Ryan Boz and Alexis Garrish are not your ordinary teenagers.
Though they still live the normal life of teens and do the usual stuff the youth of their age do, these two have already started their careers. They are professional dancers and you’ll be surprised by the dance style that they have chosen.
It is none other than swing dance.
But this talented duo is not limited to just dancing to swing music, they can do a lot more. They can also groove to jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and even contemporary dance.
However, if you want to see the full potential of Ryan and Alexis, then you have to see their swing dance routines.
While most dancers of today’s generation would choose the modern styles of dance, these two have chosen something that’s way before their era.
The swing dance was first known back in 1920 and developed through 1940, which was popularly known by many as the “swing era.”
In fact, the term “swing” referred to the style of jazz music and not an actual style of dance, but it inspired the evolution of the dance. “Swing dance” was not commonly used to identify a group of dances until the latter half of the 20th century.
Only a few among the many swing dance styles survived beyond the prime of the “swing era”, to name them, there are Balboa, Charleston, and Lindy Hop.
Ryan and Alexis both decided to keep the fire burning for these dance styles that primed decades ago.
Ryan and Alexis are fearsome swing dance contenders.
In fact, they’ve already graced the dance floor of the US Open Swing Dance Championships as competitors.
As we all know, it’s one of the most prestigious swing dance competitions in the entire world. The US Open Swing Competition is also the oldest swing dance championship in the world.
With an event this popular, you’d already know that this swing dance couple is world-class!
They joined the competition back in 2016 and the result was just as expected from these high-caliber swing dancers.
They brought home the bacon and bagged the first place in the young adult category.
At that moment, Ryan and Alexis already made a statement to the world and showed how exceptionally talented they are on their feet.
Donning complementary shimmering costumes and wearing sparkling smiles, they dazzled the crowd, the judges, and the entire world with their flawless routine.
Their performance was astonishingly entertaining, they’re able to mix it all up, from swing dance to some modern hip-hop-like movements, they prepared an extra-ordinary routine which they were able to pull off with so much ease.
The timing and coordination were on point, from start to finish.
And let us just note that swing dance requires upbeat and lively music- yet Ryan and Alexis were still able to execute each step with so much precision.
They were so light on their feet, they seemed to be just enjoying the moment, and that’s what made them stand out!
But if you think that these young dancers’ journey ended there, you’re terribly mistaken.
The formidable swing dance duo joined the same competition the following year.
Ryan and Alexis were back as partners on the 2017 US Open Swing Dance Championships which took place in Burbank California.
Dressed in some intimidating black & red costumes, they once again amazed everyone watching them. Before they even start busting their improved movements, a recording of their voices came in playing,
“This is a tribute dance to those that came before us. Thank you!”
From “Fever” by Elvis Presley to “Baby Workout” by Jackie Wilson, this powerhouse duo went down and did what they do best.
They definitely brought the “swing era” back!
With their precise but energetic movements, these young dance champions have once again proven that swing dance is still alive and never forgotten. It will never be gone as long as there are people who will continue what started back in 1920.
We hope that the current and the coming generations of young dancers will be inspired by Ryan and Alexis’ passion for swing dance.
Watch the video below to see what made Ryan and Alexis swing dance winners.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
