Teachers

Richard Powers is one of the world's foremost experts in American social dance.  He has been researching and reconstructing contemporary and historic social dances for over thirty years, and is currently a full-time instructor at Stanford University.  Selected by the Centennial Issue of Stanford Magazine as one of Stanford University's most notable graduates of its first century, he was also awarded the Lloyd Dinkelspiel Award for exceptional contributions to education at Stanford. 

In addition to his Stanford responsibilities, Richard is busy teaching workshops across the country, in Europe, and is a popular teacher in Japan where he has returned over twenty times to teach workshops. Informative, clear, and with a sense of humor, Richard brings a deep knowledge of dance history and a wonderful philosophy to enhance your dancing experience.

Angela Amarillas, who has assisted Richard in his classes and workshops for many years, was Stanford University’s first Dance Minor. She is a graceful and knowledgeable dancer who shares Richard's passion for historical and vernacular social dance. Richard and Angela have taught and performed in Rome, Prague, Venice, London, Paris, Provence, and St. Petersburg, as well as across the United States.
 

Denver/Boulder has hosted Richard and Angela nine times from 1998-2009 for Waltz, Historic Tango, and Swing weekends.