Instructors

We are thrilled to introduce our main instructors for Back Home Again in Indiana 2025:

Doug Bae & Val Kutchko

Meet Val:

Val (they/she) has been dancing since 2015 and has made a vibrant impact in every scene they’ve been part of - Kansas, Michigan, and now Pittsburgh - as an organizer, teacher, and DJ. Val delights in both following and leading, and as an instructor emphasizes communication and comfort.

Meet Doug:

Doug (he/him) stumbled into Lindy Hop in 2016, and it quickly became an enormous part of his life, taking him on a journey across the country to learn, teach, and dance. Now a key organizer for PittStop and Pittsburgh’s scene, Doug loves nothing more than to share the joy he experiences while dancing. As a teacher, he enjoys focusing on connection, responding to your partner, and delving into mechanics.

We asked Doug and Val a couple questions about BHAII, and here’s what they had to say:

Why did you want to be involved in BHAII?

Val: "Weekend dance events can feel fleeting yet intense. BHAII is trying to create a weekend that dedicates time to building collaborative and supportive community - something that requires intentionality to build. I think that's dreamy!"

Doug: "I want to see more events arise in the scene and thrive, and I think it is important for those to have their own identity and goal. I really appreciate BHAII having a clear vision, and hope that I can help reflect some of it!"

What are you most looking forward to?

Val: "Sharing with and learning from dancers in other scenes! One of my favorite things about traveling is being able to bring back ideas and skills to my home scene and see what we do with them."

Doug: "To see the challenge of building a weekend focused around community come to fruition and experience how that affects the experience (and dancing) of the attendees!"

We’re so excited to have these two incredible humans on board. Their passion for inclusion, intentional teaching, and community building perfectly aligns with our mission: Create a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and inspired to learn and connect.

Desiree Roffers & Shannon Varner

Meet Desiree:

Desiree has loved dancing her whole life, starting at age 4 with Irish Dance before discovering her passion for swing in 2002. She’s studied Lindy Hop, Blues, Balboa, and more recently, Collegiate Shag, earning awards at events like All Balboa Weekend, California Balboa Classic, and Hot Rhythm Holiday. Based in Chicago, Desiree is a dedicated educator with multiple graduate degrees and is currently pursuing her PhD in Instructional Technology. She founded Chicago Balboa Underground in 2011 and now organizes Great Lakes Balboa Escape and Great Lakes Shag Escape. Known for her inclusive, trauma-informed approach, Desiree teaches across the U.S. and internationally, always focused on building welcoming, connected dance communities.

Meet Shannon:

Shannon loves sharing Lindy Hop and believes it is a wonderful way to connect history and humanity with all generations. Over the years, she’s been honored to perform and earn awards at events like the Nevermore Jazz Ball, American Lindy Hop Championships, and on PBS’ Swingin’ with the Duke alongside Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Shannon is passionate about teaching the skills that allow dancers to connect to the music, and to each other, to create a beautiful, fleeting dance in the moment. She truly believes dance is for everyone and wants more folks to dance with - so don’t hesitate to ask her to dance!

Why did you want to be involved in BHAII? What are you most looking forward to?

Desiree: "Community is at the heart of swing dance! I love that this is the focus of the event."

Shannon: "I'm excited to be part of BHAII because it reflects many of the values of this dance - building real connections, supporting each other through shared growth, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen and welcome. I’m especially inspired by its focus on strengthening ties across the Midwest and helping us all build more connected local scenes."

We’re thrilled to have these two phenomenal instructors on the team! Their dedication to inclusive, thoughtful teaching and community-focused dancing beautifully reflects our mission.