About Nick & Katherine

Nick and Katherine were both accomplished dancers and instructors before they met. Over the years their mutual admiration for one another led to a close friendship and eventually, a wonderful marriage. Students love their partnership, performances, workshops and private lessons together.

Katherine Krok Eastvold

Katherine's exceptional instruction is rooted in her rare, rich and diverse background. She learned East Coast Swing at the historic Brown Derby in Hollywood, CA, dancing to live bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. At UCLA she studied under internationally recognized professors in a number of styles, including Contact Improvisation, African Dance, Korean Dance and Flamenco. She also began competing in Country Western, Hustle and West Coast Swing. Attracted to West Coast Swing, she began to study it in its birthplace, where the best dancers in the world were gathered. She enjoyed learning with the legends of the industry and watched as numerous milestones in the dance unfolded.

After graduating with Honors from UCLA, Katherine moved on to receive her Teaching Degree from the Graduate School of Education at UCR, the top rated educational program in the nation. She excelled as one of their best and brightest teachers, graduating with Honors and with special recognition from the Dean of Education.

During her studies, Katherine successfully competed on the national level, enjoying top honors at a number of prestigious events. At the US Open Swing Dance Championships, she enjoyed dancing not only in the finals, but also on teams with today's top international champions and bringing her own team to Top 5 honors.

Eventually, Katherine opened, owned and operated her own swing and ballroom studio in Southern California, where her depth of experience, combined with her exceptional training as a teacher, made her an instant success with her students. She trained dancers of every level, helping them make the finals of events within a few lessons. She especially enjoyed choreographing her students' Ballroom and Latin showcase routines and dancing with them in Pro/Am competitions. She moved to the Bay Area when she married her husband, Nick.

Nick Eastvold

Nick first trained at Arthur Murray where he quickly became a popular instructor. Soon after he was hired on at an independent studio, the Diamond Ballroom. There he continued his training in both American and International ballroom and latin styles.

Once again he became a popular instructor and started choreographing and performing with and for his students. While perfoming at a high level in his own competitions, his Pro/Am students excelled as well. 95% of his students repeatedly earned Gold or Gold with Honors at their first competition. Students still enjoy his personal touch during lessons, and consistently seek him out on the dance floor. In 1995 Nick graduated from UCR with Honors and became a full-time electrical engineer in the Bay Area, where he resides with his wife, Katherine.