Kristin Lyn
Dance It Out! Country Swing Style -May 26

How did you first get into country line dancing?
A friend brought me to Prospector’s [Steakhouse and Saloon in Mt. Laurel} and I had no idea what to expect. I walked in and saw everyone dancing in sync and thought, “How do they all know this—and how do I not?” I was a little anxious at first, but also excited. Once I started learning, I just wanted to keep going back and learn everything.

What drew you in and kept you coming back?

I’ve always loved music and dance—I’m actually a violinist—so that connection was already there. But what really kept me coming back was the community. People were so welcoming and willing to help, showing me steps and encouraging me to stick with it.

What makes Prospector’s such a unique place to dance?

It’s one of the only large venues in New Jersey dedicated to this kind of dancing, and it’s very accessible—you can just show up, request a song, and get out on the floor. There’s line dancing and partner dancing happening at the same time, and there’s a real sense of community. You see familiar faces, meet new people, and everyone’s there to have a good time.

What do you love most about country line dancing?
Definitely the friendships. I’ve met so many people through dance, and it’s taken me to events all over the country. I love traveling, so being able to combine that with dancing has been really meaningful for me.

Any advice for someone trying it for the first time?
Don’t give up, and don’t leave the floor. Everyone starts somewhere. Be patient with yourself, start with beginner dances, and you might surprise yourself with how quickly you pick it up

Learn more about Prospector’s dance venue and dancing classes at https://www.prospectorsrestaurant.com/dance-venue.

Audrey Davis-Dunning

Dance It Out! West African Style – June 2

What’s your dance genre?
I teach and perform West African dance all over the Tri-State area. Whether I’m in the studio or onstage, my mission is the same: to share the beauty and power of African dance. Everyone deserves a chance to feel the energy, connection, and pure happiness that the dance brings.

What’s at the heart of your dance?
The drums–the unique African instruments that bring the continent’s soundscape to life.

But African dance is more than music and movement—it’s culture, it’s history, it’s resistance. Every time I dance or teach, I’m honoring that legacy.

Any advice for newbies?
No experience needed—just bring your spirit and your smile!

Learn more about Audrey’s online African dance community and her free online class offerings at www.getyourgoddess.com

Maria Tylek
Dance It Out! Andean Style – June 9

You’ve been dancing professionally around the world for over 50 years. What’s your nutshell dance bio?

I was born in Ecuador and started ballet at age 10. At age 15 I joined the Ballet Hispanico as the youngest member—an unbelievable experience. I also toured nationally with the national dance company of Ecuador. Now I work with a Mexican folkloric dance group whose members range in age from 40 to 60. I also teach flamenco dance at the Sharron Miller Academy for the Performing Arts.

For your World Stage workshop, you choose cumbia. What drew you to Colombia’s national dance?

Cumbia is very famous all over Latin America. It’s a very happy dance that comes out of the folk traditions of the agricultural communities. There are movements that imitate the way men use machetes and knives in the fields, the way women carry candles. Cumbia has the flavor of the Inca, the indigenous people, and the Andes mountains.

There are two different styles of cumbia: folk style and popular style, as it’s danced at parties. I will teach both styles.

Any advice for newbies?

Hear the music and let the music come into your body. Just enjoy and be free. You’re in the world of dance.

Swati Chaturvedi
Dance It Out! Bollywood Style – June 16

What’s Bollywood, and what excites you about teaching it?
Bollywood is a fusion of Indian folk dances and choreography made popular in films made in Mumbai, India’s Hollywood. It blends Indian classical and folk traditions with global styles like hip hop and jazz. At its heart, it’s about joy, self-expression, and storytelling. It’s my vehicle for bringing people together to connect, try something new, and express themselves.

Where would most people in your community encounter Bollywood dancing outside the theater?
Everywhere there’s a celebration! Weddings, festivals, milestone parties—you’ll often find a dance floor filling up as soon as a Bollywood hit comes on. And now we are in the Holi season! Bollywood has become a shared language of celebration, where people jump in, follow familiar “hook steps,” and dance together. Beyond the screen, Bollywood is now big on TikTok and Instagram, all over the internet.

What can people expect at your workshop?
A welcoming, non-judgmental space where we connect through movement. We’ll learn together and by the end, dance as a group—as if we were in our own Bollywood video! I also encourage adults to channel their inner child—put the camera down, be present, and enjoy the moment together.