JOEL PLYS began his swing dance career in the summer of 1998 on a date in Chicago. Joel taught swing full-time out in Cleveland, OH for 4 years (1999-2002) and started Get Hep Swing, LTD. He co-created the very first All Balboa Weekend with Valerie Salstrom (June 2001). He moved to San Diego with his wife Alison, and they traveled the globe from 2002-2008 sharing their love of Swing dancing. As a regular teacher at major events all over the world, his down to earth, enthusiastic attitude is contagious. He has taught all over the US (24 states and counting) as well as Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Scotland and Sweden.He has a full knowledge of various styles from years of study that he shares in his instruction of Balboa, Lindy, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Jazz Movement, and Pre-Swing dances (Texas Tommy, One Step, etc). To 'preserve' a dance, you must understand the technique and characteristic fundamentals of that dance. For a dance to 'evolve', you must be open to everyone adding creative elements to that dance. Joel encourages students to study and be open to “differences” so that they can make the dance their own.