The Blues Association of Austin is a volunteer-led non-profit organization devoted to promoting Blues Dancing through dances, workshops, and classes in the Austin area. We were initially founded in 2007 to manage Austin Blues Party, an annual blues workshop weekend. Since then our mission has driven us to create an impassioned community of dancers that honors the history and culture behind Blues dancing and supports Austin's local musicians.
Through multiple regular educational opportunities and an invigorated drive to support and partner with local musicians our values of community and inclusivity, education, cultural appreciation, and musical appreciation as it relates to our core mission to teach dance is as alive as ever.
This is our board, as of April 2023:
Through multiple regular educational opportunities and an invigorated drive to support and partner with local musicians our values of community and inclusivity, education, cultural appreciation, and musical appreciation as it relates to our core mission to teach dance is as alive as ever.
This is our board, as of April 2023:
John Jennings | PresidentJohn Jennings began dancing to blues before he could get into most bars. He loves the connection and improvisation of blues dances, but most of all he loves the music. He is incredibly thankful for the lively music and dancing scene in Austin. He loves working to spread knowledge of Blues culture, dances, and music.
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Christina Tannert | At-LargeChristina Tannert started dancing in Austin as a high schooler doing Lindy Hop at the Fed in 2004. She started blues dancing in 2009, and quickly discovered her dance community home. After 3 years in Seattle, Christina is excited to return to her home scene in Austin. A musician herself, Christina's dance passions lie in musicality and strong partnering. As a teacher, she aims to reach learners at all levels with motivation and inspiration to try new things and fine tune fundamentals.
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Josh Davis | At-LargeJosh Davis has been a social dancer, DJ, event organizer, and teacher for over 10 years and came to Blues dance by a chance encounter at the Thursday night open jam at Rosa's in Chicago. Before moving to Texas, Josh would often drive to the late Artis' Lounge in Calumet Heights for the jam hosted by Billy Branch & the Sons of the Blues, where he was known for dancing so hard that his head would radiate steam into the Chicago winter. Josh has worked in a wide variety of contexts including impromptu walk-in lessons, dance studio series, cocktail parties, weddings, and weekend workshops.
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Remy Martyn | At-Large When not acting equal parts Macgyver and Martha Stewart: cooking, creating, and saving the day with whatever's nearby; Remy is listening to blues music like it's a full-time job. They love to throw their sleep out of wack by going to photograph live music and other events when they get the chance.
Remy serves as the Board's Audio Engineer, Technical Support, and Musician Liason |
Additional V.I.P.s
Nick DeWitt | President EmeritusNick DeWitt went from zero to lindy hop in early 2008. Well, it wasn’t really zero, since he spent a good decade moving his arms around arhythmically to Goth music. He was intimidated by blues at the start, but two years later his fear finally gave out and he showed up at Kick Butt one Friday night and never looked back. He desperately tried to resist taking responsibility in the scene for another couple years, but could only hold out for so long before stepping up as President of the BAA. When not dancing, he’s usually reading, cooking or raiding (if you have to ask, you don’t want to know).
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Jory Bowers | Treasurer EmeritusArriving in Austin by way of Minneapolis, Olympia, and Portland, Jory is honored to serve on the Austin Blues Dance Board. She was first introduced to blues dancing in 2010 and immediately fell in love with this connection-rich dance. Jory loves meeting new people, being active, and listening to music, which has made the social dance community a perfect home for her. Outside of blues, Jory enjoys dancing kizomba, running, LARPing, and exploring her new home. Ask her to dance if you see her!
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Jill Margheim Baggerman | EmeritusAfter doing team dances throughout her childhood, Jill finally discovered swing dancing in college. She was introduced to blues by Tim Margheim on September 23, 2011 (she immediately fell in love with the dance and later married the man). She’s now re-learning both dances, after spending two years in Asia and Africa, and is excited to simultaneously begin serving on the board. When not dancing, Jill is usually reading, researching peacebuilding, and planning her escape abroad.
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Rhonda Karcher | Vice-President Emeritus Rhonda is a native to New Orleans Louisiana, and a transplant to Austin Texas. She fell in love the first time she ever saw the dancers and heard the music at Kick Butt Blues back in 2009. She has been involved with the scene ever since. Rhonda has helped out at ABP, and has organized several house parties. She believes that in addition to social outlets, it is essential that classes and workshops be taken, to grow and nurture the scene, and is excited to be a part of the growth that is happening right now. Also, she would love to see our blues community get involved with some local charity organizations. When not dancing she can be found singing karaoke, drawing, playing games, building GIANT Jenga sets etc.
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Christian Jolivet | EmeritusChristian started dancing Blues and Salsa in back in 2008 as a way to meet new people and pick up a few extra college credits. He found the cooperative improvisation of partnered dance intoxicating, and was quickly hooked. Christian moved back to his hometown of Austin in 2011, and started to get involved in the local dance scene in late 2014. While he enjoys lots of different dance styles, Christian found Austin's blues community to be especially welcoming. He can often be found bouncing back and forth between the main room and various side-rooms at Code Blue. When he's not dancing, Christian is often coding, working on electronic devices, or practicing new guitar riffs.
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Olivia Hillmer | Secretary EmeritusOlivia has spent most of her life dancing one style or another, but after encountering blues dancing in 2012, she fell hard for the music and movement, and stuck with it. She spent the next four years organizing, teaching, and DJing blues events in Connecticut and New York City before moving to Austin. She's delighted to now live, dance, and organize in her home state of Texas. In addition to dancing, Olivia loves checking out local art, playing board games, and bothering dogs.
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Ace Jones-Taylor | EmeritusAce has been blues dancing since 2011. They fell in love with the community, the dance, and the music. Now Ace teaches blues, wedding dancing, and other styles at their home studio in Austin as well as across the country.
Off the dance floor, Ace can be found playing co-operative board games, cooking, reading, or gardening. |
Laura Spenke | Fed Coordinator
Contributors
- Ben Hejkal - Photography
- Kendra Dimino - Graphic Design (Logo)