Matt Tough first learned to dance in middle school through his physical education courses. He didn’t dance through high school, but he got involved in swing dancing at Iowa State University (ISU). He became more serious in his dancing as the continued his education at Grandview University. After college, he continued swing dancing with Step into Swing in Des Moines, IA and Rhythm in Swing in Minneapolis, MN. After a few years in these scenes, he moved to Colorado where he further refined his swing dance skills. Moving back to Des Moines, IA in 2019, he re-joined the Step into Swing group. After the Step into Swing closure, he helped create Heartland Swing as a social member and head instructor.

Nicole began her dance journey in fall 2013 at Iowa State University (ISU) with their ballroom dance club, adding swing dance in spring 2014. She quickly progressed to teaching both ballroom and swing classes after her first year at ISU, and later competed and performed with the ballroom club’s adult group. Post-college, she continued teaching ballroom and joined Des Moines Ballroom’s performance team, later contributing to Step Into Swing’s swing dance performances. Following Step Into Swing’s closure in 2022, Nicole co-founded Heartland Swing and now serves as its President and head instructor, dedicated to expanding lessons and establishing a performance group as the organization grows.

Jill DeGarmeaux is from Central Iowa and a long-time fan of swing and rock & roll music which fostered her interest in swing at an early age. She began learning Lindy Hop in 2004 and has been an avid swing dancer ever since! Jill has participated in swing dance competitions in the Midwest, Placing 1st and 2nd in various events throughout the past 20 years. Along with Lindy Hop, Jill particularly enjoys Collegiate Shag, 1920s Charleston, Boogie Woogie, & Aerials and believes musicality & creativity are an essential part of the dance. Jill has been an ambassador of swing by performing and teaching in Des Moines and enjoys working with new dancers to expand the population of jitterbugs in the Midwest!

I’ve been dancing off and on since 2009 when I first attempted a dance at Java Joe’s in Des Moines. I’ve traveled to Omaha, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Iowa City and Wichita to attend dance weekends. I also believe that friends getting together and working on a few moves is the best way to learn. When I’m not danceing, I’m teaching elementary music or spending time with family and friends.

As the daughter of a dance teacher, Marie was literally born into the dance world! She took her first lesson at the age of three and hasn't ever stopped. Her background includes tap, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, circus arts, musical theater, hiphop, hula, salsa, & swing. In college, Marie was member of Grand View University's scholarship-based dance team. She continued her passion for dance into adulthood via teaching and as a professional performer. In 2019 she turned to swing dancing regularly because she enjoys the social inclusive aspect, along with oldies music genres of 1950's rockabilly, blues, and soul. Swing also reminds Marie of her favorite childhood dance style: tap dancing! She is excited to continue expanding her knowledge with the Heartland Swing community.

Cara Held began swing dancing in Des Moines. She continued to learn and grow as a dancer in Iowa City, IA with the University of Iowa swing dance club, and eventually began teaching lessons in lindy hop. Cara self-identifies as a lindy hopper, although she has experience with other dances under the swing umbrella and has also explored other social dance styles over the years. In 2014, Cara moved to Denver, CO where she continued to social dance and joined the performance team with Swingin' Denver, allowing her to further develop her dance technique, pedagogy, and knowledge around vernacular jazz dancing, music, and history. Social dancing has always presented an open door into new communities throughout her travels and she has had the privilege of connecting with people on the dance floor.

Renee Brechtel first took swing dancing lessons in 2010 when she fell in love with dance and style after watching a Step Into Swing performance at the Iowa State Fair. She enjoyed dancing throughout college, but started her Lindy Hop journey in earnest in 2022 when she joined the Step Into Swing Performance Troupe. Since then, Renee has taken classes and danced in Des Moines, Omaha, and Minneapolis, and greatly enjoys attending festivals whenever she can. Renee is a co-founder of Heartland Swing and serves on the board of directors as well as teaching beginner lessons. She enjoys the artistry and social connection that swing dancing promotes and is dedicated to growing lesson offerings, performance opportunities, and connecting with the community through her love of swing dancing.