Desiree Roffers (she/her)
Desiree has loved dancing her whole life. At the age of four, she began learning Irish Dance. Soon after, she was competing around the country and started teaching dance in early middle school. Around 2002, Desiree switched her focus to swing dancing and began studying Lindy Hop, Blues, Collegiate Shag, and Balboa. Desiree continues to travel to swing dance events around the world to learn, teach, and compete. She has received swing dance awards from events across North America. Desiree has three graduate degrees in education and provides training for teachers in Chicago public schools. She is currently working on her PhD in Instructional Technology. In 2011, Desiree started Chitown Swing Dance, and she remains dedicated to growing the swing dance scene in Chicago and across the globe. As an instructor and swing dance organizer, Desiree values inclusive practices, trauma-informed approaches, and social justice.
Ian Dawson (he/him)
Ian came to the world of Swing Dance through his love of vintage clothing and jazz music. Once mentioning to a vintage friend he was ‘tired of standing around at parties without knowing what to do’ they pointed him to the Cat’s Corner in San Francisco and he never looked back. Ian has helped to run Shag scenes in San Francisco and Houston, competed and placed in competitions all over the globe, and has taught local workshops and classes all over the US. He is excited to be joining Great Lakes Shag Escape as an instructor — to share his passion for this dance with you! He focuses on the improvisational aspect of the dance, rhythm, and a comfortable connection.
Jeron Tuell (he/him)
Jeron has loved dancing since he was a kid, from dancing hip hop or just dancing around the house he could not stop dancing. Since starting swing dancing in college in 2017, he has always wanted to spread his love for dance by teaching and attending social dances. He loves to teach Collegiate Shag, Balboa, and Lindyhop and he wants to give people the room to explore their own creativity and make dancing more welcoming for everyone in and outside of the classroom. Outside of dancing, he loves playing video games, reading manga, and learning about cybersecurity and is always open to talk about them.
Laura Keat (she/they)
Laura Keat began her swing dance lifestyle in 2000. Laura’s love for swing & jazz music pushed her to expand her dance journey deep into Lindy Hop and other swing dance styles such as Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Solo Jazz and Charleston. After winning international titles in Lindy, Bal & Shag, exploring social dancing and competing in her non-primary role as a lead has been a natural extension to her social dancing passions. As an instructor, she brings a fresh perspective to her classes, working to develop foundations in partnering for the express purpose of creating opportunities for individual expression and voice in response to the music. When Laura isn’t on the dance floor she can be found with her dog hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains, enjoying the beautiful Colorado sunshine or a good book in a great coffee shop.