Meeshi Anjali has studied, performed, and taught various ethnic arts for over 20 years. He has trained with masters of West African drum and dance, Afro-Brazilian dance, Korean Percussion, Modern Dance, Acro-Yoga and Tai Chi. In 1996, he discovered the Lindy Hop and has been focusing his energies on exploring this African-American improvisatory partner dance form ever since.

Since 1998, Meeshi has taught swing classes at all of San Diego's major local universities (UCSD, SDSU, and USD) and has been the promoter/organizer of several of San Diego's most popular swing venues including the La Jolla Marriott (1998-1999), Cafe Savoy (1999-2002), Stompin' at the Aubergine (2003-2004), Soul Swingers at the Kava Lounge (2004-2005) and the ever-popular Firehouse Swing Dance (1998-present), San Diego's longest running Lindy Hop Swing venue.

Meeshi has studied extensively with some of the best Lindy dancers in the world, and continues to broaden his movement studies through learning Salsa, Argentine Tango, Tap and Afro-Cuban dance, and is eager to share some of his deep knowledge and love for partner dancing with you.

Meeshi is available for private lessons, wedding dance lessons, community-building classes. You can reach him at 858-395-6060, firehousesd@yahoo.com, or http://www.swinginsandiego.com.

Giselle Anguizola is a professional vintage jazz dancer. She has dedicated herself to the preservation of vintage dances as a researcher and instructor for the last ten years. As an internationally known judge, performer, DJ, and competitor, her accomplishments include championships from nationwide competitions, including the American Lindy Hop Championships and U.S. Open for Swing. She has been an active organizer of several organizations including the San Diego Lindy Hop Society, Los Angeles Lindy Exchange, and Hollywood Jitterbugs. She is co-founder of the line-dances Hot Pockets & Honey Pot and founder of the first all American California Girl Jam; a workshop dedicated to women. Girl Jams have now spread nationwide to major cities including: NorthWest Girl Jam (Portland), North East Girl Jam (Rochester), Midwest Girl Jam (Minneapolis), and Rocky Mountain Girl Jam (Denver). She currently works in San Diego with the Bal-Swing Boogie, Rugcutters Dance Academy, Groove On Tap, and Olio; a modern day Jazz production. The CA Girl Jam and CA Guy Jam are two local dance festivals hitting San Diego in 2009 meant to bring about awareness of Jazz culture. Under her own company, G-zanky productions, Giselle hopes to spread vintage dances within urban street cultures, inspire others to feel the music, search for their own expression, and add to the endless creation of Jazz Dancing.

Swing dancing for eight years, Jasmine Fitzwilliam is a lover of lindy hop and the world of swing. With her belief in fusion, Jasmine's dance explorations in jazz, modern dance, and hip-hop have given her a distinct style and flare in her swing dancing. She spent her formative swing years in Montreal, teaching with Cat's Corner Swing School, and has taught and run workshops and events in Ottawa, Toronto and Las Vegas as well. She has traveled all over North America and Britain for dancing, and has studied extensively under some of the most talented and experienced names in swing. She specializes in making sure dancing is always fun, fulfilling and utterly delightful for her students, and she is always a ball of positive, silly, enthusiastic energy when teaching. Jasmine will bring out your innate musicality and creativity and will help you discover your natural impetus to move!

When you see Tremaine dance you would not know that he only took a couple short rounds of beginner's classes some three and half years ago after his Mom told him to join a swing class she was checking out that needed leads. Tremaine always loved swing music (in fact the only eBay purchase he ever made was a special Frank Sinatra signature portrait) so it made sense to try it out. He didn't expect much but when he saw his teacher Nate Sartain and another lead, Nelson Wesley, social dance Lindy Hop for the first time he became so inspired he never stopped dancing since. It wasn't long before Tremaine became a Firehouse regular and a follow's favorite. He's the new Lamborghini of the San Diego dance floor going to 200bpm speed in just a few seconds.

No doubt Tremaine is a natural, he hardly takes classes but learns by watching online videos of his favorite lindy hoppers and by simply doing things until they feel right. Tremaine loves to understand the nuances of Lindy Hop's connection based lead-follow technique and believes that dancing must feel good to look good. As a teacher Tremaine is direct, systematic and technically simplifying. He believes the best way to teach is to let students experience the layers of the dance in their bodies enough in class to be able to bring it to the dance floor and build enough muscle memory to retain what was learned. Today Tremaine is what he calls a "lifestyle dancer" and he's looking forward to dancing, teaching and competing Lindy Hop till the last day of his life.

You will often see the mysterious Tertia dancing her unique style at any of San Diego's venues. As former President of the San Diego Lindy Hop Society, Tertia goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to spending time and energy promoting awareness of Lindy Hop and other vintage dances in San Diego. She is also a member of the SoCal Sugarbabies - an all girl vintage jazz dance troupe.

Tertia began her dance career at the early age of 5 years old, becoming one of Hawaii's youngest professional hula dancers. She is currently recognized by the state of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as a seasoned educator of visual & performing arts. She has in fact, launched an innovative Music & Dance program for Keiller Leadership Academy, a middle school in San Diego. Because Tertia is versed in many dances. The combination of her teaching skills and knowledge of Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Collegiate Shag, Balboa, Bal-Swing, and Charleston makes her an endowed instructor.

Alison Plys began her swing dance career in 1998 in Akron, OH. She taught part-time in Cleveland, OH for 3 years (2000-2002) and began her national teaching debut in 2002. She is one of the best follower instructors in the world with the ability to break down the feel of the dance while inspiring other female dancers with her styling and overall joy on the social dance floor.

As a certified yoga teacher and therapist, Alison now pursues her passion for assisting others in their goals toward well-being. She enjoys offering therapeutic yoga classes and private consultation while continuing to teach dance on the side.

Alison has a unique employment history and draws on these skills to provide exceptional yoga & dance instruction:

• Volunteer life skills instructor for women with alcohol and drug addiction - 1993 to present
• Co lead singer of Full Blown Kirk - 1995 to 1998
• Began pursuing a degree in special education - 1998 to present
• Treatment specialist/program coordinator for children with severe behavioral disorders - 2001 to 2002

Joel Plys began his swing dance career in the summer of 1998 on a date in Chicago. Joel taught swing full-time out in Cleveland, OH for 4 years (1999-2002) and started Get Hep Swing, LTD He co-created the very first All Balboa Weekend with Valerie Salstrom (June 2001) He moved to San Diego with his wife Alison, and they traveled the globe from 2002-2008 sharing their love of Swing dancing.

Joel has a high quality, energetic approach to the dance that makes every lesson with him and any partner a blast! As a regular teacher at major events all over the world, his down to earth, enthusiastic attitude is contagious. He has taught all over the US (24 states and counting) as well as Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Scotland and Sweden.

He has a full knowledge of various styles from years of study that he shares in his instruction of Balboa, Lindy, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Jazz Movement, and Pre-Swing dances (Texas Tommy, One Step, etc)

To 'preserve' a dance, you must understand the technique and characteristic fundamentals of that dance. For a dance to 'evolve', you must be open to everyone adding creative elements to that dance. Joel encourages students to study and be open to "differences" so that they can make the dance their own.

He embodies these qualities in his instruction and dancing while remembering the true reason we dance - for fun!

Over the years, Nate moved to L.A. and began competing. In 1999 he won 1st place in the Jitterbug Jam and was a finalist in the National Jitterbug Championships. Then in 2002, he placed 2nd in the National Jitterbug Championships. Nate then placed 3rd in the 2004 California Balboa Championships, and was a finalist in the 2004 All Balboa Championships. Most recently, Nate placed 1st in the 2008 Seattle Balboa Swing Festival's Jack and Jill. In 2005, Nate placed 1st at the International Balboa Championships Jack and Jill and 2nd at the American Classic Balboa Championships Jack and Jill. In 2002-2003 he was a member of the Rhythm Rollers, a high energy Balboa troupe based out of L.A.

Nate is also San Diego's favorite DJ. He is an avid collector of early jazz, swing, western swing, and rhythm & blues. He began his DJ career back in 1998 where he was the house DJ for BeBop Burgers - a 1950's themed restaurant. Since then he has DJed at several events across Southern California including weddings. You can find him spinning tunes every Thursday at the Firehouse, and at Corner Boogie - where he is the resident DJ on the 1st & 3rd Fridays and every Sunday.