I am originally from Bakersfield, CA, but currently reside in Minneapolis, MN. My dance background before being introduced to West Coast Swing consisted simply of ballet and line dancing. I played the violin and piano for several years, which has come in very handy musicality-wise. I began couples dancing in 1994 after I met a woman by the name of Tyoni Martin, while line dancing at a country western club. She was teaching West Coast Swing and encouraged me to give it a try. I'm very grateful that she did, because I couldn't imagine life today without swing dancing in it.

After spending the next few years primarily social dancing and learning all that I could, I moved to Nashville, TN for my 9-5 job. Because of my constant travels for work and the small swing dance scene in Nashville at the time, I rarely had any opportunities to dance. It wasn't until 2001 when I moved to Minneapolis, that I got back into it. After attending a local Twin Cities Rebels club dance, I met my current dance partner, Jason Barnes. The connection dance-wise, was one that you don't experience quite often, so we thought it would be cool to start a partnership. Since teaming together, we have enjoyed a successful competitive and teaching partnership, along with many memorable experiences during our travels all over the country.

My constant goal in dance is to have fun and not lose the perspective of why I began dancing in the first place. I also want to continue growing and changing as a dancer, whether it's within West Coast Swing or in new dances for me such as Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, etc. Through-out my journey so far, I've had the opportunity to take weekend/week long intensives with some of the best, including Skippy Blair and Mario Robau Jr. Both of those experiences had a major impact on my understanding of dance, and I've gained a wealth of knowledge from them.

In my free time away from dance, I like to do the things that all women enjoy.....shopping, going to the lake/beach, spending time with friends and family, more shopping. I am a huge sports fan, and enjoy watching and playing most sports. I enjoy watching football, golf, and car racing, and I have a great time playing Fantasy Football with my friends. Other favorites of mine include: Traveling to new places; Experiencing new foods/people/activities; Sushi; Reading books; Riding horses; Wine; Peppermint ice cream; Driving fast cars; Soul music; Dale Jr; Sidney Crosby; A great pair of jeans; Christmas and everything the holiday season brings; Good conversation; Optimistic attitudes.


* 4-time U.S Open Classic Finalist, 04-07
* 08' Seattle Easter Swing Invitational Jack n' Jill - 4th Place
* 08' MadJAM Pro-Strictly Swing - 2nd Place
* 08' MadJAM Invitational Jack n' Jill - 3rd Place
* 08' America's Classic Pro Jack n' Jill - 2nd Place
* 07' Summer Hummer Invitational Jack n' Jill - 2nd Place
* 07' Seattle Easter Swing Pro-Strictly Swing - 2nd Place
* 06' Phoenix All-star J&J - 1st Place
* 06' Swingtime in the Rockies All-star J&J - 1st Place
* 06' Boogie by the Bay All-star J&J - 1st Place
* 05' Capital Swing All-star J&J - 1stPlace
* 05' Swingtime in the Rockies All-star J&J - 1st Place
* 05' Boogie by the Bay All-star J&J - 1st Place
* 04' U.S Open Champion, Team Division - 1st Place