Thibault Ramirez & Nicole Ramirez (FRANCE/USA)
Thibault and Nicole first met in 2015 with the only mutual language they had being dance. He didn’t speak English and she didn’t speak French but they effortlessly connected on the dance floor. They communicated through google translate and made plans to becoming a partnership in the next few years. Finally in January 2019, they started their partnership, quickly building a strong base and at the same time, falling in love with each other.
They became the World Champions of 2019 with their Showcase routine, and they immediately began traveling all over the world teaching, performing, judging, and competing. They are in high demand at all events and congresses for their performances, knowledge, and love for this dance. Even during the pandemic, their passion pushed them to work on their skills, creating and performing mini routines and improvising daily to continue to grow, develop their style even more, and to hopefully keep their community inspired. They choreograph routines and coach dancers all around the world with an emphasis on technique and precision.
They are the creators of Unit Dance Center, a developing platform for dancers to learn and grow in WCS and Flash Choreo, a mini choreography intensive for dancers to challenge themselves and perform a routine in events.
They also run an event called Unit Dance Festival, which pushes dancers to learning choreography and performing for a professional camera crew.
They have developed a great rhythm teaching classes and intensives together, offering great technique in a relaxed and fun environment. With over 20 years of knowledge in West Coast Swing and other partner and solo dances, their teaching style is very appreciated everywhere they go and benefits dancers of all styles. Their emotive, passionate spirits shine when they are on stage and while teaching. They love to motivate their students to excel and reach their maximum potential. Their personalities are very energetic and open to connecting with people, on and off the dance floor.
Check them out here….
Thibault Ramirez & Nicole Ramirez "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - Routines - Budafest 2023
and if you still haven't had enough...
Maxence Martin & Virginie Grondin (FRANCE)
Virginie Grondin is one of the best West Coast Swing dancers in Europe right now, and she is progressively proving herself in the United States. In particular, she won the UK Open and the Midland Swing Open in 2010. She placed in the Champions division at three of the biggest american events : Boogie By the Bay (San Francisco), Madjam (Washington) and Swing Diego (San Diego).
Virginie began her dance training when she was only five years old. Beginning with the rock’n'roll and the Boogie, she moved to individual dances, like modern jazz, classical and contemporary dance. She studied in the National Superior Dance Conservatory and succeeded in the technical final examination. She discovered West Coast Swing in 2007 and since, she’s growing very quickly in the community, thanks to her previous training and her natural talent for this dance.
Maxence Martin, a former Champion and Black belt in Judo, he started his career in dancing with Lindy Hop. He soon he fell in love with WCS and started his training in 2007 alongside the Best dancers in California. In less than a year he became a contestant in the “Champions” category in the USA. Maxence is now the only French dancer to have won the title of Champion in West Coast Swing..
He recently won the Best International Award at the 2011 Westie Awards Nominations. He performed his two first routines at the US Open, partnering with the famous Kelese Key (Texas). Maxence is an exceptional dancer and one of the most touching and appreciated of his generation.
He now travels the world to share his knowledge and passion for this dance. His unique style of teaching is infectious and enthuses you to want to learn more!
Check them out here….
Maxence Martin & Virginie Grondin Show Baltic Swing 2015
and if you still haven't had enough...
Maxence Martin & Virginie Grondin - 2014 US Open Classic Division
Daniel Pavlov & Maria Elizerova (RUS)
We are super excited to introduce……
Maria and Daniel a new pairing this year whilst Semion takes a well earned break from dancing.
Daniel discovered WCS in 2013 and quickly fell in love with the dance. Having tried many social partner dances prior to that point, West Coast Swing stood out as an art form with unending possibilities in musicality, partnership and self-expression. Today, these reasons still remain the foundation for his dedication and love for WCS.
In addition to more than a decade of experience teaching dance, Daniel likes to use knowledge from martial arts, psychology, music, sports and parkour to supplement his students’ learning. His aim in class is to strike a balance between efficient growth and simple light fun that can be shared by all.
Daniel trains regularly, teaches all over the globe, and competes in the All-Star division. His passion for West Coast Swing runs deep and having the ability to share it with others is something he is endlessly grateful for every single time!
Maria has been dancing since 2007. In 2008 she fell in love with social partner dances. She started learning hustle/discofox and salsa. She had been dancing hustle and discofox for 4 years, working on her solo choreography as well when West Coast Swing came in to her dancing life. After that she couldn't stop dancing WCS. She enjoys the versatility of the dance, bringing new emotions, options for musicality and styling to every dance.
We are excited about seeing this new pairing in action! They are great teachers and dancers individually, we are looking forward to what they will create together.
Check Maria out here:
Semion & Maria - US Open 2017 Classic
… and Daniel here:
Leo & Karin (France/Israel)
Karin Kakun has been dancing all her life. She holds a university dance degree and has now taught dance for more than 14 years. She teaches
WCS, Hip-Hop, stretching, pole dance. She also choreograph and performs. Before starting dancing WCS, she was the Israeli salsa
champion.
Karin started her WCS career in 2014 and from the first moment she fell in love. She is now competing both in All Star and Champion divisions and
teaching in Israel, where she directs a West Coast Swing line of classes.
She actively travels and teaches all around Europe.
Léo excelled in dance competitions, particularly in Jack and Jills, where he showcased his improvisation skills. In an astonishingly short period, he climbed the ranks and achieved the coveted « All Star » category in just three years. His accolades include four world champion titles in Novice (2016), Intermediate (2017), and ProAm (2017) categories, as well as Advanced as a follower in 2022. Léo also secured a remarkable second place at the European Championships in Budapest in the prestigious All Star category in 2022.
As a dedicated teacher, Léo continues to refine his skills by training with renowned dancers and instructors. He has learned from the best in West Coast Swing, including Kyle Red, Jordan Frisbee, Robert Royston, and Benji Schwimmer.
Check them out here:
Leo Lorenzo & Karin Kakun - 1st place All Star J&J - Baltic Swing 2023
… and if you still haven’t had enough…
