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One of America's busiest Lindy and Balboa teachers, Valerie has a reputation for her finesse on the dance floor. She emphasizes musicality and connection regardless of the style of swing. Since 2002 Valerie has taken home the 2003 National Jitterbug Championships (NJC) Grand Slam Championship, became both the 2004 NJC Balboa Champions and the 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships (ALHC) American Showcase Champions and most recently, (in 2005) she returned to ALHC to place 2nd in the same competition.
Valerie is the organizer of the 'All Balboa Weekend' held annually in her home town of Cleveland. This Weekend event first started in 2001 and was the first major dance camp dedicated solely to Balboa. It features the American Classic Balboa Championships (ACBC), one of the nations most respected and sought after Balboa competitions. www.AllBalboa.com.
Valerie also played a major role in organizing (and participating in) the Guinness World Record breaking 'Heart Health Hop' event sponsored by St. Joseph Aspirin, which broke the record for the 'Longest Dance Party'. From July 29-31 (2003), 41 participants danced at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, for 52 hours and 3 minutes...smashing the old record! www.guinessworldrecords.com (search "longest dance party")
Valerie is enthusiastic about passing on her love and passion for dance and she brings a fresh, interesting, and lighthearted attitude to both the dance floor and the classroom.
Valerie teaches all over the United States,
Canada and Europe and runs a dance studio in her hometown of Cleveland,
OH. Check out her upcoming Schedule for 2007 here.
Valerie
* April 2008, International Balboa Championship - Balboa Rendezvous - 1st place (Champions)
* October 2004, American Lindy Hop Championships - American Showcase
Division - 1st place (Champions)
* August 2004, National Jitterbug Championships - Balboa Division - 1st
place (Champions)
* July 2004, Northeast Lindy Hop Championships - Balboa Division - 1st
place (Champions)
* October 2003, American Lindy Hop Championships - American Showcase
Division - 3rd place in the nation
* October 2003, American Lindy Hop Championships - American Showcase
Division - 3rd place
* October 2003, American Lindy Hop Championships - Champions Jack & Jill -
2nd place
* October 2003, American Lindy Hop Championships - Masters Division - 3rd
place
* August 2003, Summer Hummer - Invitational Jack & Jill - 2nd place
* August 2003, National Jitterbug Championships - Grand Slam Award
Winners (see next 4 placements)
* August 2003, National Jitterbug Championships - Balboa Division - 2nd place
* August 2003, National Jitterbug Championships - Pro Lindy Division - 4th place
* August 2003, National Jitterbug Championships - Collegiate Shag Division - 5th place
* August 2003, National Jitterbug Championships - Showcase Division - 6th place
* July 2003, Broke Guinness Record for "Longest Dance Party" - 52
hours, 3 minutes
* June 2003, Beantown Mini-Camp - Strictly Lindy Division - 1st place (Champions)
* April 2003, North Atlantic Dance Championships - Team Division - 4th place
* March 2003, Motor City Jam – Jack & Jill (Lindy) – 1st place (Champion)
* March 2003, American Lindy Hop Championships Qualifier – 1st in the
Midwest
* March 2003, Motor City Jam – Strictly Lindy Division – 1st place (Champions)
* November 2002, Swingin' New England - Showcase Division - 1st place
(Champions)
* November 2002, Swingin' New England - Team Division - 2nd place
* October 2002, American Lindy Hop Championships - 6th place in the
nation
* October 2002, American Lindy Hop Championships - Fast Division - 4th
place
* August 2002, National Jitterbug Championships - Showcase Division
- 2nd place
* July 2002, World Fast Dance Championships - 1st place (Champions)
* March 2002, Mid US Jack & Jill - Lindy 1st place
* American Lindy Hop Championships 2001 - 2nd place in the nation
* American Lindy Hop Championships 2002 qualifier in Atlanta - 1st in
the Southeast
* National Jitterbug Championships 2001 - BALBOA 2nd place
* National Jitterbug Championships 2001 - COLLEGIATE SHAG 2nd place
* National Jitterbug Championships 2001 - PRO LINDY 3rd place
* American Lindy Hop Championships 2001 qualifier in Detroit - 2nd in
Midwest
* American Lindy Hop Championships 2000 - 8th place in the nation
* American Lindy Hop Championships 2000 qualifier in Detroit - 3rd in
the Midwest
* American Lindy Hop Championships 1999 - 9th place in the nation
* American Lindy Hop Championships 1999 qualifier in Chicago – 3rd in
the Midwest
* Midwest Swingfest 1999 - 1st place Lindy Hop division
* Performed with the Southwest Florida Pops Orchestra
* Performed with the Evansville Philharmonic Pops Orchestra
* Continually perform with Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday Big Band
* Continually perform with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra
We have other instructors that share the same love and passion for the dance.
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Leaders
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Followers
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Matt Mitchell |
Valerie Salstrom
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Andy Lammers |
Mary Ann Carothers
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Mark Muthersbaugh |
Jennifer Reed
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Dick Hurwitz |
Jan Hurwitz
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David Stein |
Dani Dowler |
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Jeff Leake |
Beth Flynn |
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