Rob
Rob performed in his
first stage production at the age of 7 years and studied jazz, tap and ballet
since the age of 15 years. He has performed in over 30 stage productions
including a leading role in his personal favorite, West Side Story. He worked
with various production companies including the Central California Conservatory
Theater and Sacramento’s professional summer stock theater, Music Circus.
Rob is the 1988
California State Showcase West Coast Swing Champion. He competed in the
U.C.W.D.C. circuit for about 4 years. He and his partner won several Grand
Championships in Division’s 3 and 4. In addition to the success in the
sanctioned circuit, Rob was a Regional Finalist in the Black Velvet 2-Step
contest in Sacramento. He was a National Finalist in the Marlboro 2-Step/West
Coast Swing contest in Texas after winning the Regional in Oregon and the local
in Sacramento. He currently competes at the professional invitational level and
most recently in May of 1999 won the champions division strictly swing
competition in Fresno Ca.
Gina Brown
Gina has been
studying Jazz, Tap, and Ballet since the age of 3 years. She studied for four
years with Frank Hatchett and Gregory Hines at their dance studio in New York
City and has been teaching all forms of dance since the age of 12 years.
Gina competed in
the United Country Western Dance Circuit for 4 years starting in Division 3 and
moving up through the ranks to Division 1. She and her partner won 5 Grand
Championships in the various divisions. They placed 4th overall in
the U.C.W.D.C. World Championships Showcase division 2 in 1995.
Gina currently
competes at the professional invitational Jack N Jill level and has been
invited to the Champion of Champions in Phoenix, Arizona in 1998 and 1999. She
won first place in the swing team division as a member of "Dance
West" Swing Team in 1994. Gina is the 1996 U. S. Open Street Swing
Champion.
Gina and Rob Brown
Rob and Gina
competed together in the country circuit in 1996 and 1997 winning several
awards including the U.C.W.D.C. Southwestern Regional Championships where they
placed first in Classic Division One winning all four dances. They culminated
that year competing in the U.C.W.D.C. World Championships where they placed 4th
overall in the World for the professional "Classic" Division 1.
Rob and Gina formed
a professional dance team to compete at the U. S. Open Swing championships in
1997. River City Rhythm earned 2nd place in the team division in
their first outing at the U.S. Open! They returned the following year where
they made a very memorable showing and garnered 2nd place once
again.
In 1999, they
competed in the Showcase swing division earning a respectable 2nd
place at the Seattle Easter Swing contest. The routine danced to "A Wink
and A Smile" is from the heart and is their personal favorite.
Rob and Gina are
well known for their teaching style, which incorporates a talent for breaking
down a pattern and making it understandable and enjoyable to all. Their
workshops incorporate humor, are popular and fun and always
include something for the woman as well as the man.
As private
instructors Rob and Gina have a unique perspective due to their years of
traditional dance training and competition experience as well as their
experience in the judging field. Having judged competitors in swing as well as
country and hustle gives them a perspective that well benefits their students
that have aspirations for the competition floor.