About Me

Kenny Nelson started swing dancing in 1997 when the swing revival hit. Riding this wave, he discovered lindy hop and other related vintage swing dances. His curiosity, desire to learn and perform has kept him hooked ever since. His classes are known for being fun, detailed, and technique based whether he’s teaching Lindy Hop, Balboa, air-steps, West Coast Swing or Blues. Kenny’s competitive side has found him winning at numerous events including Camp Hollywood, International Lindy Hop Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Championships, Camp Jitterbug and others. When he’s not dancing, you can typically find him working hard for Swingin’ Denver, pursuing great local restaurants and drinks, or hanging out with his wonderful wife, son and cute dog.

Kenny also has other skills and talents that he can bring to your event. 10 years ago, he was introduced to a wonderful lead/follow concept by Brandi Guild via Heather Ballew. This is the concept of leader as the GPS unit, follower as the driver of their own vehicle. Since then, he has put great emphasis on the follower’s voice, self-expression, and making sure each role is receiving equally great information even when he was the primary teacher.

Since late 2011, he has assisted building up three different dance schools across the world. He supported 1929 Studios’ development as the primary male teacher and DJ in Melbourne, focused on teacher training and curriculum development with Big Mama Swing in Madrid, and founded Swingin’ Denver in 2014.

As a Denver scene leader, Kenny decided early on that he wanted to bring swing dancing into the public eye. This mission led him to discovering new swing bands, partnering with different venues around Metro Denver to bring swing music and dancing into their spaces, developing marketing materials for advertising around town, providing dance entertainment, and creating annual tentpole events that dancers and non-dancers alike enjoy attending such as the Speakeasy Soiree.

Along with his work benefiting Swingin’ Denver, he has also given business, marketing, teacher hiring and band booking advice to the owners of Swing Nights, Fort Collins Swing Dance, Colorado Balboa and the Mercury Cafe to help bolster their businesses and, therefore, the greater swing dance community.

He has also been an advocate for safe and welcoming spaces as part of this mission. This includes  hosting a Blue Bench training seminar for his staff,  sponsoring a pro-social bystander workshop for the local swing community and an upcoming workshop on Boundaries in Dance, along with developing the first Code of Conduct within the Colorado swing dance community.

Finally, him and Jesse are well known track placement coordinators for their organization, hard work, decision-making and empathy. They have been the track placement coordinators for over 3 years at Lindy Focus and are helping them implement Skill Assessment courses this year. Jesse also runs track placements at Swingout New Hampshire.

Noticeable wins and placements include:
2017
1st Place – Camp Hollywood Open Showcase
Hall of Fame inductee at Camp Hollywood
3rd Place – ILHC Open Showcase Division
2016
1st Place – Montreal Swing Riot Strictly
2015
2nd Place – Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown Strictly
2nd Place – Camp Hollywood Shag Division
3rd Place – Camp Hollywood Open Lindy Division
Golden Budgie Winners at Camp Hollywood
Underground Jitterbug Championship Winners at Camp Hollywood
2013
1st Place (tied) – Underground Jitterbug Championships at Camp Hollywood
2012
2nd Place – Pro Lindy Division at Camp Hollywood
2nd Place – Strictly Division at Fallin’ in Blues
3rd Place – Open Strictly at Best of the Best

Aerial Bio:

Kenny Nelson, international swing dance aerial instructor, has been learning lifts and aerials since 1996. At Louis & Company in Kansas City, he became a voracious swing dance aerial student, studying Monsters of Swing tapes. Eventually his desire to learn more and improve his lindy hop skills, led him to Denver in 2005, home of the renowned lindy hop team, 23 Skidoo. They were known for their high-energy, quality dancers and flying aerials.

Through much hard effort and study, he was asked to join their team in late 2005. In 2006 and 2007, Kenny and 23 Skidoo won consecutive first place championships at Camp Hollywood’s and ULHS’ team divisions. 23 Skidoo also performed in Dallas in front of the America’s Got Talent judges in 2008.

Kenny began teaching regular aerial classes and workshops with Tiffiny Wine in 2008 through Denver Swing Dance. This aerial teaching path led him to Galway, Ireland and further. As a sought after international swing dance aerial instructor, he has taught swing dance aerials in the following locations:

Denver, Colorado (since 2008)
Galway, Ireland (2009)
Ft. Smith, Arkansas (2009)
Porto, Portugal (2011, 2012)
Lisbon, Portugal (2011)
Madrid, Spain (2011, 2012, 2013)
Melbourne, Australia (2011)
Adelaide, Australia (2011)
London, England (2012, 2013)
Barcelona, Spain (2012, 2013)
Valencia, Spain (2012, 2013)
Beantown Camp (2012, 2013)
Zaragoza, Spain (2012)
Berlin, Germany (2012)
Sofia, Bulgaria (2013)
Zagreb, Croatia (2013)
Wichita, Kansas (2013)
Luxembourg, Luxembourg (2013)
Rochester, New York (2013, 2014)
Los Angeles (2015)
San Francisco (2017)
Asheville, North Carolina (2017)

He has trained and coached members of the Truman State University Swingers, CU Jitterbuffs, Woodside Jumpers, Roc City Hoppers, Swing Sesh, and 23 Skidoo.

He has performed with the Swingsters, 23 Skidoo, Roc City Hoppers, Big City Swing, the Balboa Justice League and other small ensemble swing dance teams.
2013 Beantown Bounce

Other Placements:
2009
1st Place – Underground Jitterbug Championships at Camp Hollywood
5th Place – Pro Strictly at Camp Hollywood
2008
1st Place – Fast Finals Division at Lindy on the Rocks
2007
2nd Place – Jitterbug Contest at Camp Hollywood
2006
5th Place – Jitterbug Contest at Camp Hollywood
3rd Place – Pro/Am Division at Camp Jitterbug
3rd Place – Open Division Jack & Jill at ULHS