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...
Glenn Ball & Marina Motronenko (USA/UK/Russia)
Glenn Ball
Glenn Ball is a world-renowned swing dancer and Choreographer, coaching and developing couples all over the world.
Glenn knocked the socks off the swing circuit when he became the first-ever Englishman to achieve a top 5 placement in a routine division, taking 3rd place in the US Open.
While based in Austin, Texas, Glenn’s work continues to call him across the world; teaching, choreographing, competing, MCing, and showing his love for this awesome dance form.
Glenns been in full swing since 2015, when he hit the couples dance world and stepped into the West Coast Swing circuit. He rose up through the divisions, winning competitions in Europe and The US competing in the Showcase Division.
After placing 3rd in the World Renowned US Open, Glenn also won a The Open Strictly division and co-choreographed the Go Dance Cabaret Routine and Swing Team which both took 2nd place in their divisions.
In 2019, with it being the first degendered year at The US Open. Glenn, in is usual style, had an idea to mix things up and dance with fellow Brit Callum Powell. This would be the first ever time 2 males had hit the US Open dance floor together and boy, did they steal the show. They shook up the competition and swung into 3rd place creating a historic moment that may never be repeated.
Glenn is quickly becoming one of the leading Swing and Couples dancers, teachers, choreographers and judges in the world. His knowledge and style are as diverse as his dynamic background in dancing, showcasing his boundless passion as a movement-based creative.
Marina Motronenko
Experienced dancer and performer for over 30 years.
Started at the age of 6 with Artistic Gymnastics, then moved to Sports Ballroom Dancing for 8 years. Later switched to Jazz Modern and Classical Ballet dance styles, performing on the Big Stage for 5 years.
In 2007, discovered the world of social dances. Passionate in various styles such as: salsa, zouk, tango, and hustle. In 2008, fully immersed in West Coast Swing. Learned from top teachers, and participated in international competitions.
2015−2022 — Choreographed 3 routines in partnership with Pavel Katunin under the guidance of mentors Gary McIntyre and Susan Kirklin.
Check them out here….
Glenn Ball & Marina Motronenko Rolling Swing
and if you still haven't had enough...
Semion & Maria (RUS)
We are super excited to introduce……
Semion & Maria!! Semion took a well earned break from dancing in 2024 but he is back! Full of energy and his usual fabulous knowledge that will excite you in their workshops!
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 Semion & Maria out 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…
