Staff

Houston Texas

Mario "Swing Daddy" Robau started dancing at the age of sixteen and began teaching professionally in 1986. For the last twenty years, Mario has traveled at least 40 weekends per year judging, teaching, deejaying, and emceeing at various dance workshops and conventions throughout the United States and Canada in the swing, country western, and shag dance circuits. Mario's Competitive credentials include: 2 time U.S. Open Classic swing dance champion; U.S. Open Team Champion and co-choreographer; 10 time Dallas Dance champion; 6 time Southwest Regional champion; 10 time Texas State champion; 10+ City Houston Championships; undefeated slow whip champion; 4 time Grand National Champion; 2 time Phoenix Jack and Jill Champion; Dallas Dance Hall of Fame; Youngest person inducted into Swing Dance Hall of Fame

WATCH 'SWING DADDY' IN ACTION

Indianapolis Indiana

Eric Byers is a West Coast Swing dance instructor from Indianapolis, Indiana. He has a reputation of dancing with any and every partner as well as making each dance fun, creative, and unique. He creates an atmosphere that allows students to be comfortable letting loose and having fun in a relaxed and inclusive learning environment. His teaching has heavy focus on connection within the dance and the conversation that happens within the music between two partners

Eric is the reigning NASDE All-Star Jack & Jill Tour Champion. Influenced by Hip Hop, Argentine Tango, and Bachata, Eric’s unique dance style has resulted in him being internationally recognized alongside some of the best West Coast Swing dancers in the world.

St Louis Missouri

Matt Auclair is a 6 time national west coast swing dance champion. He is the youngest person to be inducted in the Dallas Dance Hall of Fame. He has taught and competed both nationally and internationally.

His true occupation is a 4th grade school teacher. He feels that because he is a teacher it makes him capable of breaking down his lessons in an easy fun way. He looks forward to coming to Louisville to the NuLu Open!

WATCH MATT DO HIS THING!

Louisville Kentucky

Brian B is a 5 UCWDC superstar world champion and a 2017 inductee to the UCWDC country dance hall of fame!

Megan Anderson is the 2015 UCWDC pro/pro world champion.

As a professional partnership they were undefeated during the 2017 dance season finishing  2nd in the masters division at World Championships in San Fransisco in January 2018.

WATCH THEM POLKA (Megan can spin!)

Chicago Illinois

Maren is a national level instructor, competitor and judge, recently put her national travel and competition schedule on hold to allow her to develop and grow the local dance community. Her passion for teaching and her desire to share her love of dance led her to expand her local business, opening her own studio in Tinley Park, IL and starting the Illinois Ballroom Teacher College, one of her most exciting ventures.

Maren has traveled extensively across the U.S. for the past 10 years earning a reputation as a top level dancer, teacher and judge and carries with her a host of wins and titles in Country, Latin, Ballroom, Hustle and Swing, including more wins than she can count in her favorite arenas, Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill competitions.

WATCH MAREN WCS (she is a beast 😉

Hebron Kentucky

Jason Miklic and Sophy Kdep met on the dance floor in May of 1998 and they have been dancing together ever since. They travel throughout the country teaching, competing, performing, and judging are ranked among the top West Coast Swing dancers in the country. JasonAndSophy are full-time dance instructors specializing in swing, country, hustle, ballroom, and theatre arts. They are passionate promoters of West Coast Swing.  As instructors, JasonAndSophy are known for their unique ability to illustrate techniques, giving their students a better understanding of movement and helping them achieve their maximum dancing potential.

Watch Jason & Sophy

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Mona is the best in the business as a country DJ. A recent inductee into the UCWDC hall of fame she is the most prolific DJ on the country dance circuit. We have proud to have her at NuLu Open. 

Powell, Ohio

Toni is one of the best in the midwest. She has a passion for keeping the social dancers on the floor day and night. 

Louisville, Kentucky

Louis is a top DJ for the US Open, Mad Jam and Swing Diego among others. He has been playing music for Swing, Country and Linedancers for 35+ years. He is also one of the few DJ's to have a bobblehead award created in his likeness. 

Birmingham, Alabama

With a background as a professional country and swing dancer, Jonathan brings over 20 years of dance experience to the DJ booth. He is sure to keep you dancing all weekend long!

Here are some other awesome people that will join us!

Dawn Garrish - Head Judge for WCS - Maryland (Swing & Country)

Antionette Santoro (Country) 

Eric Nava (Country & Swing) 

Bill Robinson (Country)

Tony Lee - Country Contest Coordinator ( Country)

Ronnie & Cindy Mullins  from Tip City, Ohio - (Country)

Vickie Rose from Nashville, TN - (Country)

Emily Larsen & Ben Howard from Louisville KY - (Country & Swing)

Jacob Thornton from Louisville KY - (Country & Swing)

Alex Slatsky & Rachel Watts from Birmingham, AL - (Country)

Dorsey Napier - Ohio (Country)

Donna Caudill from Louisville KY - (Country)

Mona Brandt from Arizona - (Country & Swing)

Rachel Mercedes from Chicago, IL - *pending*

Jake Haning from Atlanta, GA - *pending*