Instructors
Mike Faltesek
Mike has been dancing for almost a decade, in that time he has traveled to instruct, compete, and perform internationally. From Harlem to Los Angeles and all throughout Europe. Mike is well known for his charismatic personality, approachability, and passion for the essence of Authentic Jazz dance and music. He possesses an enthusiastic ability to convey ideas and movements explicitly, making him a popular instructor wherever he goes. He teaches workshops internationally, each time leaving a lasting impression on his students. Mike's main sources of inspiration are the greats of yesteryear: Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the Nicholas Brothers, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, John Bubbles, Earl "Snakehips" Tucker, and the Berry Brothers. We are honored to have Mike return this year for his second teaching stint at Jammin’
Nina Gilkenson
Lindy Hopper. Belly dancer. Hair-removal Laser Technician. The mysterious figure that is known only as "Nina" (and sometimes "Naomi") has many titles from prestigious dance competitions. But that's only a small part of her accomplishments. For instance, she can swivel in midair. She can simultaneously create vintage-style dresses and then destroy them while dancing. She can make 12-minute biscuits in 10 minutes. She writes upbeat musical theatre involving funeral homes. And last, but not least, she is a part of the award-winning Lindy Hop team the Silver Shadows, which sounds like it's a group of super heroes. And that's what she is. A Super Hero--one whose main super power is doing swivels in midair. And one day, they might save the world. Until then, she lives in Washington, DC and falls down a lot.
Naomi Uyama
Naomi Uyama discovered lindy hop in her hometown of Washington, DC over ten years ago. For the past decade she has taught workshops around the world, and performed for dance and music legends alike. As a competitor she holds champion titles from ULHS, ALHC, and the US Open Swing Dance Championships. When she's not traveling in the name of triple steps, decorating cakes, or loving libraries, Naomi lives in D.C. and spends most of her life not being Nina Gilkenson, despite the large amounts of people that think she is. Naomi’s expertise in subtle musicality and focus on following skills are points she loves sharing with dedicated dancers. Naomi’s expertise in subtle musicality and focus on following skills are points she loves sharing with dedicated dancers. She is also one of the co-founders of the Jam Cellar, one of the most popular swing dance venues in the DC area, and is also a member of the Silver Shadows dance troupe. A frequent instructor at Richmond’s monthly Jam Cellar Workshops, and a great friend of Richmond’s fledgling lindy scene, we are happy to have Naomi returning to Jammin’ on the James as an instructor for the third straight year.
Peter Strom
When he is not teaching Lindy Hop, Peter roams the earth personally recommending what music people should listen to. He has been a featured instructor at workshops all over the world from Australia, to Korea, to Sweden, to France and more, as well as all over the States. He has won titles from such competitions as ALHC, NADC, NYLHO, ULHS, and the USOSDC, some of the fanciest acronyms in Lindy Hop. He is also a 2006 Finnish wife-carrying champion (seriously). Specifically, Peter is most passionate about social dancing and its technique, in both Lindy Hop and Finnish wife-carrying, and he is a member of the fancy-footed Silver Shadows Lindy Hop reenactment group. Ask Peter how you can pay him in guacamole.
