PRESIDENT

She/Her

Junior Molecular and Cellular Biology

I had been training in classical ballet and contemporary for five years and thought I would give swing dance a try when I started school here and got hooked (it's a cult seriously once you start you won’t want to leave)!

I look forward to continuing to learn new ways to add style to my movement, learning/teaching new solo jazz routines and traveling to other scenes to improve the dancing of myself and others!

VICE PRESIDENT

He/Him

Junior (‘25/’26)

Molecular and Cellular Biology

My friend, Sophia, asked me to come to the free dance once with her and I fell in love with swing dancing and all of the wonderful people there! I signed up for lessons right after and have loved it since!

I’m really excited to meet amazing new people in the swing scene and learn more about dancing and techniques! I can’t wait to plan/attend a bunch of cool events this year!

TREASURER & MUSICAL CHAIR

She/Her

Junior (for year ‘25/26)

Business Management

I took a chance at my first time dancing ever at Bubble City Swing  to interact with the music I love in a new way after stumbling on a live-band dance by accident. I signed up for the next class rotation and never looked back!

I look forward to bringing in live music that strengthens our connection to both the dance and, more importantly, one another!

SECRETARY

She/Her

Junior

Media and Cinema Studies Major, Critical Film Production Minor

I used to watch Lindy Hop showcases on YouTube when I was a kid, so I obviously jumped at the opportunity to learn once I came to UIUC!

What I’m looking forward to this year: Continuing to dance with friends, old and new!

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Junior

Psychology Major

I came to a Bubble City Swing kickoff event and was hooked from there!

What I’m looking forward to this year: Finding new and creative ways to pair movements together, as well as improving my solo jazz!

CO-COMMUNITY LIAISON

She/Her

Bachelor’s in Music Education (UIUC, 2003)

I started dancing when Professor Paul Kwiat and I became a couple – we met at the Willard airport which is a totally different story, lol. My first dancing experience was to a local band at the Illinois State Fair. Paul and I really love teaching together at the Urbana Park District and dancing out in the community, which we started doing to bring dancing to more community members and try to get them more involved. 

This year, I’m looking forward to improving my dancing as a lead this year, it’s a fun adventure! I am looking forward to our dance community continuing to grow and create spaces where everyone is welcome and everyone dances with everyone!

CO-COMMUNITY LIASON & SAFER SPACES CHAIR

He/Him

Graduate student in Art Education

I started dancing in my hometown in Rochester, NY, during my undergrad, with contra dance. The community around dance is very important to me, and when I came to UIUC, Bubble City Swing felt just right.

I am looking forward to meeting new people within the dance community.

EVENTS CHAIR

He/Him

PhD student in Musicology

I started playing jazz in middle school and continued playing in big bands through finishing undergrad. I heard about the BCS through an announcement for the fall ‘24 kickoff, decided to give it a try, and had a blast!

What I’m looking forward to this year: Putting on great events and having more fun dancing!

LESSONS CHAIR

He/Him

Junior

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

How I started dancing: I heard about swing dancing after I spoke to my friend about my love of jazz. Then went to the spring kickoff and kept coming back!

What I’m looking forward to this year: Continue teaching some lessons and have even more fun dancing!

PR CHAIR

WEBMASTER

She/Her,

PhD Student in Chemistry

I’ve played the saxophone in various jazz and swing bands since I was in middle school where I fell in love with the music. I found the Illini Swing Society when I was researching graduate schools, decided to give it a shot at the fall ‘24 kick off, and loved it!

This year, I’m looking forward to learning new moves, mastering old ones, and dancing with as many different dancers as possible!