Instructors

Sarah Riddle

Casino Rueda, Cha Cha, Latin Styling, Salsa, Wedding Dance

Sarah Riddle has been an active member in Portland's salsa dance scene since 1997. As co-director of Sabor Latino Dance Company, Sarah has performed in events ranging from International Salsa conventions (L.A. Salsa Congress 2002, 2003, 2004 and Toronto Salsa-Web 2000), nonprofit fundraisers (Multnomah County Library, Perry Center Auction...etc.), commercial programs (Liz Claiborne, Fred Meyer, Camel), and three full length dance concerts (Hollywood Theater, Dolores Winningstad Theater...Continue Reading

Melissa Roane

Vintage Swing

Melissa studied tap, jazz, and hip-hop before falling in love with Lindy Hop, and she fell hard. The music, fashion, dancing, and even the movies of the 1930s and 40s are a huge part of her life and really inspire her style. She began learning Lindy Hop in 1999 in the Washington, DC area, and danced socially three to four times a week. As the trend in swing was leaning toward a smoother version of Lindy Hop known as Hollywood, she learned some of this styling from international champions...Continue Reading

Beto Guimaraes

Afro-Brazilian Samba

Beto Guimaraes was born in the historic town of Olinda (UNESCO heritage City),in the northeast of Brazil. Olinda is known worldwide for its vibrant carnaval which welcomes the hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world who come to participate in this one of a kind cultural celebration of dance and rhythm. For the past 15 years Beto has been dedicated to the study, performance, and teaching of comteporary Brazilian Dance on a local, national, and international level. ...Continue Reading

Carrie Whipple

Argentine Tango

It was while still in high school that Carrie taught her first dance class . . . to a group of energetic 9 year olds wearing exciting tap shoes. Predictably, it was a complete disaster. Rising to the challenge, she learned over the years to teach many different dance forms (Argentine tango, Swing, Blues, and Salsa) with simple explanations, playful exploration, and a friendly sense of humor.

Since becoming captivated by the intense beauty of Argentine Tango in 2001, Carrie has led...Continue Reading

Rachel Lidskog

Ballroom Dancing, Wedding Dance

A professional dancer, singer, and choreographer, Rachel has been teaching dance as a certified dance professional since 1989.  A two-times Bronze Medalist, Rachel has traveled the globe for training, teaching, and competing in destinations such as Argentina, Cuba, Canada, France, Holland, and Sweden, as well as many cities throughout the US. Known for her joy while teaching, Rachel's dance knowledge includes a broad repertoire of styles, from the social to competitive level....Continue Reading

Bill Alsup

Argentine Tango

Bill started obsessively pursuing tango in 1997, and has studied with dozens of Argentine tango masters, some of them several times.  Bill's dancing is reknowned for its creative and playful musicality, due in no small part to his two decades as a professional French hornist. He hosts the weekly Sunday Afternoon Practica at the Viscount Dance Studios, started in 2000, Bill is also active as a tango DJ, having played music at events in Eugene, Bend, Ashland, Seattle, and in Mexico...Continue Reading

Chris Jones

Hustle, West Coast Swing (WCS)

Chris has been dancing since 1980. He has competed and taught extensively on the national country and swing dance circuits. He is a U. S. Open Swing Dance Championships finalist and a Country Western Grand Champion as well as winner of numerous Jack and Jill Championships. Chris judged the first Country Western World Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. He also owned and operated the popular Southern California dance studio, Dance Magic. While living in California, he was nominated for...Continue Reading

Selena Bekakis

Hip Hop
After nearly ten years of teaching, Selena's passion and excitement for sharing dance remains fierce.  As a long time Hip Hop insturctor, Selena believes that giving students  the fundamentals of counting, basic movement and choreography through repetition strengthens not only the early dancers' skills, but their confidence as well.  She understands that learning a new dance can be awkward at first , which is why she makes sure there is plenty of laughing, joking...Continue Reading

Shannon "Ziggy" Hoyer

Belly Dancing

The old saying - “If you can walk, you can dance…” - rings true to Bellydance instructor, Ziggy.  She began formal dance training at the age of 4 years old with Scottish Highland Dancing, then moved into Irish dancing, Ballroom, Latin dance, Argentine Tango, Hip-Hop, and many others.
Ziggy found her true dance passion in Belly Dance in 2005 and has been "madly in love" with it ever since.  Ziggy trained under Viscount's own Tiffany Slottke...Continue Reading

Guy Wallman

Vintage Swing

While Guy learned the basics of Swing in Los Angeles he is Oregon born and raised. He has performed with The Swingline Cubs and has been teaching in Portland since 1998. Guy has won awards in numerous dance competitions and has appeared in a music video for a local Swing band. Guy has brought his unique style to the Portland area and has taught and danced socially at among other places, The Crystal Ballroom, The Temple Ballroom, Berbati's Pan and The Viscount Ballroom. Guy has also...Continue Reading

Eric Zimmer

Dancer's Workout

Eric Zimmer is active in Portland's dance community not just as a dancer, but as a personal trainer, instructor, choreographer and performer as well.  Eric's formal education as a fitness professional along with extensive training in ballet, jazz, modern, musical theater and ballroom gives him a unique capacity to work with a diverse clientele,...Continue Reading