Heidi Salerno

Heidi began swing dancing in 1999 with decades of dance training since her youth and immediately fell in love with the dance and music. She began competing and teaching, and quickly became a National Jitterbug Champion known as a follow with her own style, flair, footwork, love of musicality, and strong belief in follows shining brightly. For many years, she held weekly classes, a weekly dance venue, performed with her performance troupe, and travelled the US and globe teaching Balboa, BalSwing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, aerials and more. Teaching Balboa at West Coast Swing events opened up another world of partner swing dancing, which she loves dancing. She continues to teach workshops and private lessons. She believes it is equally important to bring joy, laughter, and learning to swing dancing as well as the understanding of the rich history of swing, which has its roots in the African-American community. She considers herself very fortunate to have danced, studied, and even taught with some of the great originators of the various forms of swing. Heidi together with her partner Steve Garrett of many years created and innovated, and are National Jitterbug, Pro Balboa Division Champions, International Bal-Swing Champions, and Cal Bal Champions. While teaching at a swing camp in Australia, they broke the Guinness World Record for the most number of spins in partner dancing in a minute: 116 spins! Heidi won and placed in many other swing competitions throughout the years with a variety of partners. She can be seen doing aerials in the opening segment of Dancing with the Stars, 2009.