I am pleased to welcome to the 24 hour Cancer Dance-a-thon Jean Ma and Bromley Palomountain. This dynamic duo competes and teaches in the Bay area, having first met at UC Berkeley. Jean had a strong background in dance, while Bromley was a gymnastic competitor. They bonded over their love of swing dancing and have been spreading the gospel of Lindy Hop wherever they go. You can find out more about them on their website.
1. Tell me a little about yourself as a dancer and teacher.
Jean: We have been dancing together for over 5 1/2 years. We met when I was teaching a free lesson at UC Berkeley. At the time, I didn’t really know much about social dancing because all I had done at that point was performance dancing where 
there wasn’t much lead and follow. Basically I would learn my steps, you learn your steps, and we’ll hold hands and look like we’re partner dancing. Even though I was teaching the lesson, I wouldn’t have been able to do a real swingout to save my life. But a few days after Bromley and I met, we started going social dancing A LOT! From there, we learned how to lead and follow and never looked back.
Bromley: As teachers, we always like to teach things that are interesting to us and that we currently put into our dancing. Not only will the material be more interesting for the students, but as the instructors, we’re able to put a lot of excitement and love into each and every one of our classes.
2. What inspired you to get involved with the 24 Hour Dance-a-thon?
Bromley: We were honored when we were invited to teach at an event as wonderful as the 24 Hour Dance-a-thon. We knew right away when we were asked to teach that we wanted to volunteer our time because it is for such a great cause. So many people are affected by cancer, and if we can help raise some money by doing something that Jean and I Iove to do and that we get to do together, we are all for it!
3. What class will you be teaching during the Dance-a-thon?
Jean & Bromley: 9:00am – Lesson:Lindy Hop Turns with Jean Ma and Bromley Palomountain
4. What is your favorite dance move?
Jean: Our favorite moves change almost every other day if not every day. It really just depends on the music we are dancing to and what we feel is inspiring us at that moment. One thing that I can say for sure is that I LOVE spins and turns! So the class we will be teaching this weekend is one of my favorite topics!
Bromley: I love playing with syncopation and variations of footwork. I am also really inspired by tap, so I really enjoy seeing where I can add tap into my Lindy.
5. What is your strategy for staying awake during the 24 hours?
Jean & Bromley: We will try to get a good amount of sleep the night before, and we will let the excitement of reuniting with old friends and making new ones keep us up.
6. What is the one dance tip that you think every dancer needs to know?
Jean & Bromley: Have fun! Of course we highly encourage everyone to take classes and learn proper technique and cool moves because that will definitely increase the amount of fun you can have. But at the end of the day you don’t want dancing to seem like work. Really enjoy your time with each partner you get to dance with because every single dance will be unique.
