Name
Joseph Rocamora
Location:
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Hometown:
Harbor City, CA, United States |
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My Story:
In January 2006, I got involved in a car accident. Everybody got out okay and I thought I was okay myself, but a couple of weeks later I felt sharp pains in my chest. I thought I was having a heart attack. It was diagnosed as muscle spasms and was caused by something stressful. I knew right away that it was because of the accident. I needed a diversion.
I was walking around the University of Southern California campus (where I work), when I saw flyers about a ballroom team and a dance club, having classes almost every night of the week. I joined the ballroom team and even competed. Although it was fun, to me, one drawback of ballroom dancing is that: to be good at it, it is a must to have a steady dance partner, one that can devote lots of hours of practice. With students mostly on the team, that was not possible. Academics are their priority. So, I devoted more time to the dance club which focused on social dances like swing and Salsa. I was originally gravitating towards Salsa. What bugged me was, when I go to Salsa clubs, they play 8 minutes worth of dance music! You can't exactly dance basic steps the whole 8 minutes. I've seen the expressions of the ladies I danced with, they were mightily bored!
The president of the USC Dance Club at the time, Lorenzo Rossi, talked me into being active in the swing dance side of the club. In 2006, I attended two pivotal swing outings: Swing Pit Halloween Party and the 24 Hour Danceathon. It was in the Halloween party where I saw my first Jack and Jill competition. I was super impressed. I wanted to dance like them! And, in the Danceathon, I met some of the friendliest people ever. I had a lot of fun in that event. Follows didn't care whether I knew basic steps only. I felt I belong! Needless to say, I was hooked! And I've been swing dancing since.
Joseph Rocamora's Profile
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Additional Questions
When/where did you first start doing Lindy Hop?
In 2006, I took swing dance class from Rusty Frank & Ron Campbell courtesy of USC's Dance Club
Why did you first start doing Lindy Hop?
I needed some diversion
What is the size of your local Lindy community?
Huge
How often do you go out dancing or take lessons?
Between 2006 & 2007, almost every week. Among my teachers are: Rusty Frank, Ron Campbell, Gio Quinterro, Erin & Tami Stevens, Nick Williams, Laura Keat & Jeremy Otth, Shesha & Nikki Marvin plus Ben & Sheri Yau at Lindy Groove!
What is your favorite thing about Lindy Hop (both as an activity and as a community)?
Friendly people and awesome music!
What do you do for a living?
Information Technology - Systems Administrator
Male/Female:
Male
Year you were born?
1964
What bit of non-swing info about you would the Lindy community find interesting?
I am passionate about history and collect militaria.
How has Lindy Hop changed your life?
I used to just listen to jazz music, now I can dance to it. More importantly, I found my life partner in the swing dance community.
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