2019 Instructors

The 2019 instructors are below. We will confirm the 2021 instructors before the 2021 camp!

Jenna Chalmers

Camp Swing Co-Director Jenna Chalmers has been teaching and performing dance since 1993. She has appeared in music videos, advertisements, and commercials. You may have seen her flying through the air on the Washington Mutual posters or in the Sony Tri-Star film “The Thirteenth Floor.” She has performed on-stage with The Brian Setzer Orchestra and The Manhattan Transfer, and worked with GAP, Hewlett-Packard, Macys, and Pixar Animation Studios, to name a few. Jenna has been a member and choreographer for the performance groups “Bay City Boogie,” “Retro Cabaret,” “Le CanCan Bijou,” and “The Decobelles.” She is an accomplished irish ceili dancer and travels the world to learn new forms of dance. She has appeared on TV and National Public Radio as an expert in the field of swing dance. Jenna has trained, taught, competed, and judged internationally, including “Monsters of Swing,”the National Lindy Hop Championships, Swing For Choice, “Blast From the Past”, and the “World Swing Championships” in London.

At camp: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997

Jeff Kroll

Jeff Kroll has been swing dancing since 1996, and teaching and competing nationally since 2004. He has danced on TV and for the big screen, and has performed, taught, and DJed at countless public and private events.

While Jeff enjoys all styles of swing dancing, he has a particular fondness for Balboa-Swing, dancing and teaching it almost every chance he gets. His love for dancing and his desire to share it is reflected in the enthusiasm and positive energy he brings to his classes. Jeff infuses everything with fun and creativity, even the most technical of details, and he is known for the relaxed, patient individual attention and encouraging guidance he gives.

At camp: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008

John Ratto & Charissa Ratto

John and Charissa are the 2007 San Francisco Shag Jam Champions. Traveling with a professional dance troupe, they have given instruction and been a part of performances all over the state. Some of their other accomplishments include: 3rd at the 2007 National Jitterbug Champions in the Pro Collegiate Shag Division, as well as winning several local competitions. In their passion for dancing, John and Charissa hope to help everyone learn and enjoy this historic dance and keep swing alive. Their focus for students is to become comfortable quickly and enjoy themselves on a social dance floor.

At camp: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

Iris and Kirk Tarou

Iris and Kirk Tarou both discovered Lindy Hop in 2005. They were first introduced later that year at The 9:20 Special and began taking classes and dancing together regularly, becoming close friends and dance partners shortly thereafter. Fast forward to 2009 – their love for Lindy Hop (and now for each other) led them to running The 9:20 Special (weekly Lindy Hop classes and dancing in San Francisco), which they’ve been doing ever since. They have become staples within the San Francisco Bay Area Lindy Hop scene, as venue & event organizers and instructors. When taking classes with these two you’ll quickly realize their passion for this dance and the community – bringing smiles to the students’ faces while explaining movements clearly and concisely.

At camp: 2019, 2018

Heidi Salerno

Heidi has been dancing jazz, ballet and tap her entire life and she was so excited when partner dancing found her in 1999 in her favorite city – San Francisco. She quickly became a serious competitor, winning national and international titles. From there, Heidi was swept away into the whirlwind of International dance teaching, and she has traveled the country and the globe teaching swing to thousands of students. She also teaches classes in the homes of countless students with her Instructional swing dance DVDs. Heidi has even flashed on the screen of Dancing with the Stars and was honored to be inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2005.

You name a dance and Heidi will dance it with her own personal style, flare and grace. Her repertoire includes Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, Charleston and even some big air. Her latest favorite is West Coast swing and when she’s not swing dancing, chances are she’s out Salsa or Bachata dancing or playing with her teenage daughter whose first Camp Swing experience was when she was only five months old.

Heidi’s years of dance training and instruction allow her to teach technical dance proficiency while still engaging her students in the fun and joy of the dance. She encourages everyone to make the dance their own and always brings smiles and laughter into her classes. She provides the leads what they need to be the follower’s favorite and encourages the followers to hone in on their special skills and to not shy away from their femininity.

At camp: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

Cari Siess-Bartholomew

Cari Siess-Bartholomew is in her 25th year coaching Womens’ Artistic gymnastics and is currently a Director at the most successful gymnastics club in Southern California, JAG GYM. On the swing scene, she has been teaching and performing since 1995 and has gained numerous professional credits and awards, including appearances in videos for Brian Setzer, Cherry Poppin Daddies, John Lee Hooker, Santana, and she graces the cover of the subculture book “Swing The New Retro Renaissance”. As an early pioneer in bringing Lindy Hop into the nightclub scene, Cari, with long- time partner Johnny Swing, taught hundreds of people to dance with their easygoing and entertaining style. Cari was the co-creator of the wildly successful “San Francisco Swing Jam” in the 90’s and was a guest instructor and performer for multiple years at the famous Monsters of Swing in Ventura. More recently, Cari performed on stage with The Brian Setzer Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl to sold out audiences. You may have seen her son, Levi, running around Camp Swing, who also recently made an appearance on stage as a mini Setzer with a blue flaming guitar and a pompadour to boot! Cari’s latest music video appearance can be seen in the “King of Jive,” by the Jive Aces out of London. Now, in it’s 21st year, Cari continues to be the original inspiration for our favorite little camp in the woods, Camp Swing.

At camp: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997

Colleen Sollars

A long time camp organizer and instructor, Colleen has an extensive background in performance and she has been dancing for over 20 years. Especially passionate about swing, she has studied many dance styles including jazz, salsa, hip-hop, tap, Afro-Haitian, Irish & English country dance, ballroom and most recently fallen in love with contemporary dance. Colleen has performed with Bay City Boogie and the Swing Cats Rhythm Review, as well as being featured in industry and music videos way back in the day. She has choreographed shows and taught various dance styles at American Conservatory Theater, Santa Rosa Junior College, Las Positas College and The Willows Theatre Company, as well as teaching and performing at private events and parties throughout the bay area.

At camp: 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

Cortneay Rothen

We are thrilled to have Cortneay joining us for her first Camp Swing in 2019! Cortneay has been a highly visible, and much sought after "Super Salsera" in the Bay Area social dance scene for over 20 years. Besides the traditional Latin Partner Dances (Salsa, Bachata, Cha-Cha, Mambo) she has dance experience in Modern and Argentine Tango and she loves to dance free form to various genres of electronic music. She teaches Salsa monthly at the Sausalito Seahorse and has numerous public and private performance accolades. Her easy, engaging style will get you both comfortable and inspired.

At camp: 2019

Camille Parsons

Camille is a former professional dancer from Los Angeles who has danced since age 4. She has been a member of Victor Moreno’s Spanish-American Ballet Co. and danced for many years as a member of the Moro-Landis Dancers (Harrah’s Clubs in Reno/Tahoe), USO shows in Hollywood, on the Tomorrowland stage at Disneyland and more.

Since moving to the Mendocino Coast she had her own dance studio (Second Story Dance Studios) for 31 years and started the Spring Dance Concerts. She was also on the teaching staff of College of the Redwoods for 30 years and choreographed many shows (including 10 years for the Gloriana Opera Co.).

Camille teaches ballet, jazz and tap dance with an emphasis on each student finding their own “voice” within the style. Her classes are fun and welcoming to all!

At camp: 2019

More instructors soon to be announced for 2019!