Teachers

Chuck Brown

With more than 25 years dedicated to West Coast Swing, he stands out as a top teacher, chief judge, champion dancer, community leader, and event organizer and director. His event “TAP,” is one of the most memorable and innovative events in WCS.

His global recognition comes from teaching in over 30 countries, where he enriches students with a diverse dance repertoire and out-of-the-box teaching techniques, including his renowned “Emotion in Motion” retreats and master classes.

Moreover, he has trained hundreds of judges through his comprehensive EyePower Judges Training Master Classes and Intensives, one of the most thorough judging training programs in West Coast Swing.His method of blending traditional and creative techniques, combined with exceptional observational abilities, patience, motivation, and a deep love for dance, has nurtured numerous world-class dance competitors, judges, and instructors globally.

Lauren Jones

Lauren got into West Coast Swing back in 2011 thanks to her wonderful mum. After a 5 year break from dancing, she scooted over to Singapore, fell in love with the community and WCS again and social danced her heart out before making her way through Europe in 2019 where she achieved All-Star Level in 2022. 

She is completely hooked. She loves the balance between connecting with a partner on the floor and the freedom of self-expression, all to a wide range of music genres. The social floor is her ultimate happy place. Lauren became well known after a few videos went viral on social media, with her unique style, musicality and approach to partnership within the dance being attributed to the success.  

She is over the moon to be working with the inspiring dancers of the community and strives to create meaningful and fun workshops. Her aim is to leave each person she dances with smiling, be it at her or with her!

Miquel Menéndez

Miquel started dancing when he was 15 with his parents his in his hometown. He started with Linedance and country western dancing.

Quickly that became a thing and he started competing and teaching until reaching the top division in that dance. He has also been dancing as a Pro in that dance and had the luck to have coached and danced with many people throughout Europe.

Soon after he stopped competing in Linedance, he started dancing West Coast Swing and enjoyed it so much that it now is his main dance and ha is teaching it through the whole continent. Sharing his love for the dance is his goal that he hopes that you will share with him and he hopes he can show you his vision of the dance that we all love!

Hanna Ojanaho

Hanna is a Finnish dancer, dance teacher and performer who started her dancing journey at 9 years old doing various solo dance styles. However, the biggest love of her dancing life was born when she was introduced to dancing with a partner. So much so, that eventually she studied herself a degree in Bachelor of Culture and Arts, graduating as a dance teacher in 2010. Since, Hanna has been an active part of Finnish dancing culture, teaching and sharing her love for connection, musicality and technique.

WCS was introduced in Hanna´s life 2013. She was mesmerized by the playfulness and the level of communication in the dance and got hooked right away. Hanna and her dance partner brought WCS to their then hometown Oulu and started to create a community of WCS dancers there. In class, it is important for this bubbly, expressive teacher to have a relaxed learning environment as well as a strong pedagogical approach to teaching.

PJ Turner

PJ is a respected West Coast Swing dancer in the community and is one of the most approachable professionals in the business. He resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, but can be found social dancing, teaching, competing, judging, and performing around the world.

At the age of 10, he started his dancing journey in Clogging. Just a couple of years later, at 12 years old, he began line dancing at the local night club, Cotton Eyed Joe and at 14 years old, he found his passion for partner and couples dancing.

As an adult, PJ started traveling the Swing Circuit, competing in Jack and Jills and Strictly competitions, and sparking his NASDE tour mission; to become the NASDE tour Champion. During this time, he was the recipient of several social dance awards including the Prestigious Bob Preiss Social Dance Award from Swing Diego, Boogie by the Bay and River City Swing. In 2012, he achieved his goal and title of NASDE tour Champion! In 2013, he transitioned to competing in the Classic Swing Division in an Off-Broadway show in New York called Swango, and began competing in the Classic Swing Division, where he was a US Open finalist. In 2022, PJ started competing in the UCWDC as a Country Professional, winning a World Title in the Pro/Pro Division. Competing with his new dance partner, Mia Pastor, the two of them took 2nd Place at The Open Swing Dance Championships in the Showcase Division.

With his big cheesy grin and down to earth personality, you will have a great time with him at any event. Make sure you’re ready for him “BOOM MOMENTS” because they will blow you away! Though he may talk a little funny, his southern charm will bring a smile to your face. He is easy to find on the social floor, simply look for him with his backwards hat. He is incredibly approachable and his animated dance style will make dancers of all levels have an outstanding dance with him.

Mia Pastor

Mia grew up in Lima, Peru dancing socially at family parties. She knew at a very young age that dancing was going to be a big part of her life. She started dancing WCS in 2014. Since then, she has risen through the ranks to be a successful All Star competitor. In 2019 she stepped onto the Open Swing Championship floor for the first time and took home the win in the Rising Star Showcase Division with Jason Abner. In 2021, she was a principal dancer in the film “Ask Me to Dance”. Then in 2022, she partnered with Champion dancer PJ Turner to compete at the last minute in the Classic Division, placing top 8 at The Open and then coming in 2nd in Classic at MadJam 2023. In 2023, they entered the Showcase division at the Open, where they came in 2nd place. Also in 2024, Mia and PJ won the Phoenix 4th of July Champion of Champions Strictly Swing Invitational.

Mia has been training with top professionals in WCS and other dances for many years through private lessons and many intensive weekends. Along the way she has become certified in The Franklin Method/Shared Center System, specializing in connection, as well as being a certified teacher and judge. She has competed, taught, judged, performed on stage and in film all over the world and is excited to be a part of Moose Swing this year.

Emil Zetterström

Emil Zetterström is from Stugun in Jämtland, Sweden. He began his journey in West Coast Swing (WCS) in 2016 and has already achieved notable success in various competitions. He is currently competing in the All-Stars division. Emil is also ranked as a Megastar among line dancers in Europe.

In addition to his impressive dance credentials, Emil actively judges and DJs at many international events, further contributing to the vibrant dance community.

He passionately teaches WCS, line dancing, and country dance, finding immense joy in witnessing the growth and development of his students as they progress in their dance journeys.

Emil appreciates the diverse range of music that allows him to forge connections with dance partners from all around the world on the social dance floor.

Stefanie Tschom

Stefanie Tschom is an Allstar level West Coast Swing dancer, coach, and competition judge based in Berlin with a versatile background in ballet, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom dancing. Since discovering West Coast Swing in 2017, she has been captivated by its unique combination of musicality and communication, and is finding joy in the creative freedom to interpret all genres of music while engaging in an open dialogue with her partner.

As a teacher, Stefanie is known for her structured yet playful approach to learning. She blends technical precision with artistic exploration, ensuring that students develop a strong foundation while feeling empowered to express their individuality. With a keen eye for body mechanics and alignment, she incorporates her expertise as a trained fitness and health coach to help dancers move efficiently and with greater awareness.

She believes that technique should serve creativity, giving dancers the tools to explore musicality, connection, and personal style with confidence. Stefanie’s teaching style is highly visual and interactive, making complex concepts accessible through clear demonstrations and relatable analogies. Her classes are designed to challenge and inspire, fostering an open and communicative environment, encouraging students to experiment, and engage in the learning process actively.

As an avid traveler, Stefanie loves sharing her passion for West Coast Swing across Europe, helping dancers unlock new levels of confidence, connection, and artistry.

Daniel Pavlov

Daniel discovered WCS in 2013 and quickly fell in love with the dance. Having tried many social partner dances prior to that point, West Coast Swing stood out as an art form with unending possibilities in musicality, partnership and self-expression. Today, these reasons still remain the foundation for Daniel’s dedication and love for WCS.

Daniel has been teaching dance for over a decade, but also likes to add knowledge from martial arts, psychology, music, sports and parkour to supplement his students’ learning. His aim in class is to strike a balance between efficient growth and simple light fun that can be shared by all.

Daniel trains regularly, teaches all over the globe, and competes in the All-Star division. His passion for West Coast Swing runs deep and having the ability to share it with others is something he is endlessly grateful for every single time!