Welcome Line Dancers!

Keith and Nicky Riess began line and partner dancing in 2010, after Nicky discovered a weekly dance event hosted at a Masonic Lodge in the Delaware County suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2017, Keith and Nicky decided to take their skillset to the next level, when they began instructing and DJing their own line and pattern partner dance event once a week in Gibbstown, New Jersey, under the name “Delco Line Dancing.” In April 2019, they choreographed their first successful pattern partner dance, “We’re Knockin’ Boots,” which further boosted their visibility throughout the East Coast dance community. In addition, Keith was hired as one of the internal house instructors at Prospector’s Dance Venue in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Even with all the opportunities that have presented themselves throughout their dancing careers, Keith and Nicky remain humbled to share their passion for dance with so many amazing friends, colleagues, choreographers, and instructors around the world!

I first went line dancing back in 2000 when my high school friend and I decided to learn to dance for our senior prom. This was a great idea but not the real reason we started. I lived down the street from Line Dancing in Rockaway (formally known as Moore Dancin’, Dance N Style, Let’s Dance Again, Let’s Dance Again Again) and we wanted to check it out. We first visited a western store and bought Wrangler’s and a western shirt. We first started at a local VFW and then went to the place in Rockaway. 

That first Tuesday night, which was beginner night, was so much fun as we hid in the corner not sure what we got ourselves into. I met a bunch of new people that night and started my line dancing life. This is where I met my mentor Stompin’ Sue. She took me under her wing and over the years I learned to teach and DJ. 

Once I learned the beginner dances, I moved into intermediates and eventually into 2-Step, waltz, and swing. I just loved to dance at that point. I would go to the dance weekends ran by Dan and Kelly Albro and become part of their extended dance family, which I’ve been going to since October 2001. The line dance community has become a 2nd family to me. I’ve met my best friends through dance, and we’ve traveled on the east coast together. Over time, I started to work more line dancing events and DJ more. I’ve DJ’ed for many years at Line Dancing In Rockaway and the Mishnock and Friends Country Dance Weekend. I am well versed in country and non-country music and dances as well as the freestyle world. 

DJ’ing is my passion. I love mixing the various tempos and the beat while watching people enjoy expressing themselves. 

My name is Kayla and I`m the 2017 USLDCC Over-All Runner up & 1st Placed Phrased Choreography Line Dance Champion. I stumbled across line dancing back in 2004 while out one night with friends. They brought me to a country bar that had a huge wooden dance floor, 3 bars and a mechanical bull. This was a popular dance bar called The Colorado Cafe in Watchung NJ. (Sadly, closed in July of 2017 after almost 23 years in business) It may shock you to hear that I was incredibly shy and refused to even step foot on the floor the first several times I went! After finally getting the guts to get on the floor, I instantly became addicted and went back every chance I had. A year or so later, I was asked to begin instructing at the Colorado Cafe and did so for 11 years, up until they closed their doors. I continued to teach at conventions up and down the east coast, dance halls and compete in the USLDCC, placing a total of 7 times before taking 1st place at Championships in the phrased division. Outside of the line dance world, I work a full time Job in Managed IT Services, as the Inside Sales Manager at one of the top MSP’s in NJ. I`m a licensed Zumba Instructor, living donor, and a full time Fur-Momma to 2 bigger dogs. I feel blessed for all the opportunities I’ve had in my life and love sharing all my passions with everyone! Please be sure to stop by my classes and say hello! 

Pictured on the right at our last Philly event in 2019 at our Murder Mystery Dinner! Donna will be judging our UCWDC contests as well as teaching classes!