Swing Time! School Program | Bios/Contact Info | DJ Services | Multimedia

Riley Wimes Jr. &
Margot McGraw Toppen

312-371-4753
bigtimeswing@comcast.net




312-371-4753
bigtimeswing@comcast.net

Competition, Teaching & Performance Highlights for Riley & Margot
  • Chicago Summerdance: Featured instructors for the City of Chicago’s Summerdance program (1999-present). Also chosen for promotional appearances on various morning news programs (WGN, NBC) and live performances on State Street.
  • Great Lakes Regional Dance Champion: First place in the American Lindy Hop Championships American Showcase Division regional qualifier for 4 years running (1999-2002)
  • The Living Room Dance Contest: 1st place in 2001 & 2002 (first Lindy Hop team to ever win title)
  • Chicago Shag Team: Conceived and produced a 4-minute routine for 8 dancers that won 2nd place at the American Lindy Hop Championships Cabaret Division (2000)
  • For Dancer's Only Tour: Live on-stage performance with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at Navy Pier Grand Ballroom (2000)
  • Dance Chicago 2000: Choreographed and performed a 4-minute piece (Chicago Shag Team)
  • Dance Chicago 1998: Contributed choreography & performed a hip hop/lindy hop routine with Chicago Swing Half Breeds
  • Film: Featured dance appearances in ‘The Road to Perdition’, Wisconsin Department of Transportation TV commercial; Signcast in-bar promotional footage; Dance related interviews and performances on NBC, ABC, WGN and CLTV news shows
  • General: Numerous spotlight performances and demos at corporate events, festivals, sporting events, etc. (1997-present)

    Margot: Education and Experience

  • Began studying classical ballet and jazz at age 5 and continued through college
  • Taught ballet to 3-10 year olds from 1989-1991
  • Received a BSJ in 1995 from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism
  • Performed in college as a member of Grafitti Dancers, Northwestern University’s premiere dance troupe
  • Began swing dancing in 1997
  • Continues her dance education by taking workshops and private lessons with internationally known instructors in dances ranging from hip-hop to Argentine Tango
  • Began teaching swing dance to adults in 1998
  • Began teaching swing dance and music to children in schools throughout Chicagoland in 1999

    Riley: Education and Experience

  • Began dancing socially at a young age and grew up in a family and community surrounded by music and dance
  • Lead Clarinetist, Drum Major, Band President, and Gold Medal of Music Recipient in High School
  • Received a B.A. in Communications in 1984 from Western Illinois University
  • Began swing dancing in 1997
  • Continues his dance education by taking workshops and private lessons with internationally known instructors in a variety of social dance styles
  • Began teaching swing dance to adults in 1998
  • Began teaching swing dance and music to children in schools throughout Chicagoland in 1999
  • Promotes live jazz music for dancers and listeners through weekly events.
  • Deejays swing/jazz music on a regular basis