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Renee Lardizabal:
President Growing up, I did the classic ballet, tap, and jazz dance classes, and I loved them. So when I started college and Auburn had the Auburn University Swing Dance Association, I knew I had to try it. I had no idea what swing dancing was, but they did an expo dance for new students and it looked amazing. And turns out, it is amazing! But while how fun swing dancing is is what brought me in, it's the community that really got me to stay. The community is just so warm, accepting, and friendly. Some of my strongest life-long bonds have come from this community. It's a time to connect with music and to connect with each other. Outside of dance, I'm a huge nerd (surprise, surprise). I love playing dungeons and dragons and video games. I also enjoy reading and writing, I'm always surrounded by a pile of books and notebooks. |
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Nathan Camp: Vice President Hello! My name is Nathan and I started learning swing dancing 2 years ago! It now consumes my waking thoughts and free time. I am from Charleston, SC, but came to Huntsville in 2019 for school and live here now. Please ask me to dance before I do the same to you. |
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Jocelyn Hawley:
Treasurer I’m Jocelyn, and this is my second year on the HSDS Board. I found Lindy Hop as a college undergraduate far away from home. I was and am a certified Shy and Awkward Person, but swing dancing became and remains my first and most important source of belonging and confidence. Beyond that, swing dancing for me is a direct portal to jubilation and surprise. I almost never feel so connected, so delighted, or so in my body as when I dance. And this from a person who never thought of herself as a “dancer". Outside of swing dance, I work as a staff assistant. I have a degree in poetry. I sew my own garments, which goes hand in hand with swing dance as a practice of intentional self-expression. |
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Minh Dang: Secretary I was invited to come dancing by a friend several years ago. It took me time to get good at it, but I kept on trying and really came to appreciate it. The rest is history! Running, photography, trading card games, and LEGO all keep me busy outside of dance! |
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Savannah Szentes:
Board Member I began dancing as a child and trained in multiple styles. When I was 12, I had the opportunity to perform for a swing dance club, and we were invited to take classes beforehand. Since then, swing dancing has remained part of my life on and off. What I love most about dance is how it brings me fully into the present moment, and how the social nature of swing dance allows me to connect with others. Outside of dance, I enjoy cooking and baking, spending time outdoors with my husband, and playing with our chocolate lab. |
