Instructors
Nick Peterson
Nick has been dancing since he
was only a senior in high school. Originally, he studied Lindyhop and its related dances with
some of the best in the world. In 2002, he won the "Showtime Not At The Apollo" division of the
"American LindyHop Championships". In 2006, he and current partner Brandy Little, took 1st place
in the "Jitterbug Contest" at the "National Jitterbug Championships". He is also the 2008
recipient of the ""Golden Budgee" Award" for contributions to Jitterbug. Nick has been teaching
in Las Vegas and all over the country, including at the largest North American dance camp,
"Camp Hollywood", for the last 8 years. Between 2003 & 2006, he was the Swing Dance Instructor
for the "University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV)". Nick has performed for some of the countries
biggest swing bands and celebrities, including: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Brian Setzer, Royal Crown
Revue, Hugh Hefner & Playboy, Cisco Systems, Budweiser, and just about every major casino in town.
Dance Styles Taught: Lindyhop, Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, Charleston, Balboa, Shag, Classic Swing
Years Dancing: 10
Years Teaching: 8
Phone: (702) 480-4140
Dean Curtis
Dean started dancing in 2005 and was first
taught by Nick Peterson. Since then, he has primarily studied Lindyhop under some of the most accomplished
lindyhoppers. He has a deep passion for the history of swing dancing, the music and the movement. He
believes in the connection between a lead and follow, and that all movements stem from that connection.
He teaches with a fun energy but with emphasis on the development of connection within the lead and follow.
Contact Dean at dean@swingvegasswing.com or give him a call if you’re interested in private lessons.
Competitions:
- 1st Place – 2009 National Jitterbug Championships Amateur Jack & Jill, Los Angeles, CA
- 4th Place – 2009 National Jitterbug Championships Amateur Lindy Hop, Los Angeles, CA
- 1st Place – 2010 Aruba 5th Anniversary Invitational Jack & Jill, Las Vegas, NV
- 1st Place – 2008-2009 SwingDiego Jack & Jill, San Diego, CA
- 2nd Place – 2008-2009 SwingDiego Lindy Hop, San Diego, CA
- 2nd Place – 2008 Inspiration Weekend Strictly Lindy, Los Angeles, CA
- 1st Place – 2008 Aruba 3rd Anniversary Jack & Jill, Las Vegas, NV
- 2nd Place – 2007 Aruba Pro-Am, Las Vegas, NV
Dance Styles Taught: Lindyhop, Charleston
Years Dancing: 6
Years Teaching: 4
Phone: (702) 769-2442
Brandy Little
Swing Dancing has been an integral
part of Brandy's life for the better part of a decade. She has placed in several national competitions,
and won the National Jitterbug Championship in 2006. When she is not traveling to different swing dance
competitions and events, Brandy works corporate gigs all throughout Las Vegas and is featured on the
Fremont Street light show with her dance partner Nick Peterson. Brandy is best known for her smooth,
classy style woven with creative energy. Her lessons emphasize solid follow and lead technique, skills
for improvisation, musicality, and the fundamentals of styling. She can also assist with aerial technique
and choreography. Most importantly, she enjoys the spirit that swing dancing emanates and wants to share
that passion. Brandy is available for private lessons.
Dance Styles Taught: Swing Dancing including Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Charleston, Balboa, Shag, and Solo Jazz
Years Dancing: 8
Years Teaching: 5
Phone: (702) 493-6366
Mark Brunton
Mark has been the promoter and head DJ
at the Aruba Swings venue in Las Vegas for over three years. He has placed 5th place in both the am
lindy and pro/am competitions in the National Jitterug Championships. His passion for teaching is
matched only by his passion for acting, which tend to go hand in hand. He is a staunch advocate for
"edutainment" and tries to keep his classes both educational and fun.
Dance Styles Taught: Lindyhop, Charleston, Shag, Balboa
Years Dancing: 9
Years Teaching: 4
Phone: (702) 236-6792
Hilary Billings
While Hilary has only been dancing since 2007, she has studied
under national champions and is constantly looking to improve her dance technique. Hilary has successfully competed locally and regionally.
In 2009, she placed 1st in the Aruba's Annual Open Jack and Jill Contest (Las Vegas, NV), the 19th Annual Desert Challenge Dancesport
Championship’s Open Lindy Competition (Las Vegas, NV), and the Downtown Stomp’s Amateur Jack and Jill Contest (Salt Lake City, Utah).
She took 3rd place that same year in the Aruba Open Solo Charleston Contest (Las Vegas, NV). Hilary placed 2nd at Swing San Diego New
Year 2008-2009 in both the Open Lindyhop Division and the Open Blues Division. She took 2nd in the Aruba's Amateur Jack and Jill in
2008 (Las Vegas, NV) and 1st place in the Vegas Dancesport Series’ Open Lindyhop Competition in 2007 (Las Vegas, NV).
Hilary's drive has led her to have a successful and rewarding career in teaching. She founded and was president of the UNLV Lindyhop Dance Club. She also founded an outreach dance mentor-ship program for Clark County School District students. Additionally, she provides guest lectures for the UNLV Sex, Dance, and Entertainment classes on the history of 20th century dance. Hilary has also had the pleasure of guest-teaching with Augie Freeman at The Atomic Ballroom (Orange County, CA) and has had the honor of working with internationally acclaimed dancers such as Yuval Hod and Minn Vo. She currently teaches at The Aruba Hotel and Spa with Mark Brunton.
Dance Styles Taught: Lindyhop, Charleston, Shag, Balboa, Burlesque
Years Dancing: 3
Years Teaching: 2
Phone: (702) 324-5756
Donnie Carl
Donnie Carl started dancing at the
ripe old age of 8. He started with Country and worked his way through the Ballroom and Latin dances
(both American and International Styles), West Coast Swing and Theater Arts, training under World Champions
in each of their respective styles. Over the last 17 years, Donnie has been a professional competitor
in Ballroom, Latin, Country Western, and Swing, and has held multiple titles in each. Although he has
retired from competition in most of these forms, he is still currently competing in West Coast Swing and
Theater Arts. Based in Las Vegas, he currently teaches and judges internationally, coaching dancers from
the very beginner to competitive level, in all forms of partner dance.
Dance Styles Taught: West Coast Swing, Lindy, East Coast Swing, Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Country Western, Theater Arts (Adagio)
Years Dancing: 30
Years Teaching: 20
Phone: (702) 274-1207
Regina Shpigel
Regina Shpigel started dancing at the
age of 9 in Ukraine, studying International Style Ballroom and Latin. After moving to the United
States, she continued her International training as well as taking on American Style Smooth and
Rhythm. At age 16, she began training under World Champions, including Chris Johnston, Russell
Jackson, and Mark Sullivan, and was teaching by age 18. At 19, Regina went on to conquer Lindy,
East Coast Swing, Salsa, and most recently, West Coast Swing and Theater Arts. Youth Latin Champion,
Champion of the Professional Division New England Salsa Competition, and a former coach of the Colombian
Folklore Ballet of Boston are a few of the accomplishments over her 20 year dance career. Currently
based in Las Vegas, Regina is traveling internationally, teaching and coaching dancers of all levels,
in a multitude of styles.
Dance Styles Taught: West Coast Swing, Lindy, East Coast Swing, Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Country Western, Theater Arts (Adagio)
Years Dancing: 20
Years Teaching: 10
Phone: (617) 233-4935
Lynn Martinez
I am a choreographer, dance director and teacher. I
host the Las Vegas Dance Finale and have since 1988. I am a member of the UCWDC. I am a teacher at Stoney's Rockin Country in
Las Vegas, four nights a week (Thurs. thru Sun.). Dances taught at Stoney's include line, west coast, two-step, night club, and
east coast, I am director and choreographer of Stoney's Rockin Country dance team, and was the same for the AAA division Las Vegas
Wranglers. I also teach on cruise ships and do dance shows for Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Dance Styles Taught: Country, Latin, Swing, Ballroom, Clogging, Hip-Hop
Years Dancing: 40
Years Teaching: 30
Phone: (702) 239-2268