Something about those airsteps....
These awesome folks are a pair of the most popular and dynamic Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie instructors. They have won many awards for their dancing, including the Swing Dance Championships and International Lindy Hop Championships. They've been inspiring dancers around the world for the last 10 years. They are Kind of a Big Deal! And we're excited for you to experience their passion for the Lindy Hop.
Karen
Turman (she/her) was first seen on stage at age 9 performing a tap dance to
"Lollipop" in a striped leotard and has been dancing ever since. She
discovered Lindy Hop during the Swing craze in 1998 and has never looked
back. She has since traveled all over the country and throughout Europe
to perform, compete, and teach at international events. She has earned
titles competing at events such as Lindy Focus, the Lone Star
Championships, the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, the Boston Tea Party,
the U.S. Open, and Camp Jitterbug. She feels most honored to have
received the first ever "Spirit of Lindy Hop" awards at both Camp
Jitterbug in Seattle, WA (2005), and the International Lindy Hop
Championships in Washington, D.C. (2010). Karen currently teaches
regularly with Boston Lindy Hop and in Providence, RI.
Rafal
Pustelny is a vibrant dancer and instructor who is passionate about
traditional dances from all around the world! Rafal moved to NYC in 2010
and there studied American Jazz dance forms, including Lindy Hop,
Charleston, and Balboa. He quickly established himself as one of the top
dancers in NYC, and has since earned acclaim in the international swing
dance community.
Rafal
continues his own dance education by studying Tap, Clogging, Hungarian
folk dances, and Polish folk dances. As a performer, he works with
several regional groups, including “Gatsby Entertainment,” “The Vanaver Caravan,” “Project Connect”, and “Harvest Moon Hoppers”, as well as community events and corporate parties. A Frankie Manning Foundation Ambassador, he teaches and performs locally with “You Should Be Dancing” studios. You can also find him at international events where he works with dance communities across the globe.
