Natively from Czech Republic & Reunion Island, Jakub and Em took their first steps into the dance world at the age of 16 and 12, both starting with Ballroom Dancing (Latin, Standard & line-dancing).
After her arrival in France at the age of 18, as Em sought to start a new dance form, she bumped into a video of Jordan & Tatiana, and fell in love with WCS right away. She was trained by Maxence Martin who gave her a solid knowledge from which she developed her own dancing and teaching style. Today, she acts in the WCS Community not only as a teacher, but also as a DJ and photographer.
Jakub’s dance world consists of social dances such as Zouk, WCS or Salsa but there is also a part of solo or group Modern and Contemporary dances. He started to dance and compete in WCS in 2014, guided mainly by Maxence Martin and Mario Robau, while using a lot of his background knowledge in his approach. His philosophy in dance is focused on communication.
They were both hooked since they discovered WCS, and were especially drawn to the creativity, musicality, and freedom within the dance. Just by pure chance, they had to teach together in a styling workshop in June 2016, thanks to Rita and Adam. At the end of the week-end the students suggested that they should partner up, so they did. 🙂
They have been traveling the world ever since, flying from country to country to share their passion for WCS, and they love it…
Maxence Martin is the 1st French dancer to have obtained the title of Champion in West Coast Swing.Former Champion and black belt in Judo, he began his career in dance with Lindy Hop. Very quickly falling under the spell of the WCS, he began his training in 2007 alongside the greatest in California and quickly asserted himself in the category of Champions. Since then, he has travelled the four corners of the globe to share his knowledge and passion for this dance. He was awarded the Best International Dancer Award at the Westie Awards Nominations ceremony in 2011.He is one of the organizers of the WOTP. An exceptional dancer, one of the most endearing and appreciated of his generation.
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Aymeline really loves dancing. She discovered West Coast Swing in 2008 when she heard the song "Pump It" by Jordan & Tatiana – it was a big game-changer for her! She took a break from dancing for about 8 years to study osteopathy and physiotherapy. In 2016, she got back into dancing and attended events where she met dancers from different backgrounds. She loved the connection, the feelings, and the creativity that West Coast Swing brought into her life. This inspired her to work hard and improve her dancing skills, so she could connect better with her dance partners. She's also really interested in how the body works and how people move, so she started teaching West Coast Swing to others. She learned from experienced teachers like Maxence to become the best teacher she could be for her students.
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They share their lifes since 7 years now and share both their passion for dance and anatomy & biomecanic.
Chuck and Lauren’s friendship began in Singapore, where Lauren was passionately engaged in social dancing and Chuck was working at a dance event in 2018. Their bond and friendship has only deepened since. It was in June 2022 that they took their friendship to a new level, deciding to form a teaching partnership, marking the start of an adventure filled with inspiration and excitement. Chuck Brown, With more than 25 years dedicated to West Coast Swing, he stands out as a top teacher, chief judge, champion dancer, community leader, and event organizer and director. His event “TAP,” is one of the most memorable and innovative events in WCS. His global recognition comes from teaching in over 30 countries, where he enriches students with a diverse dance repertoire and out-of-the-box teaching techniques, including his renowned “Emotion in Motion” retreats and master classes. Moreover, he has trained hundreds of judges through his comprehensive EyePower Judges Training Master Classes and Intensives, one of the most thorough judging training programs in West Coast Swing. Lauren affectionately characterizes Chuck as a globetrotting soul who is able to ‚come home‘ to every corner of the globe. Incredibly, his passion for West Coast Swing and the love for the people in it are still as strong as the day he started. She attributes Chuck as a paramount influence on her dance journey, admiring his ability to embody a perfect blend of motivation, expertise, and determination. He strives to express his love for the art of dancing and we in turn love him for it. Chuck frequently describes Lauren as „a humble dance phenomenon,“ whose devotion to a dancer’s spirit, the community, and her friendships enriches our lives immeasurably. Her presence and empathy is indeed a blessing to us all.