Melissa McRobbie-Toll - West Coast Swing & Salsa
Candela owner / West Coast Swing & Salsa instructor
When I was 18, my Dad started ballroom dancing and bought me a gift certificate for a salsa class. I was hooked. A few years later, I joined salsa performance company Salsamania and trained and performed with them. I then continued my training with Mambo Romero and later the all-ladies’ troupe Kañandonga.
I dance salsa “On 1,” or L.A.-style, and “On 2,” New York-style. The numbers relate to the beat on which you change direction in your footwork. It’s a subtle difference but it changes the feel of the dance.
I lived in Brooklyn, New York, for a year and would take the subway to Manhattan in a snowstorm to get to my favorite mambo venues. It was there that I got “On 2” mambo in my bloodstream. There was nothing better than walking into Jimmy Anton’s social at Dance Manhattan on a Sunday afternoon, where the dancing was so fierce that beads of sweat would fly off spinning dancers’ hair and hit you as you entered the room; it was electric.
I never thought I could love any dance more until I saw some champion West Coast Swing dancers perform at a convention in Reno several years ago. I switched gears and began to study this intriguing dance style, where improvisation, connection and musicality are valued above all else. I appreciated the creativity and spontaneity, and the space for followers to express themselves.
I also loved the variety of music; WCS can be danced to many genres, including blues, Motown and Top 40 hits. I began competing and attending conventions all over the West Coast, and now compete in the "Advanced" division. I teach weekly West Coast Swing classes at Candela, and it is a great feeling to see new dancers getting hooked on WCS the way I did!
When I was 18, my Dad started ballroom dancing and bought me a gift certificate for a salsa class. I was hooked. A few years later, I joined salsa performance company Salsamania and trained and performed with them. I then continued my training with Mambo Romero and later the all-ladies’ troupe Kañandonga.
I dance salsa “On 1,” or L.A.-style, and “On 2,” New York-style. The numbers relate to the beat on which you change direction in your footwork. It’s a subtle difference but it changes the feel of the dance.
I lived in Brooklyn, New York, for a year and would take the subway to Manhattan in a snowstorm to get to my favorite mambo venues. It was there that I got “On 2” mambo in my bloodstream. There was nothing better than walking into Jimmy Anton’s social at Dance Manhattan on a Sunday afternoon, where the dancing was so fierce that beads of sweat would fly off spinning dancers’ hair and hit you as you entered the room; it was electric.
I never thought I could love any dance more until I saw some champion West Coast Swing dancers perform at a convention in Reno several years ago. I switched gears and began to study this intriguing dance style, where improvisation, connection and musicality are valued above all else. I appreciated the creativity and spontaneity, and the space for followers to express themselves.
I also loved the variety of music; WCS can be danced to many genres, including blues, Motown and Top 40 hits. I began competing and attending conventions all over the West Coast, and now compete in the "Advanced" division. I teach weekly West Coast Swing classes at Candela, and it is a great feeling to see new dancers getting hooked on WCS the way I did!
Christine Lazina - West Coast Swing
Christine is a West Coast transplant who grew up in rural North Carolina. Her first introduction to partner dancing was two-stepping at rodeos and staff dances while working in New Mexico during her college summers. When she first moved to Oregon in 2015, one of those fellow dancers said "You're moving to Oregon? They've got an amazing West Coast Swing culture there! You've gotta try it!" She started taking lessons at the Evergreen Ballroom, and was completely hooked.
Since then Christine has enjoyed growing her WCS skill set and dabbling in other dance styles. She's incredibly happy to contribute to the amazing community Melissa and Candela have created, and to help others experience the joy and connection of dancing.
Since then Christine has enjoyed growing her WCS skill set and dabbling in other dance styles. She's incredibly happy to contribute to the amazing community Melissa and Candela have created, and to help others experience the joy and connection of dancing.
Jarita Irvin - Belly Dance/Bollywood
Jarita Irvin brings her style of Bollywood flair to Southern Oregon. She was born in Kolkata, India, adopted as a baby in '83 and brought to the U.S. where she grew up in Grants Pass. After traveling & living elsewhere as a young adult she moved back with her family to Grants Pass in 2016. She has been pleased to grow with the community.
Jarita blends various dance styles including Belly Dance, Tribal Fusion, Latin Styles, West Coast Swing, Hip Hop, and Burlesque. She has always had a passion for music. College is where she began to be further involved in the dance part of musical expression, having been involved with gymnastics & Acros, and a performance dance group. Intermittently she joined friends for West Coast Swing at the Evergreen Ballroom and assisted in teaching beginning classes. Jarita became involved in performing with a WCS group under the instruction of Tina Ferris. Since then she continues to expand her knowledge and teaching styles. Jarita began taking belly dance with Sarah Jane at ClubNW 5 years ago and teaches there currently. Her goals include to “never limit myself to try something new.”
Jarita's passion for connection with her birth country was re-kindled while at a theatre production produced by DJ Prashant and Jai Ho Dance Troupe "A Bollywood Dream," at the Hult Center in Eugene. She’s excited to share Bollywood with this community and eager to continue to evolve as an instructor and dancer while showing appreciation of both her heritage and upbringing through our ever expanding dance family.
Jarita blends various dance styles including Belly Dance, Tribal Fusion, Latin Styles, West Coast Swing, Hip Hop, and Burlesque. She has always had a passion for music. College is where she began to be further involved in the dance part of musical expression, having been involved with gymnastics & Acros, and a performance dance group. Intermittently she joined friends for West Coast Swing at the Evergreen Ballroom and assisted in teaching beginning classes. Jarita became involved in performing with a WCS group under the instruction of Tina Ferris. Since then she continues to expand her knowledge and teaching styles. Jarita began taking belly dance with Sarah Jane at ClubNW 5 years ago and teaches there currently. Her goals include to “never limit myself to try something new.”
Jarita's passion for connection with her birth country was re-kindled while at a theatre production produced by DJ Prashant and Jai Ho Dance Troupe "A Bollywood Dream," at the Hult Center in Eugene. She’s excited to share Bollywood with this community and eager to continue to evolve as an instructor and dancer while showing appreciation of both her heritage and upbringing through our ever expanding dance family.
Jerry and Sue Ames - Country 2-Step, East Coast Swing & More
Sue and Jerry are back teaching their first passion: Country Two Step. They have been team teaching as a couple for close to 30 years.
If you only learn one Country Western couples dance, this should be it; it's a fun dance done to peppy music, a staple of Country music at every dance event!
If you only learn one Country Western couples dance, this should be it; it's a fun dance done to peppy music, a staple of Country music at every dance event!
Jessica Gallegos - Salsa/Latin
Since I was a little girl I have always been passionate about dancing. Over ten years ago, I finally decided to take my first salsa class at a dance studio in Chicago, Illinois. I was immediately hooked and fell in love with Latin dancing. From there, I dedicated many hours and time to training with many elite instructors in the City of Chicago. I also danced on three performance teams that focused on salsa and bachata routines. We performed in salsa congresses from the west coast to the Dominican Republic! I am now so excited to have the opportunity to teach at Candela Dance Studio and I am hoping to share my love and passion for Latin dancing.
Kat Greene & Jay Kaneholani
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Our Halau (School) Hula 'O Nuku 'Āina (A Passage in the Land) started in Grants Pass in 2011 under the direction of Kat Greene. Since then, haumana (students) of all ages have been coming together to explore the music, dances and traditional crafts of Hawaii and Polynesia. Our goal is to share the hula experience throughout the Rogue Valley for enjoyment, education and the support of cultural diversity. For more information, visit www.HulaKat.com
Lauren Bellenbaum - West Coast Swing
My interest in dance started at age 3 when I began ballet and tap dancing. My passions later changed to gymnastics and then competitive tennis, but I never lost a heart for dancing and eventually returned to dance in 2017 when I attended my first West Coast Swing lesson and met my future husband, Shawn. We both quickly became obsessed with West Coast Swing and began traveling all across the country to pursue our love for this dance.
Over the last five years, I have become a competitive West Coast Swing dancer and love taking workshops, social dancing, competing, and further honing my dance skills. I have also expanded my dance interests into Latin style dancing and have found a passion for this style of dancing as well. I can't wait to continue teaching at Candela and spreading my love and joy of dancing with you all!
Over the last five years, I have become a competitive West Coast Swing dancer and love taking workshops, social dancing, competing, and further honing my dance skills. I have also expanded my dance interests into Latin style dancing and have found a passion for this style of dancing as well. I can't wait to continue teaching at Candela and spreading my love and joy of dancing with you all!
Lilianna Hernandez - Youth Ballroom
Lilianna was born and raised in Southern Oregon and is a local to Grants Pass. She started her relationship with dance as an 11-year-old girl who walked into her first ballroom class, saw she had to hold hands with boys, and ran out of the studio telling her mom she was too shy to take the class.
Thankfully, she did go back to the class and dance has been her passion ever since. She started competing in ballroom that first year, thanks to the Evergreen Ballroom and the wonderful staff and sponsors that put on The Southern Oregon Youth Ballroom Competition, and to date has placed 1st multiple times.
Lilianna began her dance career learning Ballroom and Latin dance styles, and through Candela Dance Studio she was able broaden her skills and repertoire by learning West Coast Swing, Salsa, and Bachata.
Even though Lilianna is now getting the opportunity to teach and share her passion for dance with others, she considers herself a perpetual student, as her love for learning and honing her technique never fades.
In the field of dance, there is always something new to learn and practice, and training never really ends. Talented and devoted teachers like Tina Ferris, Cori Grimm, Melissa McRobbie-Toll, Colette Kuhl, Saraleno, and many more nurtured and stoked the fire in her to come out of her shell and become the best dancer she could be. Through their encouragement, support, and mentorship, Lilianna blossomed and thrived. Now she wants to pour back into the dance community that awakened this love inside her and pass this love on to new students. She’s so excited and grateful to be a member of Candela’s amazing team and family.
Thankfully, she did go back to the class and dance has been her passion ever since. She started competing in ballroom that first year, thanks to the Evergreen Ballroom and the wonderful staff and sponsors that put on The Southern Oregon Youth Ballroom Competition, and to date has placed 1st multiple times.
Lilianna began her dance career learning Ballroom and Latin dance styles, and through Candela Dance Studio she was able broaden her skills and repertoire by learning West Coast Swing, Salsa, and Bachata.
Even though Lilianna is now getting the opportunity to teach and share her passion for dance with others, she considers herself a perpetual student, as her love for learning and honing her technique never fades.
In the field of dance, there is always something new to learn and practice, and training never really ends. Talented and devoted teachers like Tina Ferris, Cori Grimm, Melissa McRobbie-Toll, Colette Kuhl, Saraleno, and many more nurtured and stoked the fire in her to come out of her shell and become the best dancer she could be. Through their encouragement, support, and mentorship, Lilianna blossomed and thrived. Now she wants to pour back into the dance community that awakened this love inside her and pass this love on to new students. She’s so excited and grateful to be a member of Candela’s amazing team and family.
Maryann McClard - Line Dance
I have been a Line Dance instructor for over 20 years. My first class was held in my home, and soon I began to make a name for myself in Kansas and Missouri as a Line Dance instructor. I attended conferences sponsored by National Teachers Association for Country Western Dancing, and became a certified beginner and intermediate instructor. I soon began taking classes in West Coast Swing, Salsa, Country Cha Cha, Country Waltz, Nightclub 2-Step and Country 2-Step, which I began teaching in Topeka, Kansas, along with Line Dance.
I moved to Oregon in July of 2012 and felt so very out of place, with no dancing to help me cope with isolation. I found a place to learn Bachata, and later met Melissa and Candela, and soon my world of dancing was whole again. I have been the Line Dance instructor for Candela since 2014 and am proud to continue to be a member of the Candela family. Since then, I have taught Country 2-Step, Nightclub 2-Step and assisted Melissa with West Coast Swing.
I moved to Oregon in July of 2012 and felt so very out of place, with no dancing to help me cope with isolation. I found a place to learn Bachata, and later met Melissa and Candela, and soon my world of dancing was whole again. I have been the Line Dance instructor for Candela since 2014 and am proud to continue to be a member of the Candela family. Since then, I have taught Country 2-Step, Nightclub 2-Step and assisted Melissa with West Coast Swing.
Paul Diffendaffer - West Coast Swing
Paul has been moving to music since the 80's, when he was a certified aerobics instructor, but he came to dance later in life. Although he began with no rhythm in his feet but plenty of music in his soul, over the past 16 years he's become skillful in social dancing, learning everything from West Coast Swing to Viennese Waltz.
He has been an active member of Myles and Tessa's SwingLiteracy.com program since its inception. His favorite dances are West Coast Swing because of the opportunity for follower play, and Night Club Two Step because of the beautiful, romantic songs.
He believes that if HE can dance, anyone can. He focuses on safety, having fun, and the social experience in partner dancing. To him, social dancing is a wonderful part of being human that everyone should experience. Paul teaches West Coast Swing and Nightclub 2-Step.
Paul has started a website as a resource for his dancers. To visit it, click HERE.
He has been an active member of Myles and Tessa's SwingLiteracy.com program since its inception. His favorite dances are West Coast Swing because of the opportunity for follower play, and Night Club Two Step because of the beautiful, romantic songs.
He believes that if HE can dance, anyone can. He focuses on safety, having fun, and the social experience in partner dancing. To him, social dancing is a wonderful part of being human that everyone should experience. Paul teaches West Coast Swing and Nightclub 2-Step.
Paul has started a website as a resource for his dancers. To visit it, click HERE.
Robyn Russell - Tribal Fusion Belly Dance
Growing up in Hillsboro, Robyn has been in dance classes since she could walk. But it wasn’t until middle school that she was introduced to her true dance passion: Tribal Fusion Belly Dance. Now she enjoys sharing her passion with others through classes and performances around the Grants Pass area as ‘The Morrigan’.
Shawn Bellenbaum - West Coast Swing
Shawn Bellenbaum was raised in Grants Pass. He graduated from Grants Pass High School and followed his father’s footsteps into the construction business. In 2021, Shawn and his business partner Stephen started a house painting business, Grants Pass Painting.
Shawn began his dance career in 2017 at Candela. At his first West Coast Swing class, he met his wife Lauren, who also was attending her first class. They started to practice together, fell in love, then got married, and now they have a baby girl named Carter. Shawn’s 10-year-old daughter Luxely has been along the dance journey with her dad since the start and loves dancing. Shawn is a competitive West Coast Swing dancer and enjoys several other types of dance.
One of Shawn’s other passions has been sports coaching. Shawn has been coaching Girls Basketball at Hidden Valley High School since 2016. He loves giving back to the community by being a positive role model to young athletes. Shawn also enjoys playing various sports, long-distance running and spending quality time with his friends and family.
Shawn began his dance career in 2017 at Candela. At his first West Coast Swing class, he met his wife Lauren, who also was attending her first class. They started to practice together, fell in love, then got married, and now they have a baby girl named Carter. Shawn’s 10-year-old daughter Luxely has been along the dance journey with her dad since the start and loves dancing. Shawn is a competitive West Coast Swing dancer and enjoys several other types of dance.
One of Shawn’s other passions has been sports coaching. Shawn has been coaching Girls Basketball at Hidden Valley High School since 2016. He loves giving back to the community by being a positive role model to young athletes. Shawn also enjoys playing various sports, long-distance running and spending quality time with his friends and family.
Tammy Hoffman
I began taking dance lessons at the age of 5. Ballet is where it all began for me. Through the years, more dance classes were added including jazz, tap, gymnastics, lyrical, modern, and so on. For several years, I performed with the dance studio company. I was on my high school's dance team, and after high school I found a love for country line dancing and 2-Step. I fell away from dance for many years, as life took over.
When I moved to Grants Pass in 2016, I was looking to connect with people within the community. I went on the Meetup app and saw West Coast Swing lessons at Candela Dance Studio. In the beginning, I was a ball of nerves walking into class, but quickly felt a warm embrace from the dance community. It didn't take long to fall in love with the dance. And it is a privilege and an honor to have been invited to teach West Coast Swing.
When I moved to Grants Pass in 2016, I was looking to connect with people within the community. I went on the Meetup app and saw West Coast Swing lessons at Candela Dance Studio. In the beginning, I was a ball of nerves walking into class, but quickly felt a warm embrace from the dance community. It didn't take long to fall in love with the dance. And it is a privilege and an honor to have been invited to teach West Coast Swing.