Who We Are
We exist to inspire balboa and classic swing dancing in the greater Cleveland area, and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment to engage with traditional, historic, and culturally significant dances, while promoting artistic expression, learning, and community connection.
Meet Our Instructors
Steffanie A.K. Schilling
Steffanie AK Schilling was born in Heidelberg, Germany, and raised in Northeast Ohio. A heritage swing dancer, she began her dance journey young, grooving with her family behind their brownstone up in Brooklyn. Recently, her aunt asked if Steffie was still doing that “swing thing,” sparking memories of watching the aunties and uncles swing out in living rooms before running off with the other neighborhood kids to imitate what they saw. Her father, a native New Yorker, fondly recalled his days of dancing, doing an old kind of groove, “the Jitterbug.”
Since 2007, Steffie has passionately studied and danced the classic swing styles from the 1920s/30s, including Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa. She has trained extensively with and taught under world champion Valerie Salstrom for over a decade.
Steffie is dedicated to empowering her students and encouraging them to bring their authentic selves to the dance floor. She values rhythm, creativity, and community, viewing swing dancing as a celebration of diversity, collaboration, and simply, good fun.
Deanna Coleman
Deanna came to swing dancing through a love of jazz music and some experience tap dancing. She stumbled across social swing dancing through some friends around 2012 and has not looked back since. Learning mostly on the social floor and in friends’ living rooms, she started with Lindy Hop, East Coast, and a smidgen of Charleston, and when she was eventually introduced to Balboa, it became a fast favorite. She loves how it emphasizes the intricacies of micro-movements and communication between partners, how it makes fast jazz music accessible for the dance floor, and the sweetness of slow balboa. Since, she has enjoyed more formal lessons, traveling around to regional events, and meeting the larger swing dance community in the US and Canada. Within her local dance scene, Deanna is passionate about creating a welcoming community where everyone engage, no matter their experience or background.
When she isn’t dancing, Deanna can be found tending her garden, reading cozy fiction, planning travel adventures abroad, or imitating various animal sounds with her littles at the zoo. She loves being outdoors but also curling up on a rainy day with a hot beverage. She cannot wait to meet you and get to know you further in Balboa classes!
Devon Powers
Devon started dancing swing back in 2009 as a first year in his undergrad’s swing dance club. One of his hallmates invited (dragged) him to a lesson the first week of classes, but the Lindy lesson was interesting and challenging in a new way, so he kept at it. Through his time dancing, he’s gained experience with Lindy Hop, Charleson, a bit of Blues, and a lot of Balboa. He’s also had opportunity to travel for local & national workshops, and has dabbled in a few performances. And in a mildly unexpected turn, one of his classmates who he danced Swing with would eventually get him into Bachata and Salsa over a decade later.
For Devon, part of the appeal of partner dances is the conversational aspect and the avenues for expression that they create. It’s always really rad to see/hear how other dancers interpret and respond to music, and he greatly enjoys experiencing the different ways that dancers express their understanding of the music. Of course, he’s also very into the technical aspects, whether they be methods of generating motion or consequences of different types of connection. He’s got a STEM background, he can’t turn it off.
But it’s not all shuffle-shuffle-down hold with Devon! When he’s not dancing, he’s really into baking, likes to run, and can talk too long about Star Trek, One Piece, & Jimmy Buffett.
Corrie Holliday
Corrie Holliday was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She fell in love with early jazz music and vintage swing dance when she had the opportunity to take a few lessons during the 1990’s revival. Captivated by social and cultural dance forms, she pursued college courses in latin dance and hula before having the opportunity to pick up swing dancing again in 2013. Since that time, Corrie has explored and honed her skills in lindy hop, charleston, balboa, and general vernacular jazz. She has traveled to dance events around the country to learn and compete, and has led lessons ranging from 5 people to a crowd of 1000 as a regular teacher and performer with Get Hep Swing. Since 2016, Corrie has also toured the Midwest as a dancer and entertainer with Wizbang! Theatre, a Cleveland-based circus and vaudeville-inspired variety show. A versatile artist, Corrie has performed at private and public events and on stage at Playhouse Square, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland Museum of Art, and MOCA. She is excited to share her passion for the confidence, versatility, creativity and playfulness of balboa and partnered vernacular jazz dance with her students at Viva.
Have a question?
FaQs
Do I need dancing experience to come to a social dance?
Nope! Everyone is welcome regardless of experience. We do offer a beginner swing lesson one hour before each social dance if you would like to learn!
Are balboa and swing dancing the same thing?
Yes and no. Swing dancing is an umbrella term that incorporates a few different types of dancing. While most of our beginner lessons will focus on balboa, we will also offer classes in lindy, collegiate shag, charleston, and even blues throughout the year as we partner with other community members and instructors.
What should I wear to lessons?
Please dress comfortably so your body can move easily and with shoes that provide little to no traction on the dance floor.
What if I want to cancel my special event or lesson registration?
For lessons through the Cleveland Heights Recreation Center, please reach out to them directly. For special events, we unfortunately do not offer refunds, but you are welcome to transfer your ticket. Please send us an email with the change details and we will confirm the transfer.
What if I have to miss a class?
Because our lessons are progressive in nature, each class will feature a short recap of the topics discussed the week before and will build on one another. You can also send an email or check in with your instructors the week before to point you to resources for topics that will be covered while you’re away.
Where does balboa dancing come from?
Balboa is a partnered swing dance, born from the thriving multi-cultural community of southern California in the 1920s. Amidst a booming Jazz age, young adults in the balboa peninsula answered the question, how do we move and express ourselves when we don’t have any space on the dance floor? With fast-paced swing music and multiple cultures mixing together, balboa over time grew to incorporate two dances: pure bal, with its characteristic chest-to-chest posture, fast feet, and rotational movement, as well as bal swing, where partners break away from each other for exciting spins, twists, and flare.
Do I need to have a partner to come to a lesson or social dance?
No. While you are more than welcome to dance and stay with a single partner, at lessons, dancers will otherwise rotate through dance partners. At social dances, you will find people dancing with many different partners throughout the night, building friendships and community.
What is your safety/harassment policy?
We strive to provide a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all dancers at our lessons and events. Harassing, bullying, or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and dancers engaging in the same will be asked to leave and may be barred from future events. Lifts and off-the-floor dips are not permitted.