They're soaring to new heights and spreading WC Swing all around the world!

We interviewed Jordan and Tatiana back in 2008.  Since then, they've added scores of Classic titles to their portfolios and traveled the world promoting WC Swing to dancers everywhere.  They are the most notable Global Promoters of Swing and two of the most respected Ambassadors of our sport worldwide. 

Jordan and Tatiana's Swing dance resume is incomparable and their character is exceptional.  Over the past decade they have amassed such an incredible record of achievement that, despite their relatively youthful ages, they have become the most successful and most honored dance couple in the history of West Coast Swing dancing.  We can only say "Bravo" to these remarkable artists.

Now it's time to gain some new insights into their choreographic strategies, philosophies of dance and plans for the future.  Enjoy...
 

USASN: What was it like as partners to win your 6th US Open Classic Title, and 6th NASDE Title? No couple in the history of Swing as ever achieved such lofty status. Wow!
J&T: It's always an amazing feeling winning the Open. We start our routine in February, with the hopes of having our best performance at the U.S. Open to end our year. This year, more than ever, we felt we accomplished that.

USASN: What was your approach in selecting music and creating
choreography for that routine?
J&T: We had always loved Coldplay and were hoping that their newest album would have something we could dance to. When "Viva la Vida" came out, we just didn't think it was right. I let it go for months, but remember the day it came up on my I-pod. I played it about 50 times straight. We loved the "epic" sound of the song. It just had a larger than life feel and it took us somewhere completely different than our last routine.

USASN: What makes your dancing great - strategically, technically, artistically, and emotionally?
J&T:

Strategically - I feel Tatiana and I have a vision when it comes to picking music. We try to re-invent ourselves year after year and we create a routine in a song that so many others overlook.

Technically - It has always been our goal to gain the respect of all genres of dance, not just West Coast Swing. We want dancers from Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Contemporary, etc., to see West Coast Swing not only as a street dance, but as another technique-driven dance as well. That definitely impacts us when we are choreographing and practicing.

Artistically - We always try to do more than just a choreographed West Coast Swing number. Our music, costumes and facial expressions all go along with a theme that drives our routine.

Emotionally - We've built our partnership off of 14 years of friendship, a past relationship and the experiencing and accomplishing of so many wonderful things together. We are not only business partners but we are also best friends. This is what we feel creates our chemistry on the floor.

USASN: How long does it take you to craft a US OPEN routine? Do you each have a favorite all-time J&T routine?
J&T: It takes about 2 weeks totally immersed in the routine. We have long days in the studio watching video clips at home and obsessing about the final product. By the time we finish those two weeks, we are almost ready to hit the floor. My favorite routine usually ends up being the latest we've choreographed. Right now it's "Viva la Vida" because it feels most current with our style of dance. Tatiana has 3 favorites, "Pump It", "How to Save a Life" and "Viva la Vida".

USASN: In the future, is there a certain music genre or song style that you'd like to dance to - maybe pushing the envelope a little more now that you have established your pre-eminence in the Swing dance world and can afford to take some chances and explore new creative concepts?
J&T: We've tried to push the envelope since we entered the Adult category in 2001. There are certain songs we'd love to perform to but we know it wouldn't be universally accepted, - Hip Hop, Rock, etc. For those songs, we're able to put together show numbers to satisfy that creative urge.

USASN: You recently appeared in a Feature Role in the WC Swing dance movie, "Love n' Dancing" along with many of your Swing dance peers. Tell us about that experience.
J&T: Tatiana and I had a great time on the set of that film. It was a wonderful feeling to be a part of a movie that showcased the dance we are all so passionate about. The "ribbon" choreography that we did was a new experience for us, as props are not allowed in our divisions. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hated to see it end.


USASN: What other media-related appearances (movies, television, stage, public performance, commercial) have you made in the past year?
J&T: In May I was in a film with Benji - "Leading Ladies." It was a blast being on set with a good friend. Tatiana and I danced at the Kremlin and it was televised and will be shown throughout Europe on Eurovision off and on all year. It will premiere on New Year's Day.

USASN: What countries have you traveled to for teaching or performing since you won your first US OPEN Classic title? Any favorite places? Any special moments?
J&T:We've been to Australia, the UK, France, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. In 2010, we're heading to Brazil, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, and many more new places.

I know it sounds politically correct, but every one of those places offer something so unique and special that it's too hard to pick just one. There are so many special moments that we don't know where to begin.

Recently, one special moment was during our trip to the Ukraine. After one of our longest and hardest travel experiences (2 days straight), we questioned if it was a good decision to take this gig. When the camp attendees arrived at 3 AM, after a 2-day hard journey by train, their enthusiasm was so inspiring, we were thrilled that we had made the journey.

Another major moment in our lives was at the Kremlin performing with the top 30 Ballroom couples in the world. What made it even better was having a few of the TOP couples ask us to coach them. What an honor.

USASN: Tell us more about your visit to the Kremlin.
J&T: Being asked to dance at the Kremlin was one of the most satisfying experiences we've ever had. To be included in the group that were dancing left us in awe. We were put up in a great hotel, had amazing meals (including Russian Caviar), given a tour of the Red Square, treated to the Bolshoi Ballet, and taken to famous Art Museums. Mainly, it was how we were treated after the performances.
They all seemed to love West Coast Swing and that was the most satisfying of all.

USASN: Are there any special cities, venues or media outlets where you'd still like to perform? Any Big Dreams relating to that?
J&T: We've had so many of our dreams come true, but one of our main goals has been to spread this dance throughout the world. Between our continual travels every weekend, and YouTube videos, more and more this dream is coming true.

Performing at a Salsa Congress with 3,500 people and having hundreds come up to us to say how much they love and want to learn West Coast Swing was so fulfilling.

It's always a thrill to perform on TV, but that is not why we do this. We'd love to do more in the movie industry, but being booked so far in advance makes it hard to audition and do all that it entails.

USASN: What is the state of WC Swing overseas and which countries/cities have the largest followings and the highest level of talent?
J&T: The most would have to be France and the UK. Australia is closing in on them now that their interest this year has tripled. They all have such discipline because they are so hungry to learn and the progress we see is hard to believe. No matter what level they are, they continue to take lessons and want to better themselves.
Their determination will definitely push our dancers as this becomes an International sport.


USASN: What is the relative mix between your trips for domestic and overseas competitions / workshops / appearances and what are the challenges in the kind of travel schedule you maintain? Approximately how many miles do you travel each year (scary number)?
J&T: We guess that we travel about 2/3 in the United States and 1/3 Internationally. The challenges are maintaining a "normal life" and seeing your family. You live the opposite hours that most of your friends do. When you are available, they are working a 9 to 5. When they are available, you are traveling.

You miss watching Sunday football games, having a date night, never having the time to go to the gym regularly, etc. We traveled on American Airlines over 240,000 miles in 2009. That was an all-time record for us. We also used other airlines that are not included in that total. We're both approaching the 2,000,000 mile mark on American Airlines.

USASN: What interesting dance projects are ahead for you? What would you still like to do?
J&T: We really enjoy choreography and are being asked more and more to do show numbers for top couples in other genres. Tatiana and I have so many goals, dreams, songs still waiting to be choreographed, business ventures in the works, and surprises in store for things to come.

USASN: You're approaching your 30s and the "younger" kids are coming up from behind. How many more Classic Titles would you like to / think you can win and will you ever call it quits so you can exit on top?  What do you see yourselves doing 10 years from now?
J&T: We will compete as long as it is fun and we enjoy what we are doing. It is not about how many more Classic titles we can achieve. It's about doing what we love and making audiences happy. In ten years we see ourselves traveling less, having more opportunities to give back to this community and having families of our own.

USASN: What do each of you like to do in your rare spare time?
J&T: Tatiana likes to design clothes, art projects, paint, watch movies, and relax when she gets the chance. I like going to the beach, hanging with friends, going to the gym, playing and watching sports of all kinds, and real estate ventures.

USASN: Any messages to your fans out there?
J&T: Thank you so much for cheering for us and treating us wonderfully all over the world. We want you all to know that when we choreograph our routines, we are thinking of you and hoping to bring you joy. We truly love all of you. You make all of the struggles of this business worthwhile.