Our Instructors
Our teaching staff is dedicated to dance, the art of teaching, and folding you into the wide world of swing and jazz dance. Whether you’re looking to try something new, become a skilled social dancer, or compete around the globe, our instructors have the experience and know-how to help you accomplish your dancing dreams.
Instructors are available for private lessons.
Elaine Buchignani
Background: Elaine is the co-founder & artistic director of both Swing Dance SCT and Stormy Weather Jazz Dance Festival. As a full time jazz dance artist, she teaches everything from Charleston to Lindy Hop to Jazz Funk on a weekly basis. She’s known for her keen eye for body mechanics, breadth of knowledge, and dramatic dance style.
Specialties: Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz, Slow Dance, Balboa
Pronouns: she/her
Favorite Song: “Basin Street Blues” by Louis Armstrong
When she’s not dancing, Elaine spends most of her time entertaining her demanding Shiba Inu, Chio.
Stefan Huynh
Background: Stefan started out with ballroom dancing in high school, but he really fell headfirst into dancing when he discovered swing. He’s known for his dynamic dance style, clarity of instruction, and detailed pedagogy. He is a co-founder of Swing Dance SCT along with his wife, Elaine.
Specialties: Lindy Hop, Slow Dance, Balboa, Solo Jazz
Pronouns: he/him
Favorite Song: “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington
When he’s not dancing, Stefan enjoys playing tennis and video games.
Casi Goodman
Background: Casi is an artist of many mediums. Her background in music, performance, and visual arts all inform her musicality and playful dance style. As a teacher, she emphasizes comfortable technique and individual expression.
Specialties: Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz
Pronouns: she/her
Favorite Song: “Shiny Stockings” by Count Basie
When she’s not dancing, she is running her fine art and paper goods business, drinking coffee, and snuggling with her dog Theo.
John Jeng
Background: John has been swing dancing since 2010. He first fell in love with the movement, then the music, and eventually the community around it. With a background as a personal trainer, he’s always been fascinated by how people learn and move. In class, John enjoys helping dancers find their own style while connecting technique, body mechanics, and musicality.
Specialties: Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz
Pronouns: he/him
Favorite Song: “On the Sunny Side of the Street” by Dizzy Gillespie
When he’s not dancing, you can find him near food or playing games.
Rachel Zuraek
Background: Rachel grew up studying tap, studio jazz, ballet, and contemporary at a competition dance studio in California. This led her to earn her BA in Dance at UW, where she took her first Lindy Hop class and instantly got hooked. Rachel's known for their exploratory dance style, driven by their love of conversational improvisation and musical expression. Specialities: Lindy Hop, Tap, Solo Jazz
Pronouns: they/she
Favorite Song: "Corner Pocket - Alternate Take" by Count Basie
When they're not dancing, Rachel is likely reading, thrifting, baking, or watching video essays.
Ben White
Background: As a full-blown swing addict since 2004, Ben has studied under masters from the original swing era and worked with top dancers from all over the world. He’s known for his relentless passion and deep knowledge of all things Lindy Hop and jazz.
Specialties: Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz, Tap, Balboa
Pronouns: he/they
Favorite Song: “Bottoms Up” by Illinois Jacquet
When he’s not dancing, (which is rare), Ben is off exploring new places and trying new foods.
Jack Swiggett
Background: Jack fell in love with Lindy Hop in college, where he directed his university’s swing dance performance troupe. He’s known for his conversational dance style, precise instructional style, and musicality informed by a lifetime of playing jazz piano.
Specialties: Lindy Hop, Balboa
Pronouns: he/him
Favorite Song: “Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home” by Ella Fitzgerald
When he’s not dancing, Jack is exploring the outdoors or practicing his bass ukulele.
ariel Goh
Background: Ariel walked into a swing dance lesson on her first day at UW in 2010, and never looked back. She’s taught swing, balboa, and solo jazz in 10+ countries around the world, and hopes to add more! Her specialties are followers' expression, physics-based partner connection, dance fitness, and musicality. She’s a playful powerhouse on the dance floor, but still trips over her own feet when there’s no music playing.
Specialties: Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz
Pronouns: she/her
Favorite Song: “Such Sweet Thunder” by Duke Ellington
When she’s not dancing, she's playing D&D, riding her motorcycle, or rocking out to Taylor Swift.