Instructors
Private Lessons
We are incredibly lucky to have so many of the top West Coast Swing talent living here in Denver, Colorado and teaching the intermediate lessons on Wednesday nights. We know many of you would like to take your dancing to the next level and get individualized attention and instructions. Private lessons are a great way to hone your craft. With one-on-one time with an instructor, attention can be focused on the elements and aspects that are most important for your own dancing and help you achieve your goals much faster. Below is a list of those instructors that provide private lessons and information to contact them:
Instructor Rate Contact
Gabi Wasserman $75 480-276-7566
Jonathan Prichard $60 720-383-1009
Olya Khvan $80 720-618-4569
Aleksandr Rozhkov $70 720-618-5507
Elizabeth Spann $80 720-450-7385
Terra Summers $75 720-289-0662
Aris DeMarco $75 720-663-1105
Our Instructors
Gabi Wasserman
Gabi started dancing in college after watching Silver Linings Playbook and realizing his only chance to impress Jennifer Lawrence was to learn how to dance. He did not end up with Jennifer Lawrence but did embark on a highly successful endeavor into West Coast Swing. Gabi currently dances at the All Star competitive level and specializes in teaching musicality and advanced connection. You can catch Gabi teaching and dancing at any of the weekly Denver West Coast Swing social dances.
Jonathan Prichard
Jonathan started his WCS journey 12 1/2 years ago after spending several decades performing professionally on stage in plays, musicals, and doing long form comedic improv. Jonathan competes in the All-star division on the national WSC circuit and he's known for his white shoes, fancy footwork, and looking like the Temu version of Kyle Redd.
It's taken him over a decade to both master and learn how to teach the science based techniques, skills, and drills to create the "illusion of always" being able to do WCS. If you're ready to take your dancing to the next level, give me... I mean him... a call today. Note: He's only available during the day when his 3 kiddos are in school (before 3pm) or when they're in bed (after 9pm).
Olya Khvan
Olga started her dance training when she was only 6 years old. Beginning with the ballroom dancing, she moved to individual dances, like hip hop and contemporary dance. She discovered West Coast Swing in 2012 and quickly fell in love with the dance. She trained in Russia and Europe with the greatest dancers, and is now competing at an All Stars division.
Alongside dance, Olga is a yoga instructor, helping her to understand the biomechanics of human body and thereby achieve better alignment, balance, and body awareness, essential for performing dance movements. Beyond the competitions and performances, Olga is a dedicated teacher, sharing her love and knowledge of dance with others.
Aleksandr Rozhkov
Aleksandr, or Sasha as his friends call him, started dancing in 2009 in Russia. It was there that he was introduced to the concept of movement to music. As an athlete and lifelong musician, dance captured his attention as it was a culmination of two things that he loved. After exploring various dances, West Coast Swing captured his heart for it’s ability to create and adapt to various styles of music. He finds joy and a freedom of expression embedded within the technique and personal style of West Coast Swing.
Terra Summers
Terra has been dancing and competing in West Coast Swing and Country for over 11 years. Her teaching career began with Country Partner Dancing and Line Dancing, then quickly became involved in West Coast Swing. She competes as an all-star on the WSDC circuit and has won numerous awards. Her passion and enthusiasm for teaching is contagious and loved by her students. Her friendly and outgoing personality makes learning from her fun and exciting! She is also the founder and instructor for the Dancing With Friends adaptive dance program and is making a huge impact helping dancers with disabilities.
Lizzy Spann
For more than 13 years, immersed in the captivating rhythms of West Coast Swing, she’s soared through national competitions, currently ascending as an All-Star. Her dual passion for dance and music intertwines seamlessly — whether competing or enhancing dance events as a DJ — yet it’s the connection of social dancing that truly ignites her soul, a passion she wholeheartedly shares as she teaches, fostering joy and connection within the West Coast Swing community.
Aris DeMarco
With an extensive background in athletic training and strength coaching, Aris sees West Coast Swing through the lens of human movement as a whole. As a teacher, his goal is to make the best information for each student easily accessible for them. Aris strives to adjust both to each student’s individual learning style, and their current understanding of the dance. As a dancer, Aris is purposeful, adaptable, and heavily focused on physical connection to communicate. More at: https://floortimewcs.blogspot.com/
Derek Newman
Derek Newman has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching at the Mercury Cafe for 10 years. He began his dancing career in East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, but has spent the past decade focused on West Coast Swing. He has competed across the country in West Coast Swing routine divisions and enjoys traveling to national dance events.