Blues Instructor Bio
It was 2003 when Rachel got her first taste of blues dancing, shortly after getting hooked on lindy hop. She fell in love with the intimate connection between your partner and the music and all that hip movement. As her blues dancing has grown, she continues to marvel at the unlimited possibilities of self-expression and movement. She enjoys sharing that joy through teaching, djing, performing, and kicking so much ass in competitions.
When teaching dance, Rachel loves putting her degree in education to good use. Known for her incredible patience and ability to explain and demonstrate concepts in a variety of ways, she strives to get those "Aha!" moments. Rooted in strong fundamentals and clean technique, her lessons enjoy finding fun ways to sneak that focus into peoples' dancing. As a regional and (inter)national instructor, dj, and scene organizer, Rachel is spreading her love of Blues from coast to coast. For dance videos, pictures, and more info, check out http://www.redstirling.com.
When teaching dance, Rachel loves putting her degree in education to good use. Known for her incredible patience and ability to explain and demonstrate concepts in a variety of ways, she strives to get those "Aha!" moments. Rooted in strong fundamentals and clean technique, her lessons enjoy finding fun ways to sneak that focus into peoples' dancing. As a regional and (inter)national instructor, dj, and scene organizer, Rachel is spreading her love of Blues from coast to coast. For dance videos, pictures, and more info, check out http://www.redstirling.com.
Blues DJ Bio
Rachel fell in love with blues music upon finding the dance over ten years ago. She's got a passion for the wide variety of blues music from Piedmont finger-pickin', gritty swamp, funky boogaloo, to entrancing hill country. Above all though, it's gotta be real and have soul. She finds inspiration from the incredible live music she has access to in Portland and across the US. Just know, you're guaranteed to hear tunes that have some ass and make you want to shake it. For more info check out http://www.redstirling.com.
Alt/Fusion DJ Bio
Rachel Stirling has danced and DJ'ed her way across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Having danced since she was six, she primarily teaches blues and is proficient in lindy hop, balboa, salsa, waltz, tango, and polka. You should ask her to hustle! Having enjoyed many dances and styles of music, she brings an eclectic mix of sounds and genres when she DJs, with a soft spot for a good horn section, interesting rhythms, solid grooves, and sweet harmonies. From old school jams to brand new beats, Rachel keeps it bumping in the clubs and on the streets. For more info check out http://www.redstirling.com.
Organizer Bio
I got my start organizing dance events when MezzJelly (a group of Pittsburgh blues dancers) decided to join forces with some DC blues dancers to put on our very first DC blues event, Capital Blues, in 2005. We had a great turn out and decided to use the name for the DC organizing group for future events. In 2006, we put on Cabin Fever, a blues event with workshops also featuring Barbara Morrison, and then collaborated with DC's Jam Cellar to put on Jammin' the Blues, a swing and blues event. We took a breather and came back with a vengeance in 2009. We started a weekly Thursday blues dance in the DC area which has grown to an average of 100+ dancers every week. We also started two annual blues events, Red Hot Blues 'n BBQ and bamBLOOZled. In addition, we also organize workshop opportunities for our local and regional dancers.
Capital Blues has earned a reputation for delivering awe-inspiring live music, solid djs, quality instruction, and fresh ideas. We've pushed to expose our dancers (and the blues scene as a whole) to a variety of some of the best stuff around. With bands from big names Barbara Morrison, Kim Massie, Gordon Webster, Seth Walker, Solomon Douglas, Meschiya Lake, Shemekia Copeland, and Bob Margolin, to local favorites Clarence Turner, Stacy Brooks, and Eli Cook. I'm proud to have been a part of Capital Blues since the beginning and to have had such an instrumental role in what the DC blues scene is today.
Capital Blues has earned a reputation for delivering awe-inspiring live music, solid djs, quality instruction, and fresh ideas. We've pushed to expose our dancers (and the blues scene as a whole) to a variety of some of the best stuff around. With bands from big names Barbara Morrison, Kim Massie, Gordon Webster, Seth Walker, Solomon Douglas, Meschiya Lake, Shemekia Copeland, and Bob Margolin, to local favorites Clarence Turner, Stacy Brooks, and Eli Cook. I'm proud to have been a part of Capital Blues since the beginning and to have had such an instrumental role in what the DC blues scene is today.
Check out information on the DC blues scene here: http://capitalblues.org
In 2011 I also started helping run Portland Blues Experience which coincides and works with the Waterfront Blues Festival, the second largest blues festival in the nation. It's an honor to work with fellow dancer Brenda Russell to bring blues dancing to the general public at the Festival and incredible live music to our dance community. And by working with the Waterfront Blues Festival, we are able to help donate money to the Oregon Food Bank and raise community awareness of blues dancing at the same time. Check out more information on PBEx here: http://www.portlandbluesexperience.com
In June 2018, I took over as the President of the Portland Blues & Jazz Dance Society (PB&J) and it has been incredibly rewarding to help shape and direct this team and our local dance scene to align with our community's growing and changing values. Check out more about our weekly Tuesday Blues dance and Friday Barefoot fusion dance, as well as other special events at pdxblues.com
I have also organized and worked on countless big weekend events. In addition to Red Hot Blues 'n BBQ, bamBLOOZled, and PBEx, I have been a lead organizer on Champagne & Roses and & All That Jazz.
Competitions
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1st place ~
Emerald City Blues Festival 2019 Portland Blues Experience 2019 Signifyin' Blues 2018 Portland Blues Experience 2016 bluesSHOUT! 2016 Rose City Blues 2015 Portland Blues Experience 2015 bluesSHOUT! 2015 Austin Blues Party 2015 Steel City Blues 2014 Rain City Blues 2014 Nocturne Blues 2014 Austin Blues Party 2014 Enter the Blues 2014 Portland Blues Experience 2013 Mile High Blues 2013 Steel City Blues 2012 2nd place ~ Blues Muse 2015 Rain City Blues 2014 bamBLOOZled 2013 Enter the Blues 2012 Blues Blaze 2011 Enter the Blues 2008 3rd place ~ bluesSHOUT! 2016 bluesSHOUT! 2015 Steel City Blues 2014 Nocturne Blues 2014 Rain City Blues 2014 Enter the Blues 2014 Rose City 2013 Blues Muse 2013 bluesSHOUT! 2013 Snowbound 2013 Blues Muse 2012 Blues Muse 2011 Blues Blaze 2011 bluesSHOUT! 2011 Blues Muse 2010 |
Strictly w/ John Vigil Jazz Strictly w/ Dante Zapata Invitational M&M w/ Kenneth Shipp Blues Strictly w/ Andrew Smith Jazz Strictly w/ Andrew Smith Solo Cuttin' Strictly w/ Andrew Smith J&J w/ Paul Mandel Solo Blues Blues Strictly w/ Andrew Smith Jazz Strictly w/ Andrew Smith All-Stars J&J w/ Amos Rose Social J&J w/ multiple partners Solo Riffin' Solo Blues Solo Riffin' Team competition Social J&J w/ multiple partners Solo Blues Blues Strictly w/ Alfredo Melendez Strictly w/ John Joven J&J w/ Stevenson Nwokenkwo J&J w/ Niko Balcom Jill competition J&J w/ Aaron Brown Invitational J&J w/ John Joven J&J w/ Shawn, Dan, John, Chris & topher Solo Team w/ Dan & Laney J&J w/ Randy Pante J&J w/ Alan Chung All-Stars Strictly w/ Joe DeMers J&J w/ Brian Richards Advanced J&J (as a leader) w/ Grace Taylor-Jones J&J steal competition Invitational J&J w/ Shawn Hershey Strictly w/ Paul Mandel Jill competition Champions J&J w/ -topher Howard Invitational Strictly w/ John Joven J&J w/ Mike Grosser J&J w/ Tomasz Przytycki Strictly Blues w/ Niko Balcom Expert J&J w/ Mike Grosser J&J w/ Jenny Sowden |
