JOEL PLYS began his swing dance career in the summer of 1998 on a date in Chicago.  He learned very quickly from countless workshops and non-stop dancing and brought his skills to Cleveland, OH.

 

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 in 2002, started 2PlySwing Productions and taught all over the world with Alison Scola.  As of 2012, Joel began Swing Dancing San Diego in his home town, building a community of social dancers, students, performers and teachers whom he trains.

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Joel has had the honor and privilege to learn

directly from the original masters of Lindy Hop

and Balboa:  Frankie Manning, Maxie Dorf and 

Willie Desatoff.

 

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 in

33 US states (and counting) and 12 countries including: Australia, Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Scotland and Sweden.  

In 2011, Joel was inducted into the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame and then in 2014, inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.

 

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!