Doug and Nicki Silton

I met Doug five or six years ago when he substitute taught for a group West Coast Swing class in Pasadena. Right away it was evident he was an amazing teacher, and I was somewhat I disappointed he lived in West L.A. at the time since that would limit any opportunity to take classes with him. I was thrilled a couple of years later when I found out he was moving to Pasadena and setting up a small studio in his house.
Doug is an amazing teacher able to convey subtle lear/​follow techniques easily, and he is able to pack a ton of information into an hour lesson. I have taken mainly Westie with him, but have done a little Lindy and Shag as well, and have always come away with tons of things to work on. A single session with Doug can give you weeks or months of material to practice.
He and Nicki have since moved to the Portland area. If you have an opportunity to take from Doug, either at his studio or an event, I highly recommend it.

My wife and I took private lessons from the Siltons for six months in California, just before they moved to Oregon. Right from the start, they were very responsive to our email inquiries and helped us a lot. They helped us know how to get the right shoes for us, which was important because those lessons were our first experience with any kind of dance, and we knew nothing! Once we started our lessons, we soon were convinced that Doug and Nicki are both great teachers! During our lessons, they were always very patient and extremely encouraging. They would each explain things in different ways so that it was easier for us to catch on to steps. They made us feel relaxed and also made our lessons a lot of fun.
In addition, we are both middle-​aged and have various minor arthritis-​related joint issues. They were very sensitive to this, and would adapt or exclude moves that might be a problem for us. Moreover, they were not pushy at all about wanting us to buy more lessons or to get to a certain level. They were always on time for our lessons and flexible about scheduling our lesson times. In addition to being really friendly people, we appreciated their level of professionalism very much, and we learned a lot in a short time. They get our highest recommendation!

This review is long overdue as Doug and Nicki have been my teachers since May of 2013. I first met Doug and Nicki at a dance convention where they were teaching a WCS Reuda class. It was so much fun that I decided to get a few private lessons from them. Doug and Nicki are both championship level dancers — it’s one thing to be a great dancer, but quite another to have the skill to teach (Doug also happens to be a Champion Lindy dancer). I had such a blast during my first few classes with them, that I stayed on as their student until they moved to Portland late last year. The great thing about D&N is that you get two teachers for the price of one and having one of them review your technique while dancing with the other is a huge plus point. Moreover they are super friendly and really nice people and I ended up learning a lot from these two. Highly, highly recommended.

I knew Doug when he was in Pasadena. I’ve taken group lessons with him and a couple of private lessons. Nicki came into the picture during the time I’ve known Doug. His classes and private lessons were great! He is a very skilled teacher, with good focus on the basics, like «frame» and partner-​to-​partner communication. His technique is up-​to-​date, also. The classes were fun. He taught us little choreographed bits to keep it interesting and he is very funny. When he and Nicki taught together, it was great. She makes the steps and moves very clear for the «follow» partner, so as to not daunt the beginner. The private classes are well worth the investment, as you will advance more quickly. Both Doug and Nicki are respectful and kind, and a beginner need have no fear. A more advanced dancer will benefit also, as Doug and Nicki are championship dancers.

I’ve long admired Doug and Nicki’s dancing, group classes and the amazing results they’ve gotten for their West Coast Swing competitor students. I was finally able to grab a private with them at a recent dance convention. I specifically wanted to learn some ladies’ styling moves I’ve seen on the floor. WOW! Though I could barely describe the moves, Nicki instantly knew what I was talking about, and did the moves to perfection. She and Doug broke them down step-​by-​step, so I really understood where each body part needed to be on each count to recreate the look. I also had a laundry list of several other things I wanted to work on, and Doug threw in some excellent technique tips. Amazingly, we got through every single list item in one hour with a video review.
As another reviewer mentioned, having two instructors of such precision watching you from different angles is incredibly helpful. Doug and Nicki’s warmth and encouragement is so lovely. I was able to relax and enjoy learning.
Hope to catch them again soon!

I know Doug from attending local dance conventions in Northern CA. I really like his style of dance, sophisticated, casual, cool, and, elegant His instructional videos are among the best in the business. Anyone reading this review should check out his Dance Just Like Me ! online app were you can purchase these videos at a substantially reduced rate.

My husband and I recently moved to LA and were so lucky to be introduced to Doug and Nicki! We’ve been taking private lessons from them. Not only are they the cutest couple I’ve ever seen, they are the most kind, talented and knowledgeable in the business! They go at your pace, thoroughly describe each move, and really allow you to have fun and enjoy the process!
They have a great foundation («The Triangle») that they teach off of to help you grasp the basics and advance from there; ie basic sugar push, basic right side pass, basic whips to all the more advanced and stylized versions.
It’s also rare to have two instructors in the room with you, which is my favorite part! Nicki points out things that Doug might not see and vice versa, which I believe helps us advance quicker. They both dance with us individually so we can also feel how the movement works.
These are the best in the business, no joke. Their skill level, patience, and ability to communicate sets them a part! They are worth every penny!
I wish we could keep them here in LA, but excited for their next journey!

Doug and Nicki are killer teachers and great people. They have a very clear and practical way of breaking down steps and provide great insights into technique and connection. I really like how they cross over so well within different styles of swing dancing in both the West Coast Swing Scene and Lindy Hop Scene so which give them an edge as instructors!
Highly recommended for privates, classes and workshops!

Doug & Nicki are the best in the business! I love how they work with my children too! Top notch private studio or they come to you. I like how they are always teaching the latest moves but never forgetting the roots of the dance. Very well respected dance couple in the dance community. I highly recommend for any age of dancer and/​or performer.

I have worked with Doug and Nicki for years. Great instructors with an easy going, reassuring style that will have you dancing in no time.

Best. Teacher. Ever. My fiancé and I went to him for some wedding dance lessons and he was not only responsive in emails and phone, but also very knowlegeable in dance structure AND a great dancer (youtube him!). He’s not here to rip you off like some dance schools/​instructors out there. He helped us pick out a song, and taught us some basic steps with a little flair to help us along. He’s patient, fun, funny, forgiving (even when I stepped on his feet a few times too many), not to mention super cute. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Thanks Doug!