Board

Get to know the Forest City Board members! When you see us don’t be afraid to say hi or to ask for a dance or two or three.

Kimberly Andrews
I have been swing dancing since 2000. Recently I had my first child, Evan Nicholas Andrews on May 2008. I work at the Health Department as a WIC Nutritionist. My husband and I have adopted two cats, Marvin and George who are a handful.  At swing dancing I help out with whatever needs to get done.

Paul Andrews
I have been swing dancing since 2000.  I work for Rock Valley College grant programs: Dislocated Worker Program which helps people to go back to school if they have lost their jobs.  I am one of the original members of Forest City Swing.  If you have any questions, email me through the website and I will get back to you.  Recently my wife and I had our baby, Evan Nicholas Andrews in May 2008.  You’ll often see me running around at swing dancing or at any of our other events making sure things run smoothly.

Justin Backens
I have been Swing dancing since 1996. Currently I am working at Thermo Fisher Scientific as IT Help Desk. Some of my favorite songs are: Not Ashamed by the Newsboys and How Lucky can one guy be by Indigo Swing. I have a baby girl, Seara who was born June 2007. I enjoy contributing to the community a positive avenue of fun and exercise through swing dancing.

Tina Cuppini
My name is Tina Cuppini and I am a volunteer instructor at Forest City Swing. I have been dancing for approximately 3 1/2 years with many more years to come! My favorite dance in lindy hop and I love to travel to dance. I have an eclectic taste in dance music and I really enjoy dancing to non-traditional pop or hip-hop music.

Currently, I am employed at Starbucks as a barrista and at Opportunity House where I work with adults with cognitive disabilities. This fall, I will be student teaching in the Rockford area and I will be graduating from NIU in December with a degree in Special Education.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.” – Dr. Seuss

Blake Duemer
Brief 1-2 paragraph bio, including perhaps vocation, interests, length of time swing dancing, volunteer role(s) with Forest City Swing, etc. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here.

Katherine Koehler
Brief 1-2 paragraph bio, including perhaps vocation, interests, length of time swing dancing, volunteer role(s) with Forest City Swing, etc. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here.

Courtney Samuelson
Brief 1-2 paragraph bio, including perhaps vocation, interests, length of time swing dancing, volunteer role(s) with Forest City Swing, etc. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here.

Chris Samuelson
Brief 1-2 paragraph bio, including perhaps vocation, interests, length of time swing dancing, volunteer role(s) with Forest City Swing, etc. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here. More to be added here.