Two of Denver's best instructors, Joe and Nelle are known for their performance Swing, Lindy Hop, and Blues. They are continually ranked the best instructors at workshop and competition weekends in which they teach. They are the owners of Overstreet Dance Gallery in Littleton, CO; a ballroom venue for music, dance, and art.
Joe and Nelle are part organizers of and teachers at Mile High Blues and have toured the world teaching and performing Blues and Lindy Hop in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Canada, France, Hungary, England, and all over the United States. They are proponent of Frame Matching and the creators of ∆PTED, a codified theory of connection in which the follows match the changes in posture, tone, and tension established by the leader, in order to follow energy and direction. Their level of instruction is exceptional, and they always innovate creative moves and movements while adhering to the aesthetics of the dances they teach.
They have been competing since 2003, and have taken home several National Championship titles at events such as Blues Shout, International Lindy Hop Championships, Swingtime on the Rockies, Camp Hollywood, and Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. Their performance troupe, the Woodside Jumpers, have placed at events such as International Lindy Hop Championships and Camp Hollywood. In 2008, they were awarded the Spirit of Lindy Hop award at Camp Jitterbug.
Dancing, especially swing and blues, has an amazing unharnessed energy. From its conception as a street dance with African roots, occurring during the rebellious vibe of jazz and the swing era, to its creating an uproar and enthusiasm that sparked life and encouraged social changes, to the new life and look that thrives today, swing has an inherent vibe and energy unlike any other dance. Because of the nature of this dance, it must be felt and not thought, a flow in movement rather than an order of moves, a whole-body expression of its essential energy and life…or you won’t be doing it justice.
We should understand and appreciate the originality and creativity of this dance, and how it fosters these characteristics in us. We believe that an important aspect to focus on in order to become an all-around better dancer is whole-body movement; creating an energy, feeling, and look that utilizes your entire body. We strive to find the methods and style of movement that gives dancing an organic look and feel that is natural and comfortable, and thus opens up the possibilities for creativity and self expression.
We encourage all dancers to push themselves and find new ranges in body movement, musicality, creativity, connection, technique, and thoughts of what dancing really is.
Relative to Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and the Ballroom Dances, Blues is a very eclectic term and dance. There is a wide range of music from Eric Clapton to BB King to Norah Jones. Within each genre and style of music there are rhythms and moods that change the blues aesthetic and connection. One song will make you stand straight up and waltz around the room while another will ask you to grind really low with our partners. The constant change and freedom within the music really attracts us to this style of dance. Blues is a feeling that comes from within. It’s an expression and release of emotions and personality. When you dance with a partner that can match you, you'll feel like the only dancer in the room… just you, your partner, the music, and the floor.
Aug 19-21, 2011 Blues Shout, Boston, MA - Teaching with Mike Legette, Judging
Aug 5-7, 2011 Lindy on the Rocks, Denver, CO - teaching & judging
July 2, 2011 Don't Stop Workshop, Denver, CO - teaching, judging & hosting at Overstreet Dance
Mar 25-27, 2011 Mile High Blues, Denver, CO - Teaching, Judging
Mar 11-13, 2011 Pirate Swing, Ann Arbor, MI - Teaching
Jan 7-9, 2011 Phillie LABlove, Philadelphia, PA - Teaching
Oct 23-24, 2010 Whistle Stop, West Lafayette, IN - Teaching
Oct 15-17, 2010 Lindy Diversion; Denver - Teaching & Judging
Oct 2-3, 2010 NYC Blues Blaze; NYC - Teaching & Judging
Sept 11-12, 2010 Lindy and Party Dance Weekend; Phoenix, AZ- Teaching, Judging, Competing
Aug 19-22, 2010 ILHC, Washington, D.C. - attending and competing
Aug 13-15, 2010 Blues Masters, South Korea - teaching and performing
Aug 6-8, 2010 Lindy on the Rocks; Denver - Teaching & Judging
June 26, 2010 Blues workshop & dance; Denver - Teaching
June 19-20, 2010 Hot Blues; Toulouse, France - Teaching
April 24-25, 2010 Ottawa Blues Blast; Ottawa, Canada - Teaching
April 17-18, 2010 BluesShout; Austin, TX - Teaching & Performing
April 10-11, 2010 Hawkeye Swing Festival; Iowa City, IA- Teaching & Performing
Spring 2010 Choreographed Middle School Musical at Hamilton Middle School
March 27-28, 2010 Mile High Blues Fest; Denver, CO - Teaching & Performing
March 12-14, 2010 Pirate Swing (Lindy and Blues); Ann Arbor, MI - Teaching
February 6-7, 2010 Blues Workshop Weekend; Chicago, IL - Teaching
January 30-31, 2010 LABLove; Philadelphia; Philadelphia, PA - Teaching & Performing
January 16-17, 2010 Purdue Workshop; West Lafayette, IN - Teaching
December 11-12, 2009 Colorado Thespian Convention; Denver - Teaching
November 8, 2009 Denver Dance Sampler - Teaching
October 2009 LA Blues Workshop Weekend - Teaching & Performing
October 2009 Lindy Diversion; Denver, CO
August 2009 Lindy on the Rocks; Denver, CO
July 2009 Swingtime in the Rockies; Denver, CO
July 2009 Fort Collins Blues Workshop; Fort Collins, CO
May 2009 Blues Shout; Chicago, IL
April 2009 Mile High Blues; Denver, CO
April 2009 Sparx; Cleveland, OH
March 2009 Swing for the Cause; Denver, CO
March 2009 Air Force Academy Workshop; Colorado Springs, CO
December 2008 Blues Fever Workshop; Fort Collins, CO
August 2008 Lindy on the Rocks; Denver, CO
September 2008 Solo Charleston Workshop; Denver, CO
July 2008 Joe & Nelle workshops & dj; Osaka, Japan
July 2008 Spirit of Lindy Hop Workshops & dj; Tokyo, Japan
July 2008 Joe & Nelle workshops, dj & performance; Seoul, South Korea
May 2008 Joe & Nelle workshops, dj & performance; Lawrence University Appleton, WI
April 2008 Denver Blues Summit; Denver, CO
April 2008 Hawkeye Swing Festival workshops, dj & performance; Iowa City, Iowa
August 2007 Lindy on the Rocks; Denver, CO
June 2007 Frankie Manning & A Tribute to the Savoy workshops & performances; Denver, CO
June 2007 54 Weeks Workshops; Las Vegas, NV
March 2007 Guys & Dolls Workshops & Performances; Denver, CO
April 2007 Denver Blues Summit; Denver, CO
June 2010 Blues Performance in Toulouse, FR
October 2009 Blues Performance at LA Blues
July 2009 Blues Performance at Swingtime in the Rockies; Denver, CO
July 2009 Colorado and Company (Channel 9); Denver, CO
June 2008 Blues Performance at Blues Shout; San Francisco, CA
May 2008 Jump Session Show at Camp Jitterbug; Seattle, WA
April 2008 Blues Performance at Denver Blues Summit; Denver, CO
March 2008 23 Skidoo Performances at Southwest Lindyfest; Houston, TX
May 2007 Jump Session Show at Camp Jitterbug; Seattle, WA
July 2006 Dance Talent Show at Herrang Dance Camp; Herrang, Sweden
Feb 2006 Starlight Ball; Denver, CO
2010
3rd Place Invitationa J&J (Lindy and Party)- Joe
3rd Place Team Division (International Lind Hop Championships)- Woodside Jumpers
2009
1st Place Instructor Solo Cuttin' Contest (Blues Shout)- Nelle
1st Place Pro/Am (International Lindy Hop Championships)- Joe
1st Place Balboa J&J (Swingtime in the Rockies) - Joe
1st Place Open Strictly Lindy (Lindy on the Rocks) - Joe (follower)
2nd Place Solo Charleston (Lindy on the Rocks) - Joe
3rd place Champions Invitational J&J (Lindy & Party Dance Weekend) - Nelle
4th Place Pro Balboa J&J (Swingtime in the Rockies) - Nelle
5th Place Pro Balboa Strictly (Swingtime in the Rockies) - Nelle
5th Place Pro Lindy J&J (Swingtime in the Rockies) - Nelle
The Spirit of Lindy Hop Award (Camp Jitterbug) - Joe & Nelle
1st place Endurance contest (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown)- Joe
1st place Invitational J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) - Nelle
1st place Mid-tempo Strictly (Lindy on the Rocks) – Nelle
1st place Diversity Dance Competition (Hawkeye Swing Festival) – Joe
1st place J & J (Rhythmic Arts Festival) - Joe
2nd place Champions J & J (Blues Shout) – Joe
2nd place Solo Blues Cuttin' Contest (Blues Shout) - Joe
2nd place Ballrooming Strictly (Blues Shout) - Joe & Nelle
2nd place Strictly Lindy (Rhythmic Arts Festival) - Joe & Nelle
3rd place Invitational Jack and Jill (Emerald City Blues Festival)- Joe
3rd place Champions J & J (Blues Shout) - Nelle
3rd place Balboa Strictly (Lindy on the Rocks) - Nelle
3rd place Invitational J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) - Joe
3rd place Team Division (Lindy on the Rocks) - The Shhhwiiiiingers
1st place Team, NJC / Camp Hollywood 2007 - 23 Skidoo!
1st place Juke Joint Strictly (Blues Shout) – Joe
1st place Open J & J (Blues Shout) – Joe
1st place Invite J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) - Joe
1st place Solo Battle (Rocky Mtn. Girl Jam) – Joe
1st place Partner Charleston (Rhythmic Arts Festival) – Joe & Nelle
2nd place Strictly Lindy (Camp Jitterbug) - Joe & Nelle
2nd place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam
2nd place Ballrooming Strictly (Blues Shout) – Joe & Nelle
2nd place Solo Charleston (Old West Sausage Fest) - Joe
2nd place Balboa J & J (Boston Tea Party) – Nelle
2nd place Strictly Lindy (Southwest Lindyfest) – Joe & Nelle
3rd place Strictly Lindy (Boston Tea Party) – Joe & Nelle
3rd place Team Division (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – 54 Weeks
3rd place J & J (Rhythmic Arts Festival) – Joe
4th place Juke Joint Strictly (Blues Shout) – Nelle
1st place Team Division (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown) – 23 Skidoo!
1st place Team Division (Camp Hollywood) – 23 Skidoo!
1st place Inner-City Strictly Lindy (Phoenix Lindy Exchange) – Nelle
1st place Solo Charleston (Phoenix Lindy Exchange) - Joe
1st place Fast Feet Contest (Herrang Dance Camp) – Nelle
1st place Back Beat Contest (Herrang Dance Camp) – Nelle
1st place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam
1st place Pro/Am (NJC) – Nelle
1st place Amateur J & J (NJC) – Joe & Nelle
1st place Amateur Lindy (NJC) – Nelle & Joe
1st place Pro/Am (Midwest Lindyfest) – Joe
1st place J & J (Cheap Thrills) – Joe
2nd place Jitterbug Contest (Camp Hollywood) – Nelle & Joe
2nd place Fast Feet Contest (Herrang Dance Camp) – Joe
2nd place Jitterbug Contest (Camp Hollywood) – Nelle & Joe
2nd place Pro/Am (NJC) – Joe
2nd place J & J (Camp Jitterbug) – Nelle
2nd place “No Holds” Strictly Lindy (Midwest Lindyfest) – Nelle & Joe
3rd place J & J (Midwest Lindyfest) – Nelle
3rd place Couples Strictly Juke Joint (Cheap Thrills) – Joe
5th place Amateur Balboa (Camp Hollywood) – Nelle
1st place Strictly Lindy (Lindy on the Rocks) – Nelle
1st place Open J & J Balboa (CMDance) – Nelle
1st place J & J (Barcelona) – Joe
1st place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam
2nd place J & J (Cowtown Jamborama) – Nelle
2nd place Showcase Division (Lindy on the Rocks) - Nelle
2nd place Amateur Couples (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Joe & Nelle
2nd place Charleston Only J & J (Mercury Café) – Joe
2nd place No Holds Strictly Lindy (Midwest Lindyfest) – Joe
2nd place Lindy Hop J & J (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe
2nd place Strictly Lindy (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe
3rd place Team Division (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Atomic Rhythm
3rd place Open J & J (ULHS) – Nelle
3rd place Open J & J (Lindy on the Rocks) – Nelle
3rd place Novice Strictly Swing (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe
3rd place Classic Swing (CO State Swing Championships) – Joe
5th place Amateur J & J (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Joe
1st place Endurance Contest (Mercury Café) – Nelle
2nd place Open J & J (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown) – Nelle
2nd place Team Division (Colorado Intercollegiate Swing Battle) - Blam
2nd place Team Division (Camp Hollywood) – 23 Skidoo!
2nd place Team Division (Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown) – 23 Skidoo!
3rd place Team Division (Nat’l Jitterbug Championships) – Atomic Rhythm
4th place Strictly Lindy (ALHC) – Nelle