About Matthew:
Matthew started swing dancing while in college back in 2000; initially being dragged from the library kicking and screaming to a ballroom/swing class . Since then he has been avidly dancing for 8 years and has travelled all over the U.S. dancing and taking classes with some of the best. He takes every opportunity to meet new dancers in the area and from all across the country. Matthew has been teaching swing to individuals and classes for the past 4 years beginning during his time in Baltimore; recently he has been focusing his efforts on improving swing dancing in Eastern Iowa. Matthew has taught many groups here in Iowa including those at the University of Iowa, Drake University, Coe College, Cornell College, and more. Since joining the UI Swing Dance Club after arriving to Iowa City in 2005 Matthew has taken up a large leadership role. With his assistance the club has grown significantly and develop a substantial presence in the region. Some of our major accomplishments include the development of a performance and competition team, the Flying LindyHawks, as well as creating an amazing event, the Hawkeye Swing Festival. Matthew is known for his crazy attitude and love for dancing. He has been trained in all varieties of swing, and particularly loves teaching Lindy Hop and Charleston. He continues to strive to learn more and become an even better dancer and instructor.
Erin Taylor
About Erin: Erin has spent her whole life dancing, training in various forms. Her love for dance continued to grow in high school as she trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, tap, pom, and kick at her dance studio. She was a member of her school's state-winning dance team, performing and competing to earn top honors at the national level, both as a soloist and with her respective groups. In college, Erin expanded her dance interests to also include modern, swing, and ballroom. She started teaching swing in 2005 for the U of I swing dance club and dances with its competitive team, the Flying Lindy Hawks. She loves to share her knowledge and passion for dance with others. She takes an intellectual stance on teaching dance to support connection but stresses the freedom to improvise with your partner and finds having fun the most important aspect.
Kate Jochum
About Kate:
Kate has been dancing as far back as she can remember. Trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop, Kate has traveled across the country performing in various prestigious national and international competitions, earning a multitude of top awards and titles such as "Dancer of the Year." In 2002, Kate began her instructing career teaching classes for all levels of dancers and became a member of the semiprofessional dance company, Gruv Productions. She joined the University of Iowa Swing Dance Club and its competitive team, the LindyHawks, in 2006 and has been instructing classes for the club since the spring of 2007. Kate is a passionate dancer who loves working with others, no matter what style or level, and tries to bring creativity, positivity, and energy to all of her classes.
Past Instructors
Michael Brafford
About Michael:
Michael's love of swing dancing started during the "Swing Craze" of the late 90's. He has traveled all over the U.S. working with the nation's best instructors and makes every effort to continue to grow as a dancer and teacher. For the past five years, Michael has taught classes and workshops for several swing groups all over the State of Iowa. Some of which include: The University of Iowa, ISU, UNI, Drake, Coe, Step Into Swing and Swing Des Moines. Michael was the key member in resurrecting the UI Swing Dance Club in the Spring of 2005. He also helped form the UI Flying LindyHawks, the UI's competitive swing dance performance troupe. As the head Choreographer for the troupe, Michael has led the Team to back to back wins at the Hawkeye Swing Festival and a fourth place finish at the Intercollegiate Battle in Colorado! He has also been seen on television Swing Dancing and has choreographed and performed several works for the stage including the musical Swing! at the Des Moines playshouse in the Fall of 2006. Michael is known for his "crazy legs" and fast footwork. His style combines Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie, Shag, Charleston, Hip Hop and everything in between. Michael loves teaching new students and hopes to create a fruitful Swing Dance community in Iowa.
