Elise Lorcher
Idaho grown, Elise Lorcher has been country dancing for over 12 years. She found her love for country swing through a college course at the University of Idaho. Although she had been in competitive dance as a teenager, she loved the partner dynamics of swing style dancing. She enjoyed the challenge of following a partner, rather than following a routine. She credits a lot of her dance and follow abilities to the “old school cowboys” who were able to teach her classic country dance fundamentals and etiquette. Elise has competed in many country dance contests around Idaho and Northwest areas including the Portland Dance Festival. Elise recently won the 2019 Treasure Valley Dancing With The Stars taking first place in all categories, including overall performances. Since she began teaching in 2009, Elise has taught at various clubs, social events, fundraisers, private lessons, as well as getting brides and grooms ready for their first dance. In 2015, she started Dirt Road Dancing with her dance partner Troy DeRosier. Together, they have spread the love of country dance around the Treasure Valley, creating one of the biggest dance scenes in the area. Her favorite part of teaching is watching the smiles on her students grow as they turn into more confident dancers. She truly believes anyone can dance, just a mindful matter of choosing fun over fear. When Elise is not on the dance floor, she is spending time with her family, especially her daughter either baking, playing tennis or cartwheeling in the grass.
Dan Melody
Dan Melody was born and raised in the southern Idaho farmlands where he began his swing dance journey at the age of 14. Dan learned more throughout his teen years in school and stopped when he joined the military. When he got his boots back on the dance floor years later, it didn’t take him long to dust off his swing dancing skills. In 2012, Dan became interested in West Coast Swing and continues to progress and advance his musicality through the mixing of West Coast and country swing dance styles. In 2016, he became a Dirt Road Dancing mentor where he was found assisting with classes around the valley, helping new dancers find their “right” feet on the dance floor. Today he is known for his unique style of swing dancing which is a melding of country and west coast swing dancing platforms. When he isn’t on the dance floor, Dan works as a professional wildlife biologist traveling all around the country conducting wildlife research and monitoring the spread and impact of wildfires.
Alexie Carmouche
Alexie Carmouche moved to Idaho in 2019 and fell in love with the outdoor life and dance.
One dance was all it took for her to get hooked into wanting more. In 2021, she began seeking out different workshops, classes of country dancing and soon became a regular on the local floors where she immersed herself into country swing and line. The Idaho dance scene gave her the inspiration and growth to take her dance to newer levels.
In the summer of 2021 Alexie attended the Yearly Endless Summer Step and Swing Dance Convention where she began her journey of competitive dance. She was mentored throughout her experience during the convention which gave her more confidence and courage to continue her dance journey. Four months and many dance partners later, she joined to compete in the famous local Western Idaho Fair Competition for Country Swing.
Alexie loves a dance that feels like freedom backed with a solid beat. When she is not dancing, you can find her hiking in the Idaho outdoors, backpacking in the northwest wilderness, or gardening at home.