Guest Instructors

Karissa Lightsmith Director of Burn Blue One enchanted New Years Eve, Karissa found herself blues dancing in a steamy Seattle kitchen. Very shortly after, she began DJing blues music, teaching blues dance, and organizing blues venues and events. Blues + Karissa = Perfect Match.
Karissa is one of the four directors of Burn Blue. She teaches national and local workshops and is a regular teacher at every weekly blues venue in Seattle. Karissa particularly loves to solo dance, listen and respond to her lead, and contribute subtle and sexy additions when partner dancing. karissa@backalleyblues.org

John Lozano

John Lozano was first introduced to the Detroit dance scene in 1998, however his journey began much earlier than that. Some of his fondest memories are of he and his family singing along with Detroit's "oldies" radio station which included a special blend of Detroit's own blend of motown, soul and early rock and roll. Within his first year of dancing John was learning east coast swing and lindy hop (with a dash of latin and ballroom)and by 2000 was teaching classes and small workshops. Around 2001 he was exposed to blues dancing and has ever since be dancing, djing and teaching swing and blues side by side.

Over the years he has continued to grow in his dancing and musical knowledge, and taught workshops throughout the midwest, parts of Canada, and after a brief "pause for the cause" (a volunteering stint/spritual journey which may take a couple cups of tea to even begin to explain) has resurfaced on the west coast to spread joy and love through music and dance. John prides himself on his artistry on the dance floor, and in being able to reach out and share his embodied knowledge of the technical, expressive and creative sides of dance with his students. He is always on the lookout for live music to dance to, and loves to pay homage of those bands that have most moved him by djing their music with dancers who may have never otherwise heard them. Quite often you'll hear him refer back to his favorite former Detroit public radio dj Gene Elzy, saying that he too delivers "the bluesy side of jazz, and the jazzy side of blues."quot;

john@backalleyblues.org

Emily Elzea

Emily Elzea hails from Bellingham, WA and quickly fell in love with the intensity of blues music and dance. She has a diverse dance background, having grown up with ballet and modern dance training. She took up social partner dancing in 2002 where in addition to her in-depth study of blues, she studied salsa and lindy hop and dabbled in Argentine Tango. In the past few years she has focused on becoming involved in the US national Blues scene, traveling and competing regularly. In September of 2009, Emily taught as a guest instructor in the UK with internationally sought-after instructor Damon Stone. She recently placed alternate in the Couples Division at the 2010 Emerald City Blues Festival and has made finals in local dance competitions in Sacramento, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC.

Jennifer Campeau

Growing up with performers in her family, Jenn began her dancing career at the age of ten. Since then she has performed, competed, danced, taught and choreographed in all styles of dance including: International and American style ballroom, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Argentine Tango, Salsa, and Blues. After teaching several years in Las Vegas, Jenn took on the role of managing her own dance studio at Ritual at Sunset Dance Studios. Performing in Tango shows such as “Tango On” and several private events, Jenn possesses a love for the stage and the art of dance.

Jenn moved to Seattle in 2009 and after taking a short break from teaching, is back in the game! She is now focusing on Blues and Tango and is excited to incorporate two of the most sensual and expressive dances out there. She currently teaches out of the Washington Dance Club in Seattle.