Roger & Denise Underhill

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

We are the founders and lead instructors of Underhill’s Swing and Shag Dance Collective. With a marriage of over 44 years and 15 years spent mastering the hardwood together, our partnership is built on the belief that partner dance is the ultimate "Third Place" - a community sanctuary for connection and joy, free from digital noise and commercial spectacle. 

Our Mission: Substance Over Spectacle 

Our work is defined by Generativity: the practice of passing on technical mastery and social grace to ensure these authentic American art forms remain vibrant. For 12 of our 15 years in the community, we have focused specifically on the preservation and curation of: 

• Carolina Shag: We hold a deep reverence for the Southeast legacy of the Shag. We teach you to stop "stepping" and start "painting the floor," prioritizing the smooth, grounded "sand-in-the-shoes" glide and the subtle, rhythmic footwork that defines this elegant dance. 
• Vernacular Swing: From the high-energy foundations of the Charleston and Lindy Hop to the distinct, rhythmic styling of the Philly Bop, we honor the historical roots while making them accessible for the modern social floor. 

The Kinetic Connection & "Combo Swing" 
Through our workshops and publication, The Kinetic Connection, we move beyond the "what" to the "why." We help our students move past the "neurological traffic jam" of counting steps to achieve Structural Telepathy—a flow state where two independent nervous systems entrain to a single rhythm.  We are also the architects of "Combo Swing," a "Skeleton Key" style designed for the modern social dancer. It is a system of fluency that allows you to seamlessly bridge 6-count and 8-count rhythms, "unlocking your entire playlist" from Southern Soul and R&B to Country and Pop. 

The Pharmacy of the Floor 
Our "Substance-First" approach is backed by over 360 hours of instruction delivered to hundreds of students. Informed by research on neuroplasticity and the "Yale Study" on active aging, we view the dance floor as a Pharmacy. We help our students trade technical pivots for Nitric Oxide and syncopation for dopamine, literally "slowing down time" through mindful connection and novelty. 

Join the Conversation 
As Curators of Pure Experiences, our goal is to provide Active Adult Excellence in every class. Whether we are teaching at our home base in Colonial Heights or guest-instructing at a regional gala, we invite you to move past the "show" and find the mindful, physical dialogue that makes partner dance a lifelong sanctuary. "The fingertips are where the soul of the dance lives. Come find your connection."