{"id":68,"date":"2021-08-30T23:50:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T23:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sdnld.org\/Tom\/?page_id=68"},"modified":"2024-02-23T05:31:59","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T05:31:59","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sdnld.org\/?page_id=68","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

San Diego ‘N’ Line Dancers is a non-profit organization based in San Diego, California. As a member of the International Dance Association of San Diego County<\/a>, we are sponsored by the San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022-2023 Board Of Directors<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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MB Swikard<\/a>, President<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dancing has been a life-long passion and through my SDNLD club participation I have been able to share that love of dancing- by teaching line dance classes and serving as a board member for SDNLD.<\/p>

I continue that mission in the coming year by serving as President for the club.<\/p>

I hope we can continue to grow the club by making line dancing accessible to all levels of dancers and keeping our Socials and Workshops fun for all members. I will continue the mission of seeking more active participation in club activities by the members- the club will only continue to thrive with cooperation and volunteerism.<\/p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Julie Blakeley<\/a>, Vice-President<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My name is Julie Blakeley and I am the Vice-President of SDLND. I was born and raised in Vietnam and I am an accountant. My first experience with line dancing began with Diane Rojas, class in April 2011 when I joined for stress relief. Now, I am taking classes with both Diane Rojas and Mary Beth Swikard (MB). I enjoy dancing with all of you at the socials and workshops and look forward to serving as a board member.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Carole Bennett<\/a>, Treasurer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

-Born and raised in New Orleans, LA
-Served one enlistment in the US Navy
-Graduated Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA with a BA in Business
-Worked in Biotech for 20 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I started line dancing about 2011 and currently attend classes with MB and Carol Stroecker.

As your treasurer, I hope to help make the club activities fun and exciting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tom Wood<\/a>, Secretary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I started line dancing in one of our local country dance clubs in San Diego over 15 years ago. I was first introduced to popular line dance at the 2016 Windy City Line Dance event in Chicago. After searching local groups that dance at the level I saw in Chicago, I discovered San Diego ‘N’ Line Dancers. Since then I enjoy dancing regularly at the SDNLD workshops and socials. I have served as secretary on the SDNLD board since 2020, helping out with our web site, board meetings and social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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John Knapp<\/a>, Delegate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My name is John Knapp. I’ve lived in the San Diego area since ’77 courtesy of the USN from which I retired in ’95. I started dancing in ’79 with Israeli Folk Dancing and added International Folk soon after. I am currently on the board of the Folk Dance Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I started doing County Western dancing (couple and line) in 2006 at InCahoots then the Wagon Wheel in 2008 and joined the SDNLD’s in 2009 with whom I have participated in many County Fair and IDA festival performances. I currently teach a small line dance class at the Folk Dance Center.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jim Wellnitz<\/a>, 2nd Delegate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I started line dancing back in 2012 to meet new like-minded individuals. My first instructor was Diane Rojas then Cathie Lopez with a sprinkling of a few others and finally MB Swikard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My love of line dancing developed into a three pronged reward: yes I met many wonderful people but the mental challenge as well as physical challenge and the ability to express the love of music with dance brought it all together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a former Treasurer of SDNLD (2013-2016) and President in 2017 I\u2019m familiar with the workings of this club. Now being retired after 45 years in the publishing\/distribution business I would enjoy giving back to this club that has so richly rewarded me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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San Diego ‘N’ Line Dancers is a non-profit organization