We are a group of dancers driven to improve and expand the imagination of what blues dancing is. We come from and welcome all backgrounds and levels of dance experience, and are always looking for volunteers to help us run events, teach, foster community, and promote Barefoot Blues.

Derrick Dingman:
Derrick got into the dance scene in late 2005. He started out as a swing dancer, but when introduced into blues he was hooked. From that first day that he acquired the taste of blues in his mouth he has been dancing nonstop, except to eat, sleep, and the occasional work and school. His love for the dance turned into a passion and manifest it self into becoming a community leader and organizer in Portland. Derrick has been DJing for nearly 2 years in Portland, and spun his first national event, the San Diego Fusion Exchange, this January.

Shanti Edison-Lahm:
Shanti Edison-Lahm started partner dancing in 2005 with a major addiction to Tango. But then one fateful night she went to fusion and Blues stole her away. Now she can’t go for more then a week with out it. She also dapples in salsa, waltz, west coast, and “swings out” quite often. She is a member of the Rose City Sweets and a company member of Urban Arts. She has experience in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, krump, hip-hop, belly dancing, and African.

Magen Dean:

Profile coming soon