Portland Lindy Exchange 2025

Staff

Workshop Teachers:

Mikey & Nikki

Mikey Pedroza and Nikki Klaus Pedroza, world-renowned Lindy Hoppers, first crossed paths in 2004 during a Mix & Match dance contest. Paired together for the first time, their undeniable connection on the dance floor led them to win the competition, sparking a lifelong partnership. Over the years, they have trained, performed, competed, and taught on stages around the globe, sharing their passion for dance and inspiring countless students and audiences.

Their artistry is rooted in a deep respect for the history of Lindy Hop, an African American art form, while they continue to innovate and explore creative possibilities. Their "magic" lies in their seamless connection, a shared vision that brings out the essence of dance as both an art and a celebration of human connection.

Photo by Daniel Sliwa

Workshop Teachers:

Matt & Kelly

Matt Richey has been dancing Lindy Hop since the tender age of 11. His dance career started with a performance team, including dancing on cruise ships and at Disneyland. In 2004 Matt attended Camp Hollywood for the first time (he hasn’t missed a year since) and he quickly fell in love with what swing dancing can offer; not just Lindy Hop but all swing.

Over the years, Matt has won hundreds of titles in multiple styles of swing, including West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Balboa. He is becoming the most recognized crossover dancer in the circuit as well as being a familiar face on the social dance floor everywhere! In 2018 Matt was inducted to the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. As much as Matt loves swing dancing, he loves teaching and sharing his love for dancing and music just as much! He currently teaches adults and kids in several local schools and studios in Orange County.

He is known for fun loving energy, musicality, showmanship and performance.

Kelly Young has been lindy hopping since 2012. She fell in love with social dancing and was often seen out 4-5 nights a week at venues throughout LA and Orange County. She was able to progress and develop quickly thanks to many hours spent on the social dance floor and in practice rooms with her partner Andrew Jose. While she truly enjoys competing and performing, Kelly believes that the most important component remains social dancing. Kelly believes in fostering great body awareness and solid basics as the foundation of great technique. She believes that great technique creates good communication with your partner.

Swingout Series Teachers:

Austin & Darcie

Austin started his dance journey in Iowa in 2007, and from 2009-2015 he helped to expand the Eastern Iowa swing scene as President of his local swing club, Slick Shoes. He moved to Portland, Oregon in the fall of 2015, and transitioned into the role of Artistic Director for the Portland Rhythm Shakers. Austin became the Event Director for the Portland Lindy Exchange in 2022, and in 2023 began to leverage his project management skillsets for the dance community as the CEO for the Portland Lindy Society.

Austin ultimately wears many hats within the dance community: event director, community organizer, international competitor, dance instructor, dance troupe director, DJ, and performing artist. He 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. Find more info about Austin here.

Darcie has been involved in the swing dance scene in Portland since 2016. She serves on the board of Portland Lindy Society and teaches at The Viscount Dance Studio in Portland. As both a teacher and a social dancer she embraces delectable basic skills over fancy moves and is known for her love of improvisation, individuality, and musicality.

EMCEE: Pace Rubadeau

Having called Portland home for nearly six years, Pace now resides in Bellingham, Washington. He is a trumpet player, producer, community advocate, and co-founder of Lindy at the Leo, a swing dance hosted by B'ham Hop every Tuesday at the historic 1929 Hotel Leo ballroom in downtown Bellingham.

Veterans of the PDX scene may remember Pace as former frontman for early jazz outfit Inspirational Beets, well as curator for a number of prohibition-era events in support of uniting the people.

To include but not limited to: Stumptown Speakeasy at the Crystal Ballroom featuring The Two Man Gentlemen Band and local heavyweights; vintage excursions aboard the Portland Spirit with Tamar Korn; speakeasy field-trips on booze buses to secret ballrooms, and arranging a grand soiree for the Oregon debut of New Orleans' own Tuba Skinny.

This will mark Pace's ninth time as our emcee.

DJs

Nick Davis

Photo: Braden Nesin

Nick Davis (aka DJ Nick at Night) began dancing in 1998 and discovered Lindy Hop in 2002. Since founding Eugene, Oregon’s Track Town Swing in 2012, Nick has traveled around the globe to hone his dancing skills. He was the 2014 Frankie Manning Foundation Ambassador to Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden.

Nick can be found teaching in his home scene or DJing at events like Camp Jitterbug, Lindy Bout, Midwest Lindy Fest, Lindy Focus, or Herrang Dance Camp. He enjoys the work and believes that bringing people together through the joy of swing dancing and jazz music is his true life calling.

Meet the Team