke has also performed in several music videos and is both a line dance teacher and DJ with Bootleg and various other queer country events across LA and Long Beach.

He/Him

Matt Richey has been dancing Lindy Hop since the tender age of 11. His dance career started with a performance team, including dancing on cruise ships and at Disneyland. In 2004 Matt attended Camp Hollywood for the first time (he hasn’t missed a year since) and he quickly fell in love with what swing dancing can offer; not just Lindy Hop but all swing.

Since then he traveled all over the world learning from some of the world’s best dancers such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Jean Veloz, Sugar Sullivan and Chazz Young, and many others. Matt has also cross trained in several other dance styles including jazz, ballet, salsa and more.

In 2011 Matt started dancing West Coast Swing and knew this dance was just the added excitement he needed. Soon after, he started dancing in the showcase division and brought home trophies.

Over the years, Matt has won hundreds of titles in multiple styles of swing, including West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Balboa. He is becoming the most recognized crossover dancer in the circuit as well as being a familiar face on the social dance floor everywhere! In 2018 Matt was inducted to the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. As much as Matt loves swing dancing, he loves teaching and sharing his love for dancing and music just as much! He currently teaches adults and kids in several local schools and studios in Orange County.

He is known for fun loving energy, musicality, showmanship and performance.

He/Him

Michael Metzger began dancing in 2005 and immediately felt like he had found his tribe. Within a couple years he began teaching, and not long after he began choreographing. He loves bringing the joy of line dancing to as many people as possible, and he enjoys creating dances of diverse styles and difficulty levels. Something for everyone. He looks forward to seeing you in class, dancing, playing, and laughing.

He/Him

Rick Dominguez has been a club and mobile DJ for 40 years running. His residency at Oil Can Harry’s in Studio City became the place he’d call home for 26 years until they closed their doors in 2020. There he formed so many special bonds and memories with so many wonderful people, so much more than just friends, to this day, we still like to call our OCH Family!

Rick currently has established residency with Borderline Presents (formerly Borderline Bar & Grill) now runs several country dance nights catering to our 18+ line dancers with locations in Agoura Hills at the Canyon Club, MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita, Tarantula Hill Brewery in Thousand Oaks and Backstage Bar in Santa Barbara.

Monthly DJ & instructor gigs for Buckle & Boots in Lancaster, Trademark Brewing Co in Long Beach.“Hogtied” monthly queer country night at Precinct in DTLA every last Tuesday of the month, “Neon Country Night” at Strut in Coast Mesa, and “Country Nights” at Red Engine Brewery in Filmore, and the Ranch in Anaheim as a cover DJ, Rick is also co-creator of “Follow Your Arrow” bringing our OCH dance family together on special occasions at the Mayflower Social Club in North Hollywood.

Rick’s past residencies have included the now closed Flaming Saddles in West Hollywood and MJ’s in Silverlake. Other residencies include Micky’s, Here Lounge, Rage, and The Factory Backlot in West Hollywood. 90’s popular dance clubs like Encounters in Pasadena, The Lodge in North Hollywood, and Ozz in Buena Park. With Guest spots at various clubs including Daddy Issues, Cigar Bar, flashback 80’s music video night, Y2k and classic rock nights at The Bullet in North Hollywood. Rick is very versed in many genres and known for spinning everything from funky house, future house, club anthems, 70’s disco, 80’s HiNRG and Euro electronica, hip-hop, club remixes and mashups, EDM, latin, freestyle and 90’s house to classic country, country swing, and current top 40 pop and country hits.

As a line dance instructor and UCWDC World champion choreographer, Rick is known for dances like Crossing the Border, Call Me Señorita, Bambalam w/Jonno, Sweet Tea-Southbound, Dance Like Yo Daddy, Do Si Do, Loosen Up My Buttons, Blue Jeans On, You Look Good, Cherry Bottom Boom (U Gurl) w/Jonno & Adia, Everybody Have a Good Time, Ex’s & Oh’s w/Jonno, DMMD It, Shake It Like That w/Jonno, Giddy Up (We Don’t Want To Miss the Twain) w/Jonno, Been There Done That w/Jonno & Michael, Tequila Snaps, and my latest The Door (Show Me) and Help! (I Had Some) as well as several other local favorites.

Rick also DJ’s and teaches line dances throughout the country with various clubs and organizations like IAGLCWDC with stops in Austin, Miami, Phoenix, Denver, New Yorks Fire Island, Montreal, Las Vegas, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, Columbus, New Orleans, Louisville, Boise, San Diego, and Palm Springs.

Rick was very excited and proud to be invited to the first ever Disney Pride Nites last year and again this year at Disneyland’s The Golden Horseshoe, along with The LA Wranglers, where we taught line dancing and performed for the crowds all nite long. Truly a magical night we will treasure for a lifetime!

He/Him

Rob grew up hating country music, until one day when he walked into a gay bar and saw a group of men doing the two-step. Country music and two-stepping have been his obsession ever since… and he has the cowboy drag to prove it. Rob joins us from Palm Springs where he is the Director of and teaches at Dance Ranch Palm Springs. He also teaches at Sundance Saloon in San Francisco and the Emerald City Hoedown in Seattle.

She/Her

Music and dancing have surrounded Samantha her entire life. Being the daughter of Kelly (Buckwalter) Casanova, meant that every week she was tagging along to dances and workshops, doing her homework and playing her gameboy, while her mother worked to support the both of them. Halls, studios, and conventions became her playgrounds. It wasn’t until she was 10 years old and attended her mother’s convention, Swingbreak, that she actually wanted to learn what her mother did. It was at this event that she saw Jordan Frisbee and Jessica Cox perform a Junior routine and from that point on she wanted to be a dancer.

Samantha began competing in 2001 and traveling to more events out of state with her mother. She danced her first Juniors routine at the US Open with Ben Morris in 2002 and the following year with Rickey Andrade in 2003. At the time dancing was still a hobby as her passion was focused on martial arts. She was the youngest in her dojo to receive 1st dan (Black belt level) at 16. Her teaching career began at her dojo as she taught classes there to children and adults of all ages for 6 years.

Samantha had no intention of teaching or pursuing West Coast Swing as a career until 2006 at Capital Swing. It was there that she saw Kyle Redd and Sarah Van Drake perform their “How long can a fool go wrong” routine and truly fell in love with the dance. From that point on she began mentoring under her mother, assisting her classes and shadowing her as a judge to learn everything and anything she could about the dance. Samantha worked diligently to earn her points in every division up from the Junior, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and AllStar divisions to her current position competing with the top Champion dancers around the world.

Starting in 2007, Samantha was fortunate to study under Mario Robau Jr. She assisted him in workshops and intensives both in the US and abroad which she credits to her confident teaching foundation. During 2009-2010 Samantha was presented a once in a life time opportunity by her dear friend, Mike Rosa, to re-locate to London. It was there that she taught weekly classes, workshops, and events all over the UK and Europe in an effort to help the Swing community grow. After her adventures in Europe, Samantha was convinced by her brand new friend at the time, Malia San Nicoles, to move to Southern California, which is where she now calls home. Samantha was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2012 and, most recently in 2022. She continues to travel all over the world competing, coaching, and teaching with her partner Matt Richey.

One of Samantha’s proudest moments was becoming the first woman to final in a Champion’s division as a Leader, thanks to the help of Jennifer Deluca. From her very first dance lesson, Samantha’s mother taught her to lead and follow at the same time. This skill not only benefited Samantha’s teaching ability but also allowed her to be a role model to so many dancers wishing to learn the opposite role. Samantha and her mother are proud to support the movement in the West Coast Swing community to allow anyone to learn and compete in any role they so choose.

She/Her

Sheba Thone (Rhode Island) is in year 40(!)... of her existence, not of her line dancing life. She started line dancing in 2011, so she's an age-appropriate, energetic teen on the floor. Rain Country bought her into the queer club community fold, and for that, she is forever grateful. Sheba line dances as often as she can, and when she’s not line dancing, she’s wishing she was line dancing. She accepts spending time with her husband and dog doing a variety of non-dance activities while trying to get them both to dance. In addition to the queer club community, she line dances in the circuit community and the soul community. She is thankful for the opportunity to teach at WWLA.

(She/Her)

Line Dance
Night Club Two Step
San Francisco Two Step
Waltz
West Coast Swing

Sheila started tap dancing as a child and has not stopped moving her feet since. Calling Sundance Saloon in San Francisco home, she found a great dance venue in which to lead and follow. She has taught both partner and line dancing at various venues including: Sundance Saloon, Texas Rose Dance, Wrangler Weekend (WWLA), Mountain Magic and Burlingame Parks & Rec. Sheila has also performed with several performance groups, most notably: The Sundance Bandits, Clogging Express, The Saddle Tramps and Golden Gate Clogging Company.

He/Him

Terence first started country dancing in Atlanta in 2013 after a chance visit to Heretic’s Country Night with some friends. After it stirred his old memories of watching his parents’ ballroom dancing hobby, he was hooked and quickly picked up line dancing too! He began teaching line dancing to his fellow dancers at DanceOut Atlanta in 2019, including hosting virtual lessons during the pandemic, and has been teaching ever since!

He is so proud to be a part of the legacy of queer country dancing in Atlanta and what DanceOut Atlanta means to its many members as a space for queer community and connection. In 2025, he and his co-directors began laying the groundwork for Hoedown South, a queer country dance convention in Atlanta that debuted in the summer of 2026. He cannot thank WWLA enough for their unfailing guidance kindness, and support while planning Hoedown South, and he is excited and honored to teach at WWLA again this year!

Here is his bio:

Andrés Cedeño began partner dancing in college through salsa and country two-step before finding his main dance home in West Coast Swing. He discovered and fell in love with the LGBTQ+ partner dance community at Neon Boots in 2018, which led him to join and perform with The Mavericks at several IAGLCWDC events.

Andrés has been DJing West Coast Swing locally in Houston since 2019 and has DJed WCS rooms at several LGBTQ+ dance events, including Stompede, Reno Roundup, and LA Wrangler Weekend. As an up-and-coming DJ on the WCS competition circuit, his travels as both DJ and competitor keep him connected to the songs that are filling floors across the world. His sets feature new discoveries, classic favorites, and a variety of genres to keep the floor inspired. This is his third year at LA Wrangler Weekend behind the DJ booth, and he is excited to lead, follow, and switch all weekend!

She/Her

Once upon a time, Chris was a sound engineer and production manager of a prominent music venue and got to personally work with artists like Snoop Dogg, The Misfits, The RZA, members of The Foo Fighters, Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Black Sabbath, and the list goes on and on. Now she dedicates her passion to teaching line dance and DJing. She is grateful every day for all those who support her and attend her classes, socials, and events. Her current focus in teaching is in higher level line dances but she absolutely loves using her extensive knowledge to help others in ALL levels when she DJs at major events across the US. She also happily DJs partner dances as well, including WCS, waltz, CW2S, chacha, NC2S, hustle, ECS, etc.

(She/Her)

Since moving to California in 2007, Helen Tocco has made enduring contributions to the West Coast Swing community through her leadership, service, mentorship, and nearly two decades of excellence as a DJ. While she has competed successfully through the All-Star level, Helen is best known for the behind-the-scenes work that helps sustain and strengthen the social and competitive dance community.

Helen has been a foundational supporter of Southern California swing dancing for almost 20 years. She was the original DJ for Skinny’s Lounge with Demetre Souliotes and supported Ben Morris in launching his Wednesday and Thursday night dances. She has served on the SoCal Westy Board since 2013, helping produce Blackout Friday in Los Angeles, and for the past 3 years has also served on the SD Westie Board, helping operate WestieGroove in San Diego. She was also the principal DJ for Samantha Buckwalter’s highly regarded 50/50 dances and has supported countless local events, providing high-quality music that both introduces new artists and honors the musical roots of West Coast Swing.

Helen’s influence extends throughout California. Over the past 19 years, she has DJed at nearly every major California NASDE and WSDC event, including Boogie by the Bay, the U.S. Open, City of Angels, Jack and Jill O’Rama, Capital Swing, Swingtacular, All-Star SwingJam, The After Party, High Desert, Paradise, SwingDiego, FreZno, Reno Dance Sensation, Chico Dance Sensation, Palm Springs Dance Camps, and many others.

Equally important is her commitment to developing the next generation of DJs. Inspired by mentors such as Jack Smith, David Koppelman, and Louie St. George, Helen has consistently shared her knowledge, provided opportunities, and guided over 10 new DJs entering the community. Through her service, mentorship, and musical stewardship, Helen has helped shape and strengthen California’s West Coast Swing scene for nearly two decades.

Ingu Yun (he/him) DJs and teaches at the Sundance Saloon in San Francisco, as well as at various community events locally, and has DJ’d and/or taught at LGBTQ country-western dance weekends around the country, including IAGLCWDC conventions, WWLA, Hoedown in the Dunes, the Emerald City Hoedown, and the Sundance Stompede. He serves as the president of the Sundance Association for Country-Western Dancing, the nonprofit organization that produced the now-ended Sundance Stompede and continues to produce Sundance Saloon.

KIRA KULL (they/them) is one of the lead instructors at Stud Country in Los Angeles. They are thrilled to have taught, danced, or been a DJ at just about every queer line dance event in LA (incl. Bootleg, Hogtied, Outlaw, Do Si Don’tcha, Venice Western, Trans Pride LA, Weho Pride, & Long Beach Pride). With a background in classical and experimental theater, interfaith mysticism, and gender expansive history, it is Kira’s greatest delight to explore various modalities of creative expression that shine light on queer intergenerational pathways toward personal and collective healing and liberation. In addition to slinging coaster steps and grapevines, Kira is a PhD candidate in the Mythological Studies program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, a published author (WUSSY, MSJ), intersex consultant (Ponyboi), and public speaker (LA Public Library/Lucas Museum, ASWM, LA LGBT Center). @kkmiracle / www.kirakull.com

(he/him)

Luke will be getting married to the love of his life this September, and will be taking her last name. After they get married, he will be Luke Staples.

Luke Nelson is an interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, teacher, and dancer invested in movement as healing for marginalized bodies, particularly queer and trans bodies like his own. He explores this through several forms of dance, utilizing Contact Improvisation, improvisational scores, postmodern dance, and country line dance as his research. In 2022 Luke received his B.A. in Dance from the UCLA World Arts & Cultures/Dance department with a primary focus in Creative Inquiry as Research. In 2023 Luke joined the LA Wranglers and dove in headfirst, performing at events such as Stagecoach, Sundance Stompede, and Disney Pride Nite, and in 2024 became co-dance captain. Luke has also performed in several music videos and is both a line dance teacher and DJ with Bootleg and various other queer country events across LA and Long Beach.

He/Him

Rick Dominguez has been a club and mobile DJ for 40 years running. His residency at Oil Can Harry’s in Studio City became the place he’d call home for 26 years until they closed their doors in 2020. There he formed so many special bonds and memories with so many wonderful people, so much more than just friends, to this day, we still like to call our OCH Family!

Rick currently has established residency with Borderline Presents (formerly Borderline Bar & Grill) now runs several country dance nights catering to our 18+ line dancers with locations in Agoura Hills at the Canyon Club, MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita, Tarantula Hill Brewery in Thousand Oaks and Backstage Bar in Santa Barbara.

Monthly DJ & instructor gigs for Buckle & Boots in Lancaster, Trademark Brewing Co in Long Beach.“Hogtied” monthly queer country night at Precinct in DTLA every last Tuesday of the month, “Neon Country Night” at Strut in Coast Mesa, and “Country Nights” at Red Engine Brewery in Filmore, and the Ranch in Anaheim as a cover DJ, Rick is also co-creator of “Follow Your Arrow” bringing our OCH dance family together on special occasions at the Mayflower Social Club in North Hollywood.

Rick’s past residencies have included the now closed Flaming Saddles in West Hollywood and MJ’s in Silverlake. Other residencies include Micky’s, Here Lounge, Rage, and The Factory Backlot in West Hollywood. 90’s popular dance clubs like Encounters in Pasadena, The Lodge in North Hollywood, and Ozz in Buena Park. With Guest spots at various clubs including Daddy Issues, Cigar Bar, flashback 80’s music video night, Y2k and classic rock nights at The Bullet in North Hollywood. Rick is very versed in many genres and known for spinning everything from funky house, future house, club anthems, 70’s disco, 80’s HiNRG and Euro electronica, hip-hop, club remixes and mashups, EDM, latin, freestyle and 90’s house to classic country, country swing, and current top 40 pop and country hits.

As a line dance instructor and UCWDC World champion choreographer, Rick is known for dances like Crossing the Border, Call Me Señorita, Bambalam w/Jonno, Sweet Tea-Southbound, Dance Like Yo Daddy, Do Si Do, Loosen Up My Buttons, Blue Jeans On, You Look Good, Cherry Bottom Boom (U Gurl) w/Jonno & Adia, Everybody Have a Good Time, Ex’s & Oh’s w/Jonno, DMMD It, Shake It Like That w/Jonno, Giddy Up (We Don’t Want To Miss the Twain) w/Jonno, Been There Done That w/Jonno & Michael, Tequila Snaps, and my latest The Door (Show Me) and Help! (I Had Some) as well as several other local favorites.

Rick also DJ’s and teaches line dances throughout the country with various clubs and organizations like IAGLCWDC with stops in Austin, Miami, Phoenix, Denver, New Yorks Fire Island, Montreal, Las Vegas, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, Columbus, New Orleans, Louisville, Boise, San Diego, and Palm Springs.

Rick was very excited and proud to be invited to the first ever Disney Pride Nites last year and again this year at Disneyland’s The Golden Horseshoe, along with The LA Wranglers, where we taught line dancing and performed for the crowds all nite long. Truly a magical night we will treasure for a lifetime!

L.A. based, queer line dance group with a focus on building community care, sharing the joy of movement, and making space for all bodies to belong.

https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_dance?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Run by married couple Pony & Paris - professional country line dancers, choreographers, creative directors and vibe curators, DSD is a line dancing experience that combines styles, dances and techniques from around the world. We focus on inclusivity, unison and that feeling when you nail a dance and look hot doing it. Our mission is to create spaces and experiences that mindfully and intentionally bridge gaps between communities, to naturally encourage evolution and mutual respect.

Commonality breeds safety. Safety breeds connection. Connection breeds education. So on and so forth.

At the end of the day….. we’re just dancing… see you out there !!

Remember - be nice to each other.

https://www.dosidontcha.world/

A monthly LGBTQ+ friends dance event in Long Beach, CA

https://beacons.ai/theroundup

Stud Country is born from the legacy of queer dance spaces and honors the rich history of LGBTQ cowboy culture. They teach partner dancing and classic era line dances from disco to nineties country, while mixing in new genre pop songs. They believe line dancing should be easy, fun and accessible. All bodies and all levels are welcome.

https://studcountry.us/