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Special Event

October 17–18, 2026

John & Courtney Workshop Weekend

John & Courtney Workshop Weekend

📍 Multiple Venues, Albuquerque

WCS Champions Courtney Adair and John Kirkconnell are coming to town! For the weekend of October 17th, they'll have 3 All-Levels Workshops as well as several activities for competitors. Registration will open here at 7 pm on Friday, August 28th.

Courtney (she/her) is a professional West Coast Swing dancer, judge, and instructor with over 15 years of experience. She is also a professional therapist and holds a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification with special training in teaching Trauma-Informed Yoga. She brings a unique blend of expertise in both the world of dance and the field of mental health.

John (he/him) is a Canadian WCS Champion who has been dancing West Coast Swing for 25 years and has been teaching for 23 in over 21 countries! A two time Classic Division US Open finalist, John prides himself on his sense of dynamic connection and ability to focus on the finer details.

The weekend's activities include 3 All-Levels workshops that build on each other and focus primarily on connection as a theme, and a Competitor's Retreat ($110 base, $55 for students with scholarship) comprising: a 1-hour workshop on preparation, mindset, and strategies for approaching Jack & Jill prelims and semis; a mock Jack & Jill to implement what you learn in a low-stakes environment; a follow-up workshop on areas of improvement Courtney and John observed; and individual feedback sessions where each couple performs a spotlight dance and receives detailed feedback on their strengths, weaknesses, and how to address them — drawing on the spotlight dance, all dances in the mock Jack & Jill (4 minimum), and social dancing observations.

There will be several slots for private lessons with either John or Courtney. They also give the option to have a group private class if there's a topic you and a few others are interested in. Please contact Allen Erickson for availability.

Scholarships (Competitor's Retreat Pass only): Students may apply for a 50% discount, bringing the price to $55. All that is required is verification of your student status. The application is embedded into the registration form.

Volunteering (non-students): A limited number of positions are available. Each position will refund $15 of your ticket, paid to you at the start of your shift. Apply within the registration form. Positions will be filled on October 3rd based on the stated financial need of the applicants.

Note: This schedule is subject to change. All-levels workshops are optional add-ons for Competitor's Pass holders.

Pricing

  • All-levels workshops — $25/workshop base rate; $15/workshop for students and Competitor's Pass holders. $60 for all three.
  • Competitor's Pass — $110. See Scholarships & Volunteering above for possible reductions.
  • Social dancing — $10 ($5 for students). Paid separately to Strictly Swing New Mexico.

* A small surcharge will be added to Venmo transactions with SouthWesties (does not apply to social dancing, paid to Strictly Swing NM).

Schedule

Saturday, October 17

11:00–11:50 AM All-Levels Workshop #1

Lloyd Shaw Dance Center (5506 Coal Ave SE).

Workshop(s) Sign-Up
12:10–1:00 PM All-Levels Workshop #2

Lloyd Shaw Dance Center (5506 Coal Ave SE).

1:20–2:10 PM All-Levels Workshop #3

Lloyd Shaw Dance Center (5506 Coal Ave SE).

3:00–3:10 PM Competitors' Retreat Check-in

Peace Love Space (10410 Comanche Rd NE).

3:10–4:00 PM Competition Prep Workshop

Peace Love Space (10410 Comanche Rd NE). Part of Competitor's Retreat Pass.

4:00–5:00 PM Mock Jack & Jill

Peace Love Space (10410 Comanche Rd NE). Part of Competitor's Retreat Pass.

Competitor's Retreat Sign-Up
7:30–10:30 PM Social Dancing

CSP Dance Studios (1624 Eubank Blvd NE). Courtney & John demo at ~9:15 PM. Hosted by Strictly Swing NM.

Social Sign-Up

Sunday, October 18

1:00–1:50 PM Competitor's Workshop (J&J Follow-up)

Peace Love Space (10410 Comanche Rd NE). Part of Competitor's Retreat Pass.

2:00–4:00 PM Individual Feedback Sessions

Peace Love Space (10410 Comanche Rd NE). Part of Competitor's Retreat Pass.

Competitor's Retreat Sign-Up