Workshop West Coast Swing - Cliff and Birte Pereira

As teachers for the workshop in West Coast Swing, we have Cliff & Birte Pereira!

About the workshop

In the first half we will be going through some basic concepts of West Coast Swing. Learn how to lead with your body and be independent from steps. Once we mastered the basics, we will use this knowledge to explore the world of rides. Combine balance, trust and momentum to create increadible spins.

About the teachers

Birte and Cliff originally come from standard ballroom dancing and competed in the highest tournament classes (A and S class). They have taught a variety of dance styles: Standard and Latin, Discofox, and Salsa. In 2014, out of curiosity, they attended a West Coast Swing workshop with Marc Heldt during a training course, and they were instantly hooked. Since then, they have focused on West Coast Swing and spend many weekends at domestic and international West Coast Swing festivals, continuously improving their skills with international trainers. The two are well-loved across Germany for their humorous and structured teaching style. They also place great importance on giving followers the chance to actively shape the dance. What fascinates them most about West Coast Swing is its variety, modern music, and the freedom and versatility that no other dance offers in such a way. In 2018, Cliff successfully earned the “Intermediate Instructor WCS” certification (Global PDIA by Michael Kiehm/GSDTA by Skippy Blair). He also became the 2018 German Champion in West Coast Swing under the TAF Germany dance association. Birte became the German Vice-Champion in 2019. Both dance in the Advanced tournament class of the World Swing Dance Council and have completed judging training with Chuck Brown.

Birte Pereira

Birte Pereira trained in standard ballroom dance for many years, competed in tournaments (most recently in the A class), and taught extensively. Since 2015, she has focused entirely on West Coast Swing and teaches at workshops and festivals across Germany. What she loves most about West Coast Swing is its variety, modern music, and the freedom and versatility that no other dance offers in such a way. In November 2019, she became the German Vice-Champion in West Coast Swing under TAF Germany. Birte dances in the Advanced class of the World Swing Dance Council and has completed judge training with Chuck Brown.

Cliff Pereira

Cliff Pereira was a competitive dancer in the highest standard ballroom class (S class) for many years. Since 2008, he has been teaching a variety of dance styles, including Standard and Latin, Discofox, and Salsa. In 2014, out of curiosity, he attended a West Coast Swing workshop with Marc Heldt during a training course, and he was instantly hooked. Since then, he has focused on West Coast Swing and spends many weekends at domestic and international West Coast Swing festivals. He regularly trains with international instructors through workshops and private lessons and successfully completed the “Intermediate Instructor WCS” certification in 2018 (Global PDIA by Michael Kiehm/GSDTA by Skippy Blair). He was also crowned the 2018 German Champion in West Coast Swing under the TAF Germany dance association. What fascinates him most about West Coast Swing is the variety, modern music, and the freedom, versatility, and communication between partners that no other dance offers in such a way. Cliff dances in the Advanced tournament class of the World Swing Dance Council and has completed judging training with Chuck Brown.