Winners receive a
Radio-Ice Cooler
courtesy of
ABC Television

Skippy Blair
surrounded by 80
Dancers & Flashlights
for her 80th birthday

2004 "Person of the Year" 
Sponsored by ABC Television

Skippy Blair - First Lady of Swing

When setting the criteria for the USA Swing Net "Person of the Year" award, we sought candidates who, "because of their achievements, actions and example over the past year, demonstrated excellence and helped to enhance the image of Swing in a significant way."  Based upon input from event directors, judges, competitors, and Swing fans around the country - Skippy Blair stands at center stage.  She is our 2004 "Person of the Year."

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She is fondly referred to as the "First Lady of West Coast Swing".  The title suits her nicely. 

Skippy Blair’s love affair with Swing started in 1938 on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City.  All the Big Bands of the day played there, and in 1941 Skippy and her partner, Red Rex, from California won the big yearly Jitterbug contest they hosted.

During the late 1940s and early ‘50s, Skippy married a marine and had 4 children, but still took time out for teaching tap dancing classes.  In 1958 she opened her first studio and started training Champion Dancers and Teachers.  In 1974 she inaugurated National Dance Teacher Intensives which involved detailed, comprehensive training in dance knowledge, teaching and judging.  They continue today and the seminars run anywhere from 3 to 7 days and are often integrated into major weekend dance events.

In 1975 Skippy appeared in the movie, "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom".  She later appeared in the 1987 Movie, "Tales of the Hollywood Hills".  She spent several years as a choreographer and performer for TV shows like "Let's Dance",  "Truth or Consequences" and "Bob Barker's Varieties".

Skippy Blair's dance resume is formidable: Co-founder of the World Swing Dance Council, a Feather Award recipient, member of the Swing Dance Hall of Fame, founder of the Golden State Teachers Association, developer of the Universal Unit System®, Director of Dance Dynamics Studio, creator of the "Swing World" website for continuing dance education, and the author of 7 books and 14 videos.  Her 1978 publication, "Disco to Tango and Back", has become a collector's item on Amazon.

That's the LONG history. 

In 2004 her contributions to the World of Swing continued in earnest. She taught weekend Dance Intensives in Atlanta, Seattle, Detroit, Chicago, Anaheim, Monterey, San Francisco, Downey, Irvine, Nashville, San Jose, Palm Springs, Sacramento - and even Hawaii.  Over 1,000 dancers attended her Intensives over the course of the year. 

Skippy also offered Dance Critiques at many of the competitions she attended and was one of the premier judges at the 2004 US OPEN.  Her dance and judging tips are published on websites and in print all across the country. And each year, she presents a number of Dance Scholarships to deserving dancers.

But the crowning moment of 2004 took place on March 15th when Skippy Blair turned 80 years young.  It was a milestone for "Lady Swing" and a shared celebration for her fans across the country.  At each venue she traveled to, dancers held special Birthday Ceremonies to salute her and her career.  One special tribute took place at the Michigan Classic on 4th of July Weekend in Detroit.  There, Skippy stepped onto the stage in a red, white and blue outfit and sang a song she wrote and recorded years ago that was entitled, "What Is America?".  She received a standing ovation for her performance and a flurry of tears from the hundreds of dancers in the audience.  Afterwards, 80 dancers holding flashlights with red, white and blue lenses formed a circle around her to represent 80 "candles" on a human birthday cake.  It was one of those "Kodak Moments" that none of the attendees will soon forget!

Perhaps this personal comment from Skippy defines the lady and the dance she loves better than any salute we could give her...

"Today - right now - this is a wonderful world we live in.  Those who are fortunate enough to be a part of the Dance World can count their blessings for all the wonderful people who are a part of their extended family - as well as the exciting and ever-changing life that they get to experience.

"I don't think I would want to go back - even if I could.  There is a season for everything, and experiencing each one in its proper order is the miracle of life.  God bless everyone - and Keep Dancing!"

Skippy Blair is fondly referred to as the "teacher's Teacher" and the "First Lady of West Coast Swing".  She is a Swing icon and has been an inspiration to tens of thousands of dancers across this country and around the world for more than 66 years now.  She is something special.

But it is not just the resume that we honor here, nor the longevity of her dance career.  Instead, we spotlight Skippy Blair as a SYMBOL for how a person and how a dance can enlighten the lives of others at any age and in any forum.  Skippy represents the "life breath" of dance, in general, and West Coast Swing, in particular.  At the youthful age of 80, she remains a driving force in the dance community and one of its all-time greatest Leaders.

And so, for all that she represents in the way of inspiration, motivation and passion to all the dancers who have come in contact with her, and for all the dance knowledge she has passed on to those same dancers, we are extremely proud to select Skippy Blair as the USA Swing Net "Person of the Year" for 2004. 

Congratulations, Skippy!  (We'll all be there to celebrate your 90th!)      

©USA Swing Net