Born & raised in South Pasadena, CA. Has lived in London, Boston and now resides in Deerfield Beach, California. He is a life long Laker, Dodgers & Rams fan.
Robert Cordoba has been dancing, teaching, performing, choreographing and judging for over forty years. He started competing in International Latin at the age of sixteen when he was a member of two U.S. International Latin American formation teams (placing 5th and then taking the 3rd place bronze medal at the World Ballroom Formation Team Championships). He lived and trained in London for two years and was a top U.S Amateur competitor representing the US at events throughout Europe until he switched to West Coast Swing in 1990. Within two years he won his first U.S. Open Swing Dance Champion title.
For the past thirty years Robert has averaged approximately forty weekends per year traveling around the world to teach West Coast Swing. His impressive list of accomplishments includes: 2 World Championship titles, 7 U.S. Open titles, 4 consecutive USA Grand National titles, 4 consecutive N.A.S.D.E. titles, multiple Champion & Invitational level J&J and Strictly Swing titles, was voted best Classic Swing Dancer by Dance Action magazine, was awarded “U.S. Open Social Dancer”, and he was the first person to win 3 consecutive US Open titles.
Robert is a member of an elite core of less than 10 dancers who have won BOTH the Showcase and the Classic Divisions at the U.S. Open. He is a California Swing Dance Hall of Famer, Dallas D.A.N.C.E. Hall of Famer and a World Swing Dance Hall of Famer.
Robert Cordoba has judged every major event including the USA Grand Nationals and U.S. Open multiple times. He has been the head judge, MC and DJ at events throughout the U.S., Europe, South America and the South Pacific. He is among the first group of professionals to help get West Coast Swing scenes established in New York & East Coast(early 1990’s), Europe (mid 1990’s) and South Pacific (early 2000’s).
Other accomplishments include: He was a Dance Fever Grand Finalist (3rd place overall) and has danced in commercials (Budweiser & Burger King) as well as on TV. He and former partner Deborah Szekely also choreographed the wedding dance for Grammy & Emmy award winner Danny Elfman & Bridget Fonda.
Robert is currently living in Deerfield Beach, Florida, teaching, workshops, intensive, coaching, choreography and teacher training as well as G.P.D.I.A. Teacher Certification.
• Has been teaching WC Swing full time for over 30 years• Travels an average 40 weekends per year teaching• Has over 35 years of multiple dance experience
• 7 U.S. Open Swing Dance titles• U.S. Open – Social Dancer Award winner• 4 consecutive USA Grand National titles• 4 consecutive N.A.S.D.E. titles• First person to win 3 consecutive US Open titles• Member of the “Super 7” the only ones whom have won BOTH the Showcase and the Classic Division at the U.S. Open• California Swing Dance Hall of Fame Inductee• Dallas D.A.N.C.E. Hall of Fame Inductee• World Swing Dance Council Hall of Fame Inductee• Multiple J&J and Strictly Swing titles• Voted best Classic Swing Dancer by Dance Action magazine• Has experience as a Head Judge, Emcee and DJ• Has taught throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Asia, South Pacific and South America• Top 3 ranked U.S. Amateur International Latin Competitor for several years• Member of 5th place and 3rd place Bronze medal winning U.S. International Latin Formation Teams• Member of Sizzlin’ Country & Midnight Cowboys Championship Country Western Teams.
Couples Induction
Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely started dancing together in 1997 and were dance partners for 15 years. Their impact and influence earned them legendary status. In that 15 year span they together accumulated four US Open Titles, two in Showcase and 2 in Sophisticated. They won NASDE 4 years straight from 1997-2000. Other accomplishments include; US Open Swing Dance Championships Showcase Division 2006 3rd PlaceUS Open Swing Dance Championships Showcase Division 2005 4th Place US Open Swing Dance Championships Classic Division 2002 5th Place Grand National DC Showcase Division 2002 First Place Grand National DC Showcase Division First Place 2001 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships Showcase 2000 First Place Capital Swing Showcase Division First Place 2000 Grand National DC Showcase Division First Place 2000 Grand National DC Classic Division First Place 1999. In addition, not only were they competitors, but they were accomplished teachers, individually and together, who traveled and taught workshops at events across the US.