Meet our instructors

Note: if you have questions about the club please contact the president at: president.bpd@gmail.com.

Stephen Showers

Since 1983 Stephen Showers has won acclaim as a professional dance instructor in both Arizona and California. Fred Astaire trained and certified, Stephen is accomplished in American and International styles for all of the Ballroom, Latin, Swing and Nightclub dances. Stephen welcomes students who desire to become confident social dancers, competitive dancers, or anywhere in between.

Originally from Tucson, Stephen is one of the few instructors in San Diego who has competed in nearly every style of dancesport. His experience as a teacher and competitor has helped him to develop a unique style of teaching that makes learning to dance easy. He teaches our intermediate level class. For a more detailed syllabus of his classes and schedule you can contact Stephen at sshowers4670@gmail.com.

John Nagel

John Nagel has been teaching people to dance for over 15 years. His skills stretch from International and American Ballroom to many of the popular street dances. His high-energy and fresh approach add excitement. John and his talented wife, Lisa Duncan, dance together all over San Diego. John currently teaches our beginning level dance class. You may contact him at dancers@cox.net

Dave Kessel

Dave Kessel is the most veteran instructor with the Balboa Park Dancers, having taught for over 40 years. He's a life member of the International Dance Teachers' Association (United Kingdom), and Master of Arts US Terpsichore. In addition, Dave has performed professionally in a number of esoteric arts, including hand-balancing, Adagio dancing and stage cabaret in the United Kingdom. He currently is our instructor emeritus. You may contact Dave Kessel at davekessel@webtv.net

Kurt Popp

Kurt Popp originally trained in Germany (ADTV certification, equal and beyond ISTD fellow for international ballroom and latin dancing). Kurt has a licentiate degree in theatre arts dancing (USISTD), a double associate degree in american rhythm and smooth dancing with DVIDA and USISTD. Kurt has 30+ years teaching experience of amateurs and professionals in international and american style for social dancing, competing, shows, and professional examination preparations. Kurt competes as a professional in international style 10-dance and with students, pro-am, in international standard and latin, as well as in american rhythm and smooth. Kurt teachers our advanced level class. You may contact Kurt at Kurt@KPDancehouse.com or visit him at www.KurTpopp.com

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa has been Ballroom Dancing for more than 20 years, originally competing in the Amateur International Standard division in her native New Zealand before moving to the U.S. She started teaching over 12 years ago, training in the American dance styles in a Pennsylvania studio. In 2005 she and her husband moved to San Diego, where she loves to share her joy of dance with students of all ages and abilities. She teaches social and wedding dances as well as training and competing with students in Pro-Am competition. Vanessa is the Dance Program Director for Let's Dance Kids!, a non-profit foundation based in the South Bay School District which provides Ballroom Dance training to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

She is a member of the ProDVIDA Professional Teacher Organization, and has achieved professional certifications in American Smooth and Rhythm as well as International Standard. Vanessa sometimes substitutes for Stephen in the intermediate level class. You may contact Vanessa at dancewithvanessa@gmail.com, or visi her on the web at http://dancewithvanessa.com.