Look who's coming to MADjam 2026!
From Toulon, France…
Thibault & Nicole Ramirez
Thibault and Nicole’s story began in 2015, where dance became their universal language. Despite Thibault only speaking French and Nicole only speaking English, their connection on the dance floor transcended words. They continued to dance together, gradually learning each other’s languages, and, in January 2019, they officially announced their partnership. Since then, their bond has grown both on and off the floor, as they’ve become partners in both dance and life.
Together, Thibault and Nicole are four-time West Coast Swing Showcase World Champions, with a combined eleven World Championship titles. Thibault has earned French titles in Boogie Woogie and was the first European to win an Opus at The Open Swing Dance Championships, and is the first French Showcase World Champion in West Coast Swing history. Nicole is a trained solo and partner dancer having won many titles in the Junior and Adult divisions as well as 8 World Champion Titles in the Showcase Division. She also appeared on shows and music videos including Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. As renowned performers and instructors, they travel to dance events worldwide 40+ weekends per year, bringing unparalleled knowledge, passion, and artistry to every stage.
Known for their precise and engaging teaching style, Thibault and Nicole bring over 20 years of expertise in West Coast Swing and various dance styles. Their classes are rooted in technical precision and creative expression within a lively, supportive environment. Their infectious enthusiasm inspires students of all levels to reach their fullest potential. Warm, approachable, and always connecting with people on and off the dance floor, Thibault and Nicole are true leaders in the global dance community.
From San Francisco, California…
Sean & Alyssa McKeever
When it comes to pushing the envelope of West Coast Swing, Sean and Alyssa McKeever are the couple to watch. Independently, these two Champion dancers are known for their work ethic, love of movement, and joy of sharing their art. Sean has a history as a black belt in martial arts and grew up dancing through a local ballroom program called Nordquist. Ironically, that is where he met Alyssa, a charismatic athlete who also had a deep love for dance and movement. They’ve shared the floor throughout their careers and finally have joined forces as a partnership. Between the two of them, they hold several titles in Classic, Strictly Swing, and Jack and Jills. But more importantly, they are committed to continuously growing themselves as dancers and artists, and will share that passion as they teach around the world.
From Long Beach and Santa Monica, California…
Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollmann
Jordan and Tatiana have shared a highly successful dance partnership for over 25 years. Together, they are 11-time US Open Classic Division Champions and hold 22 & 18 US Open titles, respectively. They are 7-time NASDE Champions, multiple Grand National Champions, and dominated the Classic Division for over a decade. At the UCWDC World Championships, they received the prestigious Star Award for “Couple with the Most Impact on Swing,” and Jordan was honored as “Best Swing Choreographer.”
Their media appearances include winning Fox TV’s 30 Seconds to Fame, performing twice on CBS’s Star Search, dancing in the motion-capture film The Polar Express, winning America’s Best Dance Couple on ABC’s Good Morning America, starring in Love N’ Dancing, and featured in LeAnn Rimes’ music video Swingin’.
Jordan and Tatiana travel 47 weekends a year, performing, teaching packed workshops, and judging competitions worldwide. They have also choreographed for top-level dancers in Latin, Ballroom, Salsa, Bachata, and Zouk. Both are Certified Teachers with the Golden State Dance Teachers Association.
From Houston, Texas…
Ken Rutland & Bryn Anderson
Ken and Bryn have been partners for seven years. During that time, they have moved from Rising Star to Classic and become NASDE champions, placing 2nd at the Open Swing Dance Championships last year. As routine dancers, they are known for delivering crowd-energizing pieces and exploring the intersection between west coast swing and hip hop. As social dancers and teachers, they seek to marry old school concepts with their creative pursuits and to inspire new dancers to appreciate the foundations of the dance like they do.
Both Ken and Bryn have diverse dance backgrounds. Ken grew up dancing hip hop but fell in love with partner dancing in the 2010s. He has sampled bachata, salsa, kizomba, and Houston two step, and became semi-professional in DFW swingout before turning to west coast swing in 2015. Thanks to his excellent coaches and work ethic, he entered his first Champions jack and jill in 2019, four years after his first Novice competition.
West coast swing was Bryn’s first love: she began social dancing with her parents in Northern California at five years old and became a serious competitor in her teens. She has supplemented her west coast with contemporary, jazz, ballet, and international latin (cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive), which she danced at the open gold level. She earned her first Champions points at seventeen and officially moved into the division after placing top three in the NASDE All Stars Jack and Jill tour.
From the Czech Republic & France….
Jakub Jakoubek & Emeline Rouchefeuille
Natively from Czech Republic & Reunion Island, Jakub and Em took their first steps into the dance world at the age of 16 and 12, both starting with Ballroom Dancing (Latin, Standard & line-dancing). They were both hooked since they discovered West Coast Swing, and were especially drawn to the creativity, musicality, and freedom within the dance.
Their dance world is shaped around multiple influences such as urban dances, contemporary, modern, zouk or contact improvisation; both being eager to learn and assimilate new tools from other dance forms to expand their library of movement, expression and ways to connect.
J’Em story began in June 2016, as they were hired together by pure chance in a styling workshop run by Adam and Rita in Budapest. They have been traveling the world together ever since, flying from country to country to share their passion for dancing.
After 4 consecutive years being part of the top 10 finalists at the US Open Swing Dance Championships, they just placed 3rd in the Classic Division in November 2022.
From San Diego, California…
Chantelle Pianetta & Joel Torgeson
Chantelle and Joel have been partners in both life and dance since 2021, blending their unique strengths to create something remarkable in the world of West Coast Swing. Their journey began in 2017 when they first connected on the dance floor—though it wasn’t love at first (left side) pass. Years later, a shared goal of learning German during the pandemic sparked a romance that led to their engagement and marriage in late summer 2024.
Renowned for their polished physical aesthetic, captivating routines, and approachable teaching style, Chantelle and Joel have made their mark in the competitive WCS world. They have placed in the top five of all three of their Showcase routines at the Open Swing Dance Championships, including a second-place world ranking in 2024. Dedicated to inspiring dancers around the globe, they bring complementary perspectives and a shared passion for excellence to every class, performance, and competition.
From Fresno, California…
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake
Kyle & Sarah have been on the forefront of innovative west coast swing for over 20 years. Residing in Fresno, California, Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake are the holders of 11 US Open titles, are five time NASDE champions, and eight time Grand National Champions, and they are the only couple to hold US Open Swing Championship titles in both the Showcase and Classic divisions. Competing together for over 12 years, they are known for their smooth footwork and precise, and direct teaching styles. Kyle and Sarah have choreographed and performed over 24 routines. Travelling all over the world, Kyle & Sarah teach both the fundamental roots of west coast swing, and their own modern styles.
From Lima, Peru and Tennessee…
PJ Turner & Mia Pastor
Mia grew up in Lima, Peru dancing socially at family parties. She knew at a very young age that dancing was going to be a big part of her life. She started dancing WCS in 2014. Since then, she has risen through the ranks to be a successful All Star competitor. In 2019 she stepped onto the Open Swing Championship floor for the first time and took home the win in the Rising Star Showcase Division, and she was a principal dancer in the film “Ask Me to Dance”. Mia is certified in The Franklin Method/Shared Center System, specializing in connection, and has competed, taught, judged, and performed on stage and in film all over the world.
PJ hails from Knoxville, TN, and started his dance journey in Clogging at age 10. At 12 years old he began line dancing, and at 14 found partner dancing. In 2012 he achieved the title of NASDE tour champion, and in 2013 performed in ‘Swango’ and began a successful run competing in the Classic division. Look for him social dancing all weekend, with his backwards hat and cheesy grin. On the stage, make sure you’re ready for his “BOOM MOMENTS” because they will blow you away!
Mia and PJ partnered up in 2022, and in 2023 they placed 2nd in Classic at MADjam and 2nd in Showcase at the US Open. You don’t want to miss their Saturday night performance of their winning routine on the MADjam stage!
Wait, there's more!
Greg & Lemery Rollinscott
Instructors, Judges
Maryland, USA
Robert Royston
Instructor, MC
New York, USA
Alexis Garrish
Instructor, Judge
Maryland, USA
Ben Morris
Instructor, Judge, Performer
California, USA
Arjay Centeno
Instructor, Judge, MC, DJ
New Jersey, USA
Sheven Kekoolani
MC
Texas, USA
Glenn Ball
Performer, Instructor
Texas, USA
...even more! Meet your judges:
Dawn Blorstad
Chief Judge
Maryland, USA
John Kirkconnell
Judge
British Columbia, Canada
Sharole Negrete
Judge
North Carolina, USA
Debra Hampton
Judge
New York, USA
Robert Cordoba
Judge
Florida, USA
Robin Smith
Judge
North Carolina, USA
Tracy Wang
Judge
Texas, USA
Aggie Town
Judge
Oxford, UK
...even more to be announced, stay tuned!
Meet your DJ team!
Justin Petersen
DJ
London, United Kingdom
Aidan Keith-Hynes
DJ
Colorado, USA
Demetre Souliotes
DJ
California, USA
Kaiano Levine
DJ
Minnesota, USA
John Collini
DJ
Maryland, USA
Katie Fallon
DJ
Ohio, USA
Kristen Shaw
DJ
Connecticut, USA
Koichi Tsunoda
DJ
Texas, USA
Mangesh Urankar
DJ
New York, USA
Jalene Haramia
DJ
Colorado, USA
Guigo Sortica
DJ
California, USA
Jes Ann Nail
DJ
New York, USA
Jula Palenga
DJ
Freiburg, Germany
Margie Tuttle
Tennessee, USA
DJ
The Dance Jam Productions MADjam 2026 Team
Dave Moldover – Executive Director
Kay Newhouse – Co-Director
Casey Moldover – Data Science & Graphic Design
Alyssa Arter – Administrator
Tammy Davis – Administration Support
Amy Daniecki – Customer Care
Becky Larson – Videography
Tim Johnson – Broadcasting, AV
Carl Lind – Photography
Nadege Lebert – Photography
Ian Stalker – Production & Lighting OP
Contest Staff
Paul Stoddard – Registration & Scoring
Alex Brand – Contest Coordinator
Dawn Blorstad – Judge Coordinator
