Larisa & Za
Larisa Tingle competes in the top division in the World of West Coast Swing in both the improv and routine divisions! She’s known to always radiate her classy yet sassy style, with a technical approach to evolve the artistry she brings to dance. The arts have always been home to Larisa, she started with over two decades as a classical violinist, 10 years as a vocal performer and now has over 20 years in dance! Her West Coast Swing journey started over 15 years ago and she quickly moved up the ranks in California. She’s now traveling all over the world as a professional West Coast Swing Pro and is a sought after coach, teacher, judge and performer! When she’s not traveling, Larisa can be found in San Diego, CA where she owns and operates the legendary Starlight Dance Studio. At Starlight she cultivates community by providing a space for San Diego’s incredible instructors and a home for local dancers to push the West Coast Swing art form!
Za Thomaier comes from a family of dancers but initially resisted the call, choosing to focus on martial arts and psychology until he agreed to take one dance class at his grandmothers request. After that class he never looked back. Trained for years in ballroom across more than 24 partner dance styles, Za has been teaching and competing for over a decade and found his true passion in West Coast Swing, where social dancing and high-level competition coexist. He currently competes in the Champion division and travels to teach, perform, DJ, and build community. Za believes partner dancing is the expression of self shared with another person, and while technique refines that expression, the heart of the dance already lives within us—we simply have to learn how to open it.