Sky RosethLet me start off by introducing myself. My name is Sky Roseth and I am a
Lindy Hopper. Born the son of a dance teacher, I have lived with music and dance my whole life. My first introduction to swing dancing was at Disneyland back in 1983. My grandparents would get us annual passes for Christmas, and almost every weekend my family would go up and watch them dance.
One of the most common questions asked of dance instructors is ‘How long have we been dancing?’ In my case I would have to answer with eight and half years. All swing of course! I have tried other dances, but like saying says ‘Home is where the heart is,’ my heart is in swing. It all started the summer of 1997 at Carnation Plaza at Disneyland. Movies like Swing Kids and Swingers and music by Neo Swing groups like Squirrel Nut Zippers and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy had influenced a huge underground movement that inspired a large group of young people to revive a forgotten era. Many of the teachers that are around today either got their start on that very same dance floor, or at least dances there from one time or another during the late ‘90s.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my grandfather. I wouldn’t be dancing much less teaching today if he had not talked some teenage kids into literally running me down and dragging me out to the dance floor. I was too scared to try. This is important to know for any of you that are reading this and are on the fence about wanting to learn something completely new. I found a passion for dance that I never knew I had. My love for teaching dance I owe to my mother.
As far as my professional teaching experiences and performances go I have had many. My teaching experience goes back to 1994, when I taught with my mother for the annual sock-hop held for the Girl Scouts of Irvine. We taught a variety of dances including
East Coast Swing, The Stroll, The Twist, and even the Hand
Jive. We taught at this event for about six years. I was also a part of the OC Swing team for about a little over a year which included performances for both private parties, corporate events, and other public performances. I took part in teaching both privately and publicly at some of the events as well. I have currently preformed with a tap and jazz group known as the RR Dancers, performing
Lindy Hop,
Charleston, and
Balboa between numbers.
There are many facets to dancing including competing, performance, and social. All of these have there place in the grand culture of dance and all can be found here at Atomic. The one thing that I have learned is that it is not enough for you to discover dance, but you must discover you in the dance you choose, and then dance as if no one is watching.
Welcome to our Atomic Family
