Background (please note that this website is still under development)
Morry & Nina have been dancing and teaching various forms of Swing dancing for over 10 years. They both started with Lindy Hop, the original form of Swing that combined elements of both solo and partner dancing by using the movements and improvisation of historic African-American dances in a new eight count framework. Once introduced to this style of dance in mid 90s, Morry traveled extensively both nationally and internationally to take instructions from the top Lindy Hoppers in the world, such as Jenny Thomas and Ryan Francois, Frankie Manning, Steven Mitchell and others. In the late 90s, Morry started to teach in Connecticut and also formed a performance group that performed at various entertainment events, including at Foxwoods Casino and for the Brian Setzer Orchestra. That is when he met Nina, who was one of the dancers and students in his class. They got married in 2000 and currently live in Kittery, ME with their four young children.
In the past several years, they have developed an interest in West Coast Swing, which is a more sensual form of Swing done to Rhythm and Blues, as well as to Contemporary music. West Coast Swing is a very popular social dance with many proficient communities throughout the United States, and now throughout Europe. Nina and Morry have been active participants in the Boston area West Coast Swing circuit and continue learning from top instructors and pros in the area such as Robert Cordoba and Deborah Szekely, Bill Cameron & Yuna Davtyan, Heidi and Larry Mongeau, Ann Fleming & Eric Jacobson. In 2010, Nina and Morry also trained under Mario Robau "Jr" Intensive Dance & Instructor Training in CT and Robert Royston's intensive in MA. They travel extensively throughout the New England area and participate & successfully compete in events and national competitions in the West Coast Swing dance circuit. Recently, Nina took 3rd place in a very competitive national competition, while 7 months pregnant! She and her partner, Rob Glover, also took the first place the recent New England dance festival.
Nina and Morry realize that this style of dance is underdeveloped in Maine and seacoast New Hampshire and people from those areas have to travel great distances to receive quality instruction or to social dance. They worked with the Mainiac Swing Dance Society to set up monthly West Coast Swing dances in Portland and to bring high level professionals to teach workshops. They teach West Coast Swing in Portland, The University of New Hampshire, and now along the Seacoast. In 2008, they taught a very successful West Coast Swing workshop at the Portsmouth Ballroom dance studio. Nina and Morry's primary goal is to build and develop a community of West Coast Swing dancers in Maine and seacoast New Hampshire. They strive to provide quality instruction in the style and technique of this versatile dance while creating a fun and relaxing atmosphere for people to make new friends and to socialize.