Meet the PLS Board

Chair of the Board

Austin Neverman has pursued his passion for dance since 2007, and wears many hats within the dance community: event director, international competitor, dance instructor, dance troupe director, DJ, and performing artist. He is based in Portland, Oregon, but has roots in Iowa, where he helped expand the Eastern Iowa swing scene. Austin specializes in Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing, competing in both dance roles (lead & follow). With a professional repertoire that also includes ballroom dancing, Argentine Tango, Line Dancing, and West Coast Swing (to name a few), his dancing incorporates many influences. On any given week, you can find Austin spreading his love for dance by playing DJ, teaching group and private lessons, or planning for dance events.

President

Darcie has been dancing in Portland since 2016. She first learned to swing out in Phoenix in 2006 and has been inexorably drawn to the music, the dance, and the community ever since. She is passionate about individual expression and musicality and tries hard to advocate for these qualities in every dance lesson. She dances lindy hop, balboa, and solo jazz with great joy and is cautiously optimistic about shag (in small doses). You can find her at all kinds of dances in Portland as well as teaching at The Viscount Dance Studio.

Treasurer

Katy Spray started swing dancing in 1998 in California. She has always been passionate about developing new dancers and introducing people to the joy of swing dance. Her dance focus is on all vintage swing dances, particularly Balboa and Lindy Hop. In addition to swing, she also has experience in west coast swing, tap, ballet, modern, hip hop, irish, ballroom and belly dance. She has two children and is an accountant in her alternate life.

Secretary

Meet Alberto, an avid Lindy Hop dancer from Vancouver, Washington, who began serving as the role of secretary for the Portland Lindy Society in 2023. Since 2016, he has been fully immersed in the delightful world of Lindy Hop, complementing his experience in ballroom dancing. But Alberto's passion for Lindy Hop extends beyond the dance floor, as he cherishes the growth of a vibrant and connected dance community. With his welcoming demeanor, contagious enthusiasm, and commitment to spreading joy through dance, Alberto is set to make a lasting impact on Portland's thriving Lindy Hop scene.

Member At Large

Mitchell Daniels first began dancing in Corvallis around 2014 through intro classes at OSU. After moving to Los Angeles in 2016, he immersed himself in a variety of vintage swing dances-the technique of movement and connection therein-before returning to his native Portland in 2021. He is passionate about the history of both swing music and dance, as well as how it develops in the future. Lindy Hop is his first and favorite, but he also dances Collegiate Shag, Solo Jazz, and a little Balboa.

Member At Large

Shelly first fell in love with Lindy Hop in 1994 at a middle school summer program in Portland. Being a 7th generation Portlander, she delights in getting to dance, not only to the same music, but in the same places as her grandparents, who happened to meet during a dance at Norse Hall in the 1940s.
In addition to swing, she dances most ballroom dances and is excited to be learning Slow Balboa. The thing Shelly loves most about Lindy Hop is the moment of silliness on the dance floor that can make two strangers instant friends and turn a bad day into a good one. Shelly loves to follow but she also welcomes opportunities to be pushed out of her comfort zone to lead as well - so ask her to dance!