2022 Events

Manny Viarrial has been dancing for over 38 years.  His first dance styles were freestyle modern, jazz, hip-hop and hustle. He competed at Durango High and Ft. Lewis College.  Every weekend he competed in "street hustle" at his high school and college.  He won many dance contests in Durango, Colorado before moving to Denver.

In 1982, Manny began taking West Coast Swing lessons at the Carter Dance studio.  He studied under Levisohn Carter and an excellent studio instructor, Jean Smith.  For years, Manny studied the intricacies of WCS with these two instructors. During this time, Manny won many competitions at Denver local nightclubs including, The Proof, Score Minus Two, The Castle, Bobby McGee's, Putting on the Ritz, Teddy’s, and The Lift.

In 1986, Manny met ballroom dance instructor, Karen Lee who had organized a dance team using ballroom, Latin and swing choreography.  Between 1986 and 1991, Karen’s dance team performed West Coast Swing, Rumba, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Waltz, Tango and Hustle around Colorado and neighboring western states. Karen brought in instructors such as Buddy Schwimmer, Robert Cordoba, Enio Cordoba, Frankie Manning, and Felix Chavez to name a few.  These coaches were the best in the nation at the time.

In 1990, the Rocky Mountain Swing Dance Club (RMSDC) club was formed.  Manny is a proud charter member of the Rocky Mountain Swing Club.  Since 1998, Manny has been recognized for his participation in Pro-Am competitions by the RMSDC Colorado State Championships and the Colorado Country Classic.  In this competition many of his dance partners have and continue to receive gold and 1st place titles. 

In 1991, the Karen Lee dance team was put to the test at the US Open Swing Dance championships, Team Division.  As a part of her dance team, this was Manny’s first opportunity to perform a choreographed routine with a partner in the Showcase Division.  That particular routine began his WCS competition career.  In 1993, Manny began teaching WCS on a part-time basis.  Gaining popularity, by 1995 Manny became a full-time dance instructor.

Manny’s most cherished moment in dancing came when he was awarded the “Most Improved Dancer Award” at the 1994 US Open Swing Championships.  Manny’s highest honors include winning Champion in the Sophisticated Swing division at the 2001 US Open in West Coast Swing. Since that time, Manny has placed in the top five positions in the Sophisticated, Masters, J&J Champion, Strictly Champion, Pro Am, All American Open divisions around the country and home.

Manny’s other cherished moment came when he was inducted into the Colorado Rocky Mountain Swing club “HALL OF FAME!” in January of 2011. He also was inducted into the World Swing Dance Council HALL OF FAME at the US Open in 2017.  What a moment to remember.  This is in recognition for all the years spent teaching, dancing and competing over his most amazing career.

Manny has been awarded “Top Dance Instructor” at the following Events: 1995 thru 2016 Outstanding Teacher in Pro-Am Division: Colorado State Championships & Colorado Country Classic, Jack & Jill O’Rama and Mountain Magic Competitions in Reno, Portland, Seattle, and California:

Beginning in 1978 to the present, Manny holds over 298 first place titles in his gifted career.  

Competing at the highest level of West Coast Swing at the US Open, Manny’s greatest joy comes from helping others learn how to dance and watching them become graceful, skilled and accomplished dancers.