Conversations in Closed

Down Hold Entertainment
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Visual Arts

Join Jose, Denise, and Jennifer as they interview friends in the Balboa community, and learn more about their stories, ideas, and the experiences that have shaped them. Hosts: Jose Tello, Denise Lwin, Jennifer Wang

  1. 014 - Yoko Kunimasa

    3h ago

    014 - Yoko Kunimasa

    Jose travels to Niigata, Japan to interview one of the hardest working community organizers in the Swing scene: Yoko Kunimasa! Listen to Yoko talk about her experience as an event/community organizer, teaching young people how to dance, and starting a dance scene from scratch.

    45 min
  2. 013 - Albert Ferran

    Jun 8

    013 - Albert Ferran

    Jose and Estela (guest interviewer) chat with Albert Ferran about how he first found Balboa, his thoughts on a healthy partnership, and his love for philosophy. Albert has been Swing dancing since 2001 and has taught Balboa in Barcelona, Spain since 2005. In 2011, he began teaching internationally. Despite achieving numerous competition wins and top placements in Balboa contests and championships, he continues to believe that social dancing is at the heart of it all; that “nothing makes sense unless you feel passion for what you do.” Passing on his knowledge in the classroom and dancing on the social floor are what bring him joy.

    58 min
  3. 012 - Gio "Balboa"

    May 18

    012 - Gio "Balboa"

    Jennifer and Denise sit down with Gio! Listen to them chat about musicality, humor in dance, pets and plants, and Gio's experience as a queer man in the Balboa scene. Gio started dancing at the age of 10, and he never stopped. He traveled from the very beginning for Boogie Woogie competitoins. Later on he discovered Balboa, which is now his great passion. He is currently based in Stockholm, Sweden where he teaches regular classes. He enjoys experimenting with new moves and stretching the borders of the dance; both in his leading and following. Gio is an avid competitor and a few of his notable placements include titles at All Balboa Weekend, Balboa on the Promenade, and The Snowball. In the classroom he is precise and pedagogical. He is more of a coach than a teacher. Ask him for some feedback!

    1h 19m
  4. Pulse: Vintage Fashion (with Chloe Hong)

    May 11

    Pulse: Vintage Fashion (with Chloe Hong)

    Let's talk vintage fashion. Denise & Jose visit Chloe Hong in Seoul, Korea to talk about vintage attire, how she her partner Rico Lim started their business, and the challenges of producing attire for dancers.

    31 min
  5. 011 - Theresa Manney

    Apr 28

    011 - Theresa Manney

    Listen to Grace Babbes interview Theresa Manney about her journey as a triple threat dancer! Theresa Manney has been passionate about dance for as long as she can remember — but nothing captures her heart quite like jazz music and swing dancing. With an early background in ballet, she developed a strong appreciation for training, musicality, and thoughtful movement — foundations that have supported her competitive journey, including finalist and top placements at California Balboa Classic, Camp Hollywood, Hot Rhythm Holiday, and The Snowball. While she enjoys the challenge of competition, what matters most to Theresa is social dancing and sharing the joy of jazz-style dances with others. She’s passionate about helping people build confidence, find their own voice in the music, and fall in love with the dance for themselves.

    1h 20m
  6. 010 - Olga Marina

    Mar 25

    010 - Olga Marina

    Denise and Jose hang with Olga Marina. Hear Olga talk about her experience learning Balboa, starting out as a teacher, and her life outside of dancing. Olga was born into a family of teachers, and has been an energetic live wire since childhood, diving into martial arts, gymnastics, and athletics. She found her passion for dance in 2007 through Lindy hop, and soon after began traveling the globe to dance, learn, compete, and eventually teach. Today she is an international Balboa instructor sharing her love for both solo and partnered Balboa worldwide. In her classes, Olga keeps students engaged with fun challenging tasks, that sharpen technique and musicality while deepening their love of dance. She is also the owner and creator of isolobalboa, and continues to encourage her students to tap into their creative spark.

    1h 16m
  7. Pulse: Scott Angelius & RP Scoring

    Mar 16

    Pulse: Scott Angelius & RP Scoring

    Welcome to our first video episode! Jose speaks with Scott Angelius, creator of the widely-used application RP Scoring. Listen to Scott as he talks about competition judging and how to read scoresheets!

    1h 1m
  8. 009 - Fancy Dougherty

    Mar 4

    009 - Fancy Dougherty

    Join Jose & our guest interviewer, Jennifer, as they talk to Fancy Dougherty! Hear Fancy talk to us about her experience dancing in SoCal, what she looks for in a dance partner, and her thoughts on pedagogy. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Fancy fell in love Lindy and shag in 2008, with Balboa trailing not far behind. She’s been hooked ever since, constantly endeavoring to improve her technique on a never-ending quest for connection, improvisational freedom in social dancing, and the true jitterbug spirit.  She has performed, competed in, and taught Lindy, Balboa, and shag all over the world, and is a five time winner of the national jitterbug championships in the shag division. She loves to dance with new people and beginners, so be sure to ask her to dance!

    1 hr
See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Join Jose, Denise, and Jennifer as they interview friends in the Balboa community, and learn more about their stories, ideas, and the experiences that have shaped them. Hosts: Jose Tello, Denise Lwin, Jennifer Wang

Information

  • Creator
    Down Hold Entertainment
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Down Hold Entertainment
  • Show Website
    Conversations in Closed

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