About Kevin!
Kevin St. Laurent is internationally recognized for his energy and innovation as a Lindy Hop dancer, instructor, performer and choreographer.. His creativity on the dance floor stems from a command of musicality and partner connection, features of his dance that make him such an engaging performer, and his priorities in both improvisation and choreography. As an instructor, he concentrates on the technique of these elements at all levels, teaching his students the ability to adapt the style of their dance to that of the music and to create a dynamic dance with their partner. Kevin's energy and focus on fun are a constant backdrop to all of his work.
Kevin began his dancing career at the young age of eight years. Though initially reluctant, his mother ('Thank you Mom') insisted he "try it" for a little while. He's been 'trying' it ever since. His initial 3 years were spent studying tap, ballet, and jazz.
He now draws inspiration from his experience in many dance styles, including Break Dancing, Hip Hop, Modern Dance, West African Dance, Hungarian Couple Dancing, Mexican Folkloric, Contra Dancing, Scandinavian Couple Dancing, Balkan Line Dances (including Bulgarian, Greek, Bosnian, Croatian, Romanian, Turkish & Serbian), Ballroom Standards, Scottish Country Dancing and others.
In 1998, Kevin began specializing in Lindy Hop, the original form of swing dance that began in New York City's Harlem neighborhood in the 1920s. In 2001 he went professional and has since taught on five continents including North America, South America, Europe, Asia & Australia. He has appeared on ABC's revival of the TV show "Dance Fever" in 2003 and was a featured dancer using Motion Capture technology in the 2004 Feature Film "The Polar Express" in 2004. His expertise is sought after by both amateur and professional dancers world-wide.
Although Jo Hoffberg calls California her home, she spends most of
the year traveling with her dance partner Kevin St. Laurent. She holds
1st place titles from the US Open, Canadian Swing Championships, Camp
Hollywood, American Lindy Hop Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown
and the International Lindy Hop Championships. Her first international
working experience was in Japan working for Universal Studios, and since
then she has taught in the US, Asia, Australia, South America, Western
and Eastern Europe. Currently performing with The Killer Dillers, she is
thrilled at the idea of new costumes. She is a passionate and avid
dancer, instructor and competitor.
About Jo!
Jo is also a notorious movie quoter and inundates her friends and students with her sassy attitude and one liners from Anchorman, Blades of Glory, Wedding Crashers and How I met your Mother,
as well as breaking out into song at inappropriate moments. When Jo
grows up, she wants to be a secret agent and have language skills, knife
throwing skills, shorthand skills, and the power to read minds. When
she is not learning a new skill, she plots to take over the world! After
that accomplishment she’s not entirely sure what she’ll do. Long walks
on the beach and cold weather aren’t for her, but she does enjoy wearing
boots and drinking cups of hot water.