Shalay Andrus

Dance Styles

Background & Experience

Shalay Andrus has been dancing West Coast Swing since 1998 and has spent over 25 years teaching and growing within the dance community. She is a GPDIA and 101 certified West Coast Swing instructor, known for blending strong technical foundations with a connection-first approach. In addition to her dance credentials, Shalay is a certified Premethian Spark Life Coach, integrating movement, breath, and somatic awareness into her teaching. She believes dance is more than a skill, it is a powerful pathway to healing, self-awareness, and real-life connection.

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is rooted in connection first. I believe West Coast Swing is more than learning patterns or perfecting technique. It is a space where people can come back to themselves, build trust in their bodies, and learn how to truly connect with another person. In my classes, I focus on creating a safe and supportive environment where dancers can explore, make mistakes, and grow. I blend strong technical foundations with somatic awareness, helping students not just understand the “how,” but feel the “why” behind their movement. Every dancer comes in with a different story, different goals, and different needs. My role is to meet them where they are and guide them forward in a way that feels empowering, grounded, and real. Because when you learn to connect in your body, it doesn’t just change your dancing. It changes how you move through life.