Sylvia & Nick

Sylvia Sykes www.sylviasykes.com & Nick Williams www.swingnick.com

Sylvia is California's premiere Swing Dance Instructor and Choreographer. She is an internationally recognized authority on most types of Swing Dance, and has been teaching and judging for 20 years throughout the US, Europe, and Australia.
Sylvia studied with the great dancer Dean Collins, and was a member of his last dance troupe. She studied Balboa with Maxie Dorf and spent years learning from the greatest Southern California Balboa dancers.
Sylvia is an inductee into the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame, as well as the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. She is a U S Open champion, was the NASDE top point winner, two time California Balboa Champion, took third place in the National Carolina Shag Dance Championships, and has won many Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill dance contests through the U.S. in Lindy, Balboa and West Coast Swing. She was twice voted Swing Dance Teacher of the Year, and is a 4 time Feather Award winner as Best Female Lindy Dancer in the U.S. She has performed with Count Basie, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Artie Shaw, and Les Brown, and appeared on many television shows such as American Bandstand and Gotta Dance for the American Movie Channel.
A "teacher's teacher", Sylvia instructs teachers worldwide in Balboa and Lindy ... come study with the best!

Nick has embodied the traditionalist style of swing dancing since 1998. He is known for his "fast and fancy" footwork. His understanding of Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, and Balboa come from learning from the original masters.
His accomplishments thus far include: 2001 Jitterbug Jam, 2002 and 2003 National Jitterbug Championships, and the 2003 American Lindy Hop Championships. His inspiration for the dances comes from a desire for accurate authentication, and can be seen in his great lines, general presence and command on the dance floor. Above all, he exhibits musicality, creativity, and continuity.
Nick is a true leader for the next generation of swing dancers, as well as an accomplished choreographer. He is also co-founder of The Rhythm Rollers.