Deanna came to swing dancing through a love of jazz music and some experience tap dancing. She stumbled across social swing dancing through some friends around 2012 and has not looked back since. Learning mostly on the social floor and in friends' living rooms, she started with Lindy Hop, East Coast, and a smidgen of Charleston, and she was eventually introduced to Balboa, it having since become her favorite.  She loves how it emphasizes the intricacies of micro-movements and communication between partners, how it makes fast jazz music accessible for the dance floor, and the sweetness of slow balboa.  Since, she has enjoyed more formal lessons, travelling around to regional events, and meeting the larger swing dance community in the US and Canada.

In addition to self-expression, Deanna appreciates how the traditional swing dances are deeply rooted in the history of both music and culture and enjoys learning about the barrier-breaking steps taken by the bands, musicians, and the dancers on the floor. Knowing the individual musicians and dancers is something she is constantly working on and is enthusiastic to share. She also loves how it provides a way to connect with her husband's great-aunts and uncles who are mean lindy-hoppers in their own right. As a mother, and with the knowledge that her own mind and body needs the outlet for movement and relaxation that dance provides, she is also passionate about encouraging the dance scene to be available and supportive for people to pursue dance and other endeavors that bring them joy, especially when they are being pulled in several other directions.

When she isn't dancing, Deanna can be found tending her garden, reading cozy fiction, planning travel adventures abroad, or imitating various animal sounds with her littles at the zoo. She loves being outdoors but also curling up on a rainy day with a hot beverage. She cannot wait to meet you and get to know you further in Balboa classes!