Jason Herron & Andrée-Anne (Andie) Tremblay (Quebec, Canada)
Jason Herron and Andrée-Anne Tremblay instantly connected on the dance floor. It led them to second place at the Eastern Balboa Championships in their first competition together and continued with them winning a string of competitions together, including the 2009 International Balboa Championships (Balboa Rendezvous) and the 2009 Twin Cities Balboa Festival. They’ve taught in Canada, the US and France. Andie started dancing and performing when she was only 3 years old and has studied both Ballet and Jazz. She has a degree in microbiology and works towards eliminating the world’s most infectious diseases (like Bad-balboa-itis). Jason started swing dancing in Detroit in 1999, following the swing revival. He has a degree in kinesiology (the study of movement), accompanied with a teaching certificate. Jason also likes ketchup, early 90’s rap and Coke bottles with only Coke in them because anything else would be bad. Together they organize the Canadian Balboa Championships in Quebec City, October 1-3, 2010. Check it out at www.CanadianBalboaChampionships.com
Frederic Barbe & Patricia Brodeur
(Montreal, Canada)
In 2004, Frederic had to make a decision of which of his passions to follow and decide to spend most of his time dancing. Not long after he discovered balboa and became obsessed with it. Not shortly after Jason Herron moved to his hometown, which changed everything. With Jason's help and the help other international teachers’, Frederic was ready to start his career in the competition world. In 2008, with his new partner Patricia Brodeur, Frederic joined Studio 88-SWING in Montreal and found the “Ballistic”, the second balboa team in Montreal. The same year, he became the first Canadian to win the American Classic Balboa Championships amateur division. From there, his adventure truly began. He was accepted for the Experiement 2009, hired to teach both for the Montreal Balboa Review and the Canadian Balboa Championship. Lately, Frederic has placed in almost every competition he has competed in: Rocky Balboa Blowout 2009, TCBF 2009, Swingtime in the Rockies, Canadian Balboa Championships 2009 and the Eastern Balboa Championships 2009. Above all of this, Frederic’s real kick is to communicate his passion to others and to keep inspiring those who need a model. Frederic continues pushing himself further and deeper in the infinite world of Balboa.
Dancing since her childhood, Patricia was accepted in the Swinging Air Force, a performance team, in January 2006. She first discovered the Charleston and danced with the Sultry Flappers who happened to win the first place in the Canadian Swing Championship cabaret division two years in row (2006/2007). Her talent was quickly noticed within the SAF and supported by her education degree; she joined Studio 88-SWING and helped them to further develop their teaching program. Shortly after she met her partner Frederic Barbe, who introduced her to Balboa, she won the Canadian Balboa Championships 2008 J&J division. Continuing with her want to share her passion for Balboa she created a new balboa team in Montreal, the SAF Ballistic. This same year, she became the first Canadian to win the American Classic Balboa Championships amateur division with her partner. From there, all the pieces have come together. She was accepted for the Experiment 2009, and has taught at the Montreal Balboa Review and the Canadian Balboa Championships. She has also distinguished herself in many competitions, like the TCBF 2009 (1st place J&J division), the Canadian Balboa Championships 2009 (1st place open couple) and the Eastern Balboa Championships 2009 (1st place open J&J) . Nice and genuine, she will welcome you with open arms to share one of her most sacred passion, the BALBOA!
Corey & Susan Manke
(Nashville, Tennessee)
Corey & Susan have been dancing balboa for over 6 years. During this time, they have studied with many national & international instructors but have been most inspired by: David Rehm, Nick Williams, Bobby White, Kate Hedin, Laura Keat, Jeremy Ott, Marty & Jen Lau, Marty Klempner & Valerie Salstrom. Corey & Susan are one of the few balboa instructors in the southeast and have been teaching workshops & private lessons for 6 years. Their focus is to demystify the dance of balboa and make dancers comfortable enough to mix into their regular social dancing. Although they rarely compete, their most recent national placements include 3rd place in the Amateur Strictly at ABW 2009, 7th place at ABW & EBC 2008 in the Amateur Strictly. Corey has also placed in the national Amateur Jack & Jill competition at ABW (5th place in 2009, 3rd place in 2008) and has been a finalist in several other competitions. They have also recently been accepted to The Experiment 2010. This is their 4th year organizing the Nashville Balboa Experience.