Instructors
L.A. Jitterbug has been offering classes in many music styles for many years. Our professional instructors are passionate and offer a unique learning experience. Come and Join us!
Stephen Sayer
Meet Steve, a passionate dancer and instructor who is dedicated to preserving the great American partner jazz dances of the 1920s-1950s. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Steve fell in love with lindy hop and other dances of the swing era at the age of 16. He traveled to the east and west coasts to dance, study, and learn the different styles of swing. In 2005, he moved to Los Angeles and began teaching weekly at Joe's Bar and Grill in Burbank. Steve's talent and dedication led him to win many Los Angeles contests, such as the Bayside Lindy Battle and the Paladino's Jitterbug contest in 2009.
In 2010, 2011 and 2012 he won 1st place in the Collegiate Shag division at the National Jitterbug Championships with partner Fancy Dougherty. Also in 2011 he won 1st place with partner Chandrae Roettig at the National Jitterbug Championships and the US Open Strictly Lindy Hop divisions. In 2012 he and Chanzie won the Camp Jitterbug Strictly Lindy, US Open Strictly Lindy and came in 2nd at the International Lindy Hop Championships. In 2012 Stephen was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
Today Steve teaches weekly at Madilyn Clark Studios in North Hollywood and has started the California Jubilee performance teams. He is committed to improving and pushing the limits of his own dancing as well as those who take his classes. His focus of connection to partner and music are what makes his dancing and teaching so unique.
Chandrae Roetting Gomez
Chandrae’s beginnings warranted her an early career as a gymnast, after which she was introduced to contemporary dance at Dance Vision, in Portland, Oregon.
Garnering a scholarship to The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, Chandrae graduated from their professional program. Specializing and excelling in Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Contemporary and Theater Dance Styles, her early training afforded her the scope, to bring her athleticism to Swing Dance. Her success as a graduate from The Edge Performing Arts Center, has allowed Ms. Roettig to work with some of LA’s top choreographers in film, television, music and stage. Often serving in the duel roles of dancer/performer and co-choreographer.
Her true love and passion for preserving the history of classic Swing Dancing and its
various styles has garnered her a position of respect, as a celebrated teacher in the Swing world for the past 7 years. Astute in the various styles of swing, Chandrae has focused on teaching the skill of partnering for the past 10. Her cheerful and playful attitude proves her a joy to watch.
Chandrae performed in the major motion picture entitled “Gangster Squad”, alongside her dance partner Stephen Sayer. Together, they have taught at Swing/Jazz Camps and won national titles in Swing Dance competitions with Festivals in the U.S. and throughout the world. She and Steven have created 3 performance groups with a are committed to seeing vintage Swing Dance and Collegiate Shag back on the main stage, in a big way.
Karine Hermes
Karine Hermes is a Brazilian dancer, with a background in Ballet, Jazz and Belly dance before Rockabilly and Swing dances, such as Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Blues and others.
She gathered experience from learning many different styles and approaches from around the world, and after teaching Swing in Brazil since 2014, she started teaching in L.A. and internationally with world-renowned swing champions Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roettig in 2016. Together, they are the center of the shag scene in LA, hosting the acclaimed LA Shag Festival, and as swing community leaders, they provide group and private classes, coach award-winning competition teams, organize festivals, perform in events/film, and more.
She leads the L.A. JV Shag team with Stephen, winning 1st place in 2017 and 4th place in 2018 at the National Jitterbug Championships., and also The Shag Shakers with Hunter.
Elegantly, she brings the malleability and gracefulness from Brazilian dances like forró and samba to her style. With a passion for Pilates and Fitness, she is especially keen on promoting good posture, a healthy strong yet mobile spine support, body awareness and isolations, which all together helps achieve good shape and create better lines in dancing. She believes that growing self-appreciation impacts all aspects of life. With this in mind, Karine also teaches ladies-only classes, focusing on feminine figure and movement.
She is fun and inspirational and will have you moving parts you did’t know existed!