An Incredible Team!

Essex and Lee are an incredible team! Together, they awakened my passion for swing dancing. The magic combination is Essex's clear & purposeful teaching paired with Lee's energetic and supportive spirit. Together they create a learning atmosphere where you grow, where you feel that you belong and most of all, where you have fun.

Essex and Lee also support the community by teaching and performing at many events, which not only supports local organizations, but also helps to spread interest and excitement for swing dancing.

Essex and Lee are great people, talented dancers and fantastic teachers!

~ Lupine R.

We Can Dance!

My husband and I have been married for 29 years and always wanted to dance swing like my parents. With the help of Essex and Lee, WE CAN DANCE. The greatest compliment we have received was at a wedding when an older lady came up to us to compliment how smooth and controlled we danced. We just smiled knowing that we are still taking lessons. Essex and Lee continue to encourage us along the way and they make dancing fun. Miracles do come true, they can happen to you.

Thank you Essex and Lee for helping to fulfill our bucket list.

Love,
Mario and Carla

Inspired

Lee, you have been a big influence in my swing dancing life because you have inspired me to ask any man to dance with me. You and Essex are excellent instructors with an enormous amount of patience. You are always cool, calm and collected when dealing with varying degrees of your student's dancing experience.

You make learning swing dancing enjoyable. I look forward to the next class in anticipation of perfecting my skills.

Thank you for being great instructors.

~ Lorraine M.

Our Wedding Dance

8 yrs ago, I got married and you two were so cool to teach my wife and I a few swing lessons, and even came to our wedding and taught a group swing lesson to all our friends. To this day, all my friends state that our wedding was one of the best they ever went to, thanks to you guys.

Some of my friends and my wife's friends even got married through our wedding!

~ Chuck Y.

A Big Hit

Your group was a HIT!!! You were energetic, genuine, professional, and lots of fun to watch! Please let everyone know how much they are appreciated, and that we are still hearing positive comments today. Your smiles were fabulous!

Thanks again!

~ Mia B.

Will ya still need me?
Will ya still feed me?

Hi Guys!

I just wanted to say thank you again for helping us out with the Senior Ballroom Dance Contest. We always love having you involved with the judging, MCing and organizing! Thank you also for jumping in at the last minute to help us out with the music ... you truly saved our contest!

~ Kimberlee P.

Swingin' the Night Away

Thank you again for your time and talents at the Valley Christian "Swingin' the Night Away" program last night. You both have such a wonderful gift for getting people up and dancing. It's hard to get teenagers to do anything, much less get up in front of all their friends and dance. Yet, a large group of the people participating in the dance lessons last night were the teenagers. I hope that you will put us on your schedule for next year.

~ Suzanne S.

Grateful for the Opportunity

I wanted to let you two know that I am so grateful for the opporlunity to be part of the Memories Swing Team. It has been such a blessing to me and I have learned so much from the team. You and Essex have been a very instrumental part in my love for dancing. You guys made learning very fun. Keep spreading that joy of dancing that
you have shared with me.

~ Charlie M.

Veterans Day Celebration

Thank you for performing at our Veterans Day Celebration '05! The audience, by their spontaneous outburst, demonstrated how much they loved your exciting dance routines. On behalf of the American Legion Post 227, we loved you too. Keep up the good work and have fun.

~ Walter S.

Keep on Dancin'

Without Essex and Lee encouraging me to continue to dance I would have quit after the first class. They introduced me to my wonderful, future wife and helped me to overcome much of my shyness in public. They both changed my life forever and I will be forever grateful, like so many others.

~ Kenny H.

Disneyland Performance

Thank you for a great day at Disneyland. I know how much work it is to coordinate an activity for so many people. We really appreciate it. Your performance was really a hit with everyone!!!

~ Cheri and Peter

Two Left Feet

I didn't know what to expect when I started taking classes with Essex and Lee. I was new to the swing scene, and although I loved the fashion and the music, I had two left feet. Taking their class not only improved my dancing skills incredibly, but it also opened the doors to meeting some of the nicest people, making good friends, and even meeting my fiance. Essex and Lee created an environment where people felt more like good friends enjoying music than strangers just learning to dance.

After some essential tips on following in swing, I've become better at following in other types of music as well, from country two step to salsa. My time in their class was very memorable and I would definitely recommend it to anyone, be it social butterfly or even shy people looking to try something new.

~ Kira B.

Fun Choreography

I just wanted to tell you how much fun it was being a part of the Christmas dance class. The choreography was fun, and the whole performance aspect was an incredible experience.

Thanks again,
Hanna Y.

Take the Time to Teach the Moves

I just want to say thank you for all your time and effort into those lessons. I have taken several lessons around Pasadena and you two are really the best!

You both really take the time to teach the moves and do a great job teaching transitions. Your lessons are informative, fun and comprehensive! You both really care about your students'learning.

I highly recommend both of you to my friends wanting to learn how to swing dance! Thank you again!

~ Inge S.

Incredible Instructors

Thank you.

You and Essex are incredible instructors, and I just love your class.

I love the fact that you care.

Love,
Lois C.

The Best Swing Team Ever

Just wanted to express that this is by far our best MST year EVER!! And it's just the beginning! Never before have we done so much before OC Fair. And like Essex and Lee said, we have never been so prepared for the Fair. Great job newbies and vets! Doing the music video with you was such a thrill! I found the gig announcement, but Lee was so pro-active in pursuing it, we couldn't have done it without her!!

~ Christine S.

Still on a High

Thank you both so much for all you've done to bring Saturday's performance to fruition.

I'm still on a high!! ... and I know I'm not alone :-)

~ Sandy F.

Fabulous 65th Birthday Surprise

It's been so exciting listening to stories and thank-you's from my mom, family and friends for her fabulous surprise 65th birthday party. Thank you for making the dancing special! Your team was fun and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to see you in action.

~ Wendi E.

Thanks for Everything

I just wanted reach out to you and say thank you for everything you have done for me during the last 3 and a half years. The gift of Swing Dancing has brought a great deal of joy to my life and with your guidance and support along the way it has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Not only has it been very fun, but I have met some life-long friends along the way that I would never have had the opportunity to meet.

Additionally the exercise, collaboration with fellow students, and the music have enhanced my life beyond recognition. I can I tell you with 100% certainty that I will continue to swing dance the rest of my years as it always brings a smile to my face every time I hit the dance floor. I honestly don't know what I would do without it now!

Being one of your swing team members for 3 years was unbelievable fun and an unforgettable time that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you so much that and for the excitement you bring to your classes every night! You both are amazing people and the world would be a happier place if we all took lessons from Essex & Lee! You are truly the best.

~ Jeff P.

Great Job!

Thank you so much for sending your team out - they did a great job - everyone enjoyed the routines and it really helped get people into the dancing mood! Please thank the two couples again for me. God bless you!!!

~ Sr. Cecilia

Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!

Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU! What a wonderful event! I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the Cool Yule, how much my friends enjoyed it, and how much I appreciate all you did for me. You are wonderful!

Everyone also liked how Essex brought in the "non·dancers" into the "snowball." It got everyone involved.

Thank you again!

With love,
Jan B.

You Two Rock!

I just wanted to thank you for all the work that you do. After these last 3 sessions I have taken with you, I have felt more confident about my dancing.

Thank You so much for what you have taught not just myself, but everyone who has taken your lessons, You two rock!

With Love and appreciation,
Marlinda S.

Thanks for the Lessons

I just wanted to say hi and to thank you once again for the lessons I took when I lived down there. I now live in Las Vegas and am a parl of a swing team here, but I would not of been able to do it, if it was not for you two getting me into it and teaching me.

Thanks again,
David C.

I can't remember winning a raffle like this!

Thank You! I can't remember ever winning a raffle like this before. It's a terrific gift during this holiday season. It follows several gifts you've already given me - the opporlunity to make so many friends, the fun of learning to dance, and the feeling of being comfortable in my own skin when I'm on the dance floor (I used to cringe at the thought of dancing before I came to Memories). And for those gifts I am very truly thankful. Your lessons have often been the highlights of the week for me throughout this year.

Thanks again,
Frank N.

Closer Together

It has brought us closer together as we've tried learning getting used to each other as dance partners. Essex and Lee are great instructors who have a passion not only for swing dance, but for helping others become the best dancers they can be. They are very energetic and fun, and their class is the happenin' place to be.

~ David and Claudia

I've never stopped!

I started taking dance classes with Essex and Lee in April of 2007 and have never stopped. Essex and Lee are really great instructors; they are both so warm and friendly, their methods for teaching are relaxed and tons of fun. Learning to dance from Essex and Lee has truly changed my life; I actually met my husband in their classes!

~ Stephanie P.

One of the Best Things

We just wanted to say thank you a lot for taking the time and teaching us and everyone else. I have found out that swing is one of the best things that has happened to me, and I want to thank you both for helping me.

You two are the best instructors that I know and make learning fun. Keep doing what it is that you love so much!

~ David & Ricky

Salute to the Military

Thank you for all your efforts and those that helped put the Salute to the Military event together. It was great. We really enjoyed the evening.

- Don and Nancy

Tremendous Praise

You guys are awesome. I know it was a lot of work preparing for this event. But all your efforts really paid off. I have heard nothing but tremendous praise for your performances. You can be very proud. I appreciate everything you do. I may not say it enough, but I do. I am very fortunate to have you.

- John C.

March of Dimes

Thank you all so much for your help last night at the March of Dimes fundraiser! It was a
great success!

~ Christine S.

A Glowing Success

Thanks for all your work making the evening such a glowing success!

~ Jerry H.

Regardless of Background

Essex and Lee make it possible for any individual regardless of their backgrounds to engage and enjoy the art of Swing Dancing!

~ David O.

Sunday Afternoon Dance

I first heard about Essex and Lee from my older cousin (who's also an avid Lindy Hopper) and online and decided to check out Memories Ballroom at one of their Sunday Afternoon Dances (which is $5 for the cover fee). I showed up for the free lesson, saw the Memories Swing Team performance at Brea Mall and the rest, as they say, is history.

I really enjoy the classes because Essex and Lee break down the various steps and moves. They also make the classes fun and less intimidating for beginners as well as good refresher courses for the lindy hopping veterans.

Learning, practicing, and improving on my swing dancing makes me feel more confident to get out on the social dance floor, and l owe all that to these fabulous instructors!

Everyone is super friendly and encouraging. I have a lot of friends, and I have made even more while I am taking these classes.

No matter where I go lindy hopping my "Lindy Hop Home" will always be at Memories.

~ April D.

Not Like Any Other

Essex and Lee have both had a huge influence on how I look at Lindy Hop. Essex and Lee's class is not like any other ballroom style dance lesson. They give you this welcoming feeling, whether you've been dancing for many years or it's your first time ever on a dance floor; you feel like they've known you for the longest time. Essex and Lee's enthusiasm towards lindy hop has inspired me to continue learning and improving. Being parl of the Memories Swing team with Essex and Lee leading, has been very challenging and beneficial for my lindy hop.

Year after year, we have been invited back to perform at major venues like the Orange County Fair, LA County Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, and other venues like antique fairs and car shows. This has enabled me help spread the same enthusiasm that Essex and Lee have towards Lindy Hop to others.

~ Eddie P.

Sunday Afternoon Dance

Essex and Lee have had such a great impact in my dancing life of what we call Swing Dancing or Lindy Hop. They have instilled upon me the continued joy I have in Swing Dancing today that I know will continue on tomorrow.

As the Leaders of the Memories Swing Dance Performing team they have spread the joy of Swing Dancing throughout California in various venues such as LA County Fair, Orange County Fair, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland. As a past member of the Memories Swing Dance Team, their teaching of various Swing Dance styles such as Lindy Hop, Smooth Lindy, Charleston, Shag, Balboa and various routines have made me a better dancer and person to those that are just starling to learn Swing Dancing. I would describe Essex and as committed to the continued growth in the dance community of the Swing Dance Style through the Memories Swing Dance Team and continued teaching of the Swing Dance Style at the Memon'es Dance club in Whittier. I would add that their kindness and caring is instilled upon al/ of their past students myself included. I can find no other Swing Dance couple that has had as much influence in the Swing Dance community as Essex and Lee.

~ Edwin P

Never Knew How to Dance

Never knew how to dance any kind of dance and starled taking lessons with Essex and Lee when I was 56! Oh, and I have THREE left feet! If I can learn, anyone can. Essex and Lee are great and they make learning fun. People who have natural ability get good really fast. For people like me it takes a little longer, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because it's the most enjoyable way I know to get some good exercise to the happiest music ever ... and everyone who Lindy Hops is friendly and encouraging .

~ Judy W.