Today was a bittersweet goodbye to the place I found my freedom and myself - to first place that was ever truly mine.
Today was also the official start of our next chapter - cultivating a home full of warmth, creativity, and love in NE (Minneapolis) ❤️
This may be a month overdue, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to recap one of my favorite events. Spotlight will always hold a special place in my heart. Three years ago, it was my second WCS event ever. Last year, it's where I made my first spotlighted final. This year, I participated in my first routine intensive, performing alongside so many talented dancers.
This year wasn't about scores. It was about trying something new, building friendships, getting out of my comfort zone.
Thank you to everyone who made this year so incredibly special 💕
It's official! I'm excited to be a part of SwingDiversity University's 2026 Instructor Training program! 🎉 I can't wait to learn from some of the best - Jesse Lopez & Ariel Peck!
By this time next year, I hope that I will be able to teach more confidently & effectively to learners of all levels, whether it be as a solo instructor or with a co-instructor. I'm excited to bring the skills I'll learn to my work with the Minnesota West Coast Swing Dance Club, JT Swing Teams Minneapolis, private lessons, & independent teaching opportunities. Let's do this!
We are happy to announce that JT Swing Teams is coming to the Twin Cities. Co-directed by Christopher Bernard & Jess Skjonsby, Season 13 will kick off this March!
Visit the link in our bio for upcoming info session & registration details.
It's taken me a full week into the new year to sum up my thoughts on 2025. Leaving 2024, I was determined to make the next year my best yet and I may be biased, but I do think the mission was accomplished 💪
On the whole, things are grim, but in my little corner of the world, things were pretty great. Traveling more than ever, cultivating new friendships & a home filled with love, achieving both dance and professional goals... my heart is so full.
I'm heading into 2026 with cautious optimism. I may not have control over many things in this world, but at the end of the day, I'm going to keep holding on to things that bring me joy, that preserve my humanity. Here's to a year that's better than the last 💕
The most common question we are asked when people find out we both dance is, "Do you ever get to dance together?". Up until now, our answer has been "No, we compete in different divisions". But that all changed this weekend when we drew each other in my very first Advanced final 😍
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💃: @jessdancer22
🕺: @christopherburke78
🎵: "Think I'm in Love with You" - Chris Stapleton
📍: @mmisl_sdc - Advanced J & J Finals
At the start of the year, I set a goal for myself to lead in a J&J at The Chicago Classic... fast forward 6 months, and I placed 1st as a leader, now qualifying me to compete in Intermediate 🤯 I'm excited to continue working on my skills and to set new goals for myself in 2026!
Thanks for the stellar dances, Kelsey! You were an absolute joy to dance with. Can't wait to hopefully draw you again in Intermediate 🤞
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💃: @jessdancer22 (lead)
💃: Kelsey Gonzales
🎵: "Sandman" - Gaustad
📍: @mmisl_sdc - 🥇Novice Jack & Jill
I turned 30 on Monday, and honestly, this is not what I expected my life to look like...
...it's better.
So grateful for the abundance of love I have flowing my way and the life I'm cultivating with my chosen family 🥰
(And a huge thank you to everyone @francisburgerjoint for making my birthday extra special!)
Long post incoming....
I can't say the last year was easy in terms of my dance journey. There were times my expectations were too high, where I was too hard on myself, where I was drawn into comparing myself to others... none of which brought out the best in me. Going into last weekend, I hadn't made a final in 5 months and hadn't earned a point in 8. I was feeling defeated, to say the least. I knew I had been working hard, but was frustrated my results weren't reflecting that. Ahead of Swing Fling, I tried to keep my expectations realistic - focusing on the elements I knew I could control. The result? I had the most fun in competitions, both leading and following, that I've had in a long time AND I walked away with a 1st place medal 🤯 I brought that energy and mindset with me to Chicagoland - turns out it worked again.
Watching my videos back, I don't feel like my dancing looks dramatically different than it did 5 months or even 5 weeks ago, but what does look different is my level of confidence, my intentionality in my movement, and my focus on my partner. In a lot of ways, I finally feel like I'm actually dancing, not just going through the motions of what I felt like I was "supposed to" be doing.
This weekend was the perfect way to close out my time in Intermediate. I not only got to share the podium with new and old friends, but I also drew the same song from my very first Intermediate finals a year ago at Midwest Westie Fest. A back-to-back 1st place score was nice, too 😉
Thank you, Jerome, for creating with me in these finals dances at Chicagoland - I'll catch ya in Advanced 😎
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💃: @jessdancer22
🕺: @speckome
🎵: "sun and moon" - anees
📍: @chicagolanddancefestival - 🥇 Intermediate Jack & Jill
🎥: @christopherburke78
There's nothing quite like a true J&J! For our first time dancing together, I'd say we did alright! Thanks for a cool, calm, & collected finals spotlight, Caio!
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💃: @jessdancer22
🕺: @dancing.with.kai
🎵: "Vibe" - J. Brown
📍: @dancejamproductions , Swing Fling -🥇Intermediate Jack & Jill
Another event, another Novice Finals! I've been enjoying working on both roles in my dancing lately and am happy to see my practice paying off. Now, to work on a few more patterns! 😅
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💃: @jessdancer22 (lead)
💃: Wayana Dolan (follow)
🎵: "Pressure" - James Vickery & SG Lewis
📍: @midwest_westie_fest , Novice Finals
