--- title: "About Nicholas Tapia · Dancer & Teacher in Vilnius" description: "Nicholas Tapia teaches Collegiate Shag, Balboa, Lindy Hop, and Argentine Tango in Vilnius. Dancer and teacher since 2009, and the 2014 USA Tango champion." canonical: "https://dance.nicktapia.com/about/" --- # About Nicholas Tapia Nicholas Tapia is a dancer and teacher based in Vilnius, Lithuania, originally from California. He teaches Collegiate Shag, Balboa, Lindy Hop, and Argentine Tango, in English and Spanish. He has taught dance professionally since 2009, at studios, workshops, and festivals across the United States, Europe, and Asia. He works with [What A Jazz](https://whatajazz.lt/) in Vilnius and travels to teach and compete. His competition record runs across tango and swing. He won the 2014 USA Tango Championship and has placed in shag, balboa, and lindy hop contests at festivals in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, Stockholm, and Barcelona. The full log is below. ## Accomplishments, Teaching & Performances *Under construction*, a lot of the pre swing stuff hasn't been added yet! ![nicholas-2024-triplecrown2.jpg](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/nicholas-2024-triplecrown2.jpg) #### Balboa Beginners Series With Egle N. Day 1: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DaCh6TgoJ6j/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaCh6TgoJ6j/) Day 2: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DaNtUwro5Id/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaNtUwro5Id/) Day 3: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DapeYdFImTl/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DapeYdFImTl/) Day 4: [https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4wMLeIbfP/](https://www.instagram.com/p/Da4wMLeIbfP/) #### Who Hit John Outdoors Gig: [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZi1PxbI\_UR/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZi1PxbI_UR/) #### Music Video Gig Gig: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwFW7uCV1eU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwFW7uCV1eU) #### Beat and Blues Tango Taster [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLBcYWo3Lz/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLBcYWo3Lz/) #### Valencia Mix and matches Pure Bal and Strictly with Sheiva #### Uptown Rhythm [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQkJ0Bo9TK/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQkJ0Bo9TK/) Lindy Hop Mix and Match finalist #### What A Jazz - Spring 2026 Season January 2026 - June 2026 Beginning Lindy Hop instructor weekly lesson with Justa and regular sub for shag, balboa, and advanced Lindy. [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/elge-nicholas-shag-what-a-jazz.mp4] [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/what-a-jazz-reel-1012555251942218.mp4] #### Shag Snack in Warsaw, Poland by Michał Oblaciński [https://linktr.ee/michal.oblacinski](https://linktr.ee/michal.oblacinski) [https://shagsnack.pl/](https://shagsnack.pl/) ![shag-snack-hero.jpg](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/shag-snack-hero.jpg) #### Snowball in Stockholm - Shag finalist with Theresa - advanced prelims videos: - strictly with Sofia [https://www.instagram.com/p/DTJOwUjjsed/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTJOwUjjsed/) - MM with Denise [https://www.instagram.com/p/DTkZ8jdiEUc/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTkZ8jdiEUc/) - MM with Juanita [https://www.instagram.com/p/DS4ZGfojBT8/](https://www.instagram.com/p/DS4ZGfojBT8/) #### 2025 Balboa Workshop with Hannah at What A Jazz ![Pasted image 20251125094400.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020251125094400.png) #### 2025 Vilnius Shag Fest - "Pure" Shag judge - Instructor with Ada Gori and Hannah Manning - Advanced MM Finalist - Strictly Shag Finalist with Teresa #### 2025 Nov Group Classes at WAJ - Nov 13: Lindy ELEF - Nov 18: Shag and Lindy - Nov 25: Shag and Lindy #### 2025 Camp Hollywood, Los Angeles - Finalist - Shag Mix and Match - all skate [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRAQtjsA9Ks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRAQtjsA9Ks) - 1st spotlight [https://youtu.be/DylJNRfsMlQ?si=splYJgec6Aevrn-l](https://youtu.be/DylJNRfsMlQ?si=splYJgec6Aevrn-l) - 2nd spotlight [https://youtu.be/DylJNRfsMlQ?si=suxx1Am32G08irOH&t=325](https://youtu.be/DylJNRfsMlQ?si=suxx1Am32G08irOH&t=325) - 4th - Am Balboa Strictly - 1st spotlight [https://youtu.be/qJb342FsBR4?si=0KtM5ThgZC8MR1cA&t=222](https://youtu.be/qJb342FsBR4?si=0KtM5ThgZC8MR1cA&t=222) - 2nd spotlight [https://youtu.be/qJb342FsBR4?si=L9hlM07xMccTuBFG&t=438](https://youtu.be/qJb342FsBR4?si=L9hlM07xMccTuBFG&t=438) - 4th - Am Classic Lindy - 1st spotlight [https://youtu.be/ryXfuidpMj4?si=v2V3z8KSycg7uAwD&t=324](https://youtu.be/ryXfuidpMj4?si=v2V3z8KSycg7uAwD&t=324) - 2nd spotlight [https://youtu.be/ryXfuidpMj4?si=f44\_FY3NOlZ7ttDG&t=542](https://youtu.be/ryXfuidpMj4?si=f44_FY3NOlZ7ttDG&t=542) Balboa with Bianca [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Bianca%20Yaghoobi%20and%20Nicholas%20Tapia%20Bring%20the%20Heat!%20Amateur%20Balboa%20Prelims%20Camp%20Hollywood%202025.mp4] Some Photos ![Pasted image 20250904082030.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250904082030.png) ![Pasted image 20250904082014.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250904082014.png) ![Pasted image 20250904081958.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250904081958.png) ![Pasted image 20250911064304.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250911064304.png) ![Pasted image 20250911064335.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250911064335.png) ![Pasted image 20250911064414.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250911064414.png) ![Pasted image 20250911064432.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250911064432.png) ![Pasted image 20250911064513.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250911064513.png) ![Pasted image 20250911064531.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250911064531.png) #### 2025 August Teaching - Hidden City Ballroom Lindy 1 and 2 - [recaps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK2e_qT1V4w&list=PLXY__BX4IJGYV-dkb39WGfNqLC3Zli-pl&index=2) - Argentine Tango Ocho Cortado Class - [recap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8oCduyk7Is) ### 2025 Northwest Balboa Fest - 1st - [Am Balboa](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr3eqgfo4dg) - [Prelims](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMrD-imp4Th/?img_index=1) #### 2025 Berlin Visit - Advanced shag class - [recap](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMZTcH2OIvX/) #### 2025 Vilnius Shag Classes - 1 week intensive - regular class sub - [recap](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJoTllFgdah/) #### 2025 Swing Paradise - 2nd - [Trinity Mix and Match](https://www.instagram.com/p/DLPigGtMjyt/) #### 2025 Valencia Balboa Festival - Mix and Match Open - 1st Alternate - 2nd - Shag Underground Mix and Match Underground Shag Mix and Match with Hannah [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/shag%20mm%20first%20spot.mp4] [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/shag%20mm%20second%20spot.mp4] #### 2025 Mood For Swing, Tokyo - 1st - Open Lindy Hop Mix and Match - 1st - [One Minute Showcase](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJL7ilyRmWI/) [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/nicholas-nanami.mp4] #### 2025 Asian Balboa Exchange - Open Mix and Match 1st Alternate - Open Mix and Match B-side Finalist (4th place) #### 7 Week Tango Series in Tokyo TapiaRui2025Japan7WeekSeries ![Pasted image 20250419013050.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020250419013050.png) #### Special Training Series at Triple Crown - Special Triple Crown Shag Workshop - February 18th 2025 - Special Triple Crown Shag Workshop - February 25th 2025 - Special Triple Crown Shag Workshop - March 4th 2025 ![Pasted image 20241002152039.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020241002152039.png) They had me back! An absolute honor to teach at the legendary @Triple Crown studio again! #### 2025 Calbal - 1st place Shag Underground Mix and Match #### 2024 Dublin Practice and social dancing with the legendary @Rebecca O'Laoire [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/nicholas-rebecca.mp4] #### Special Shag Class at biz\_What a Jazz with @Egle Shag Master Nemickaitė 02 Dance/08 Teaching and Sharing/Classes Given or Prepped/Tapia2024ThinkingAboutTheFutureofSocialShag #### 2024 Vilnius Shag Fest - Advanced Mix and Match - Finalist #### Special Lecture Balboa Lecture - My Life with the Balboa Dancers - One Leaders Guide to Joining the Scene - Nov 18th 2024 ![Pasted image 20241220002922.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020241220002922.png) ![Pasted image 20241220003007.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020241220003007.png) #### 2024 BCN Shag ![Screen Shot 2024-10-02 at 2.16.22 PM.jpg](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Screen%20Shot%202024-10-02%20at%202.16.22%20PM.jpg) In loc\_Barcelona finalist for advanced mix and match and 4th in strictly - Advanced Mix and Match: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edthUm6ApiY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edthUm6ApiY) - Strictly - all skate 1: [https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNvbkOcvCm7pb23UrMp95lPhqOZeXzLbe\_zqzaR](https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNvbkOcvCm7pb23UrMp95lPhqOZeXzLbe_zqzaR) - spotlights and all skate: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsqopGBEr5Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsqopGBEr5Y) #### Special Special Triple Crown Shag Workshop - Sept 10th 2024 ![Pasted image 20241002152039.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020241002152039.png) An absolute honor to teach at the legendary @Triple Crown studio. #### 2024 Bal Hop ![Screen Shot 2024-10-02 at 2.17.26 PM.jpg](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Screen%20Shot%202024-10-02%20at%202.17.26%20PM.jpg) In loc\_Seoul finalist for bal hop cup, 3rd in shag strictly, 2nd balboa am m&m, 1st in shag mix and match - balhop cup - qualifiers: - heat 1: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtMCyFan-2c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtMCyFan-2c) - heat 2: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfctoNAzcIg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfctoNAzcIg) - finals: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnI2ysbhu-M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnI2ysbhu-M) - shag strictly - qualifiers: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgNfjqdJBqg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgNfjqdJBqg) - finals and spotlight: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyi6XUS7jdY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyi6XUS7jdY) - balboa am mix and match - qualifiers: - heat 1: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXqwOJ6JQKc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXqwOJ6JQKc) - heat 2: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrPqWQHxPzo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrPqWQHxPzo) - finals and spotlight: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVIS\_kWWXIw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVIS_kWWXIw) - shag mix and match - qualifiers - heat 1: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa4KYXSK48U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa4KYXSK48U) - heat 2: - finals and spotlight: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3iRcCBe048](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3iRcCBe048) Shag Strictly with Cherry [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/shag-spotlight-balhop2024.mp4] Mix and Match Lindy Prelims with Jihee! [Video: https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/VID_40740419_090927_634.mp4] #### Seoul Performance Swing performance at Pie Milonga in loc\_Seoul #### 2024 Swinging by the Sound Second in advanced shag mix and match: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWCBz7WGyCg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWCBz7WGyCg) #### Special Tokyo Workshop Special Tokyo Workshop - moving into each others space - June 2024 ![Pasted image 20241126205105.png](https://dance.nicktapia.com/media/Pasted%20image%2020241126205105.png) #### 2024 Portland Lindy Society Instructor Regular instructor of shag at weekly event. #### 2023 Hot Jazz Jamboree Second in shag strictly. Second in open mix and match shag. Third in mix and match balboa. Performance with LollyShaggers. - Shag strictly 2nd place: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTZNoGHxdA4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTZNoGHxdA4) - Shag mix and match 2nd place: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tdnjhile0U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tdnjhile0U) - LollyShaggers video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ArEkkFx6lk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ArEkkFx6lk) - Balboa mix and match Finals 3rd place: [https://youtu.be/eKj4BTFvnck?si=y3Bs5OupyIGjrv26&t=363](https://youtu.be/eKj4BTFvnck?si=y3Bs5OupyIGjrv26&t=363) #### Portland State Faire 2023 Backup Dancer for biz\_Rhythm Wrecker Dance Band #### 2023 Swingin by the Sound Second in advanced shag mix and match: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27qjg-onJj4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27qjg-onJj4) #### 2023 Hot Rhythm Holiday Mix and match advanced shag finalist: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktszlk174rk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktszlk174rk) #### 2020 Camp Hollywood Second in shag strictly. See [results page](https://camphollywood.net/contest-results/contest-results-2020/) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Z6twJ5p9Y&t=510s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Z6twJ5p9Y&t=510s) #### 2019 Camp Hollywood - First place team [results page](https://camphollywood.net/contest-results/contest-results-2019/) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUTQNzSbiNk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUTQNzSbiNk) - 5th place student team coach. #### 2018 Swing Devils Competition First at the University Swing Club in Phoenix #### 2017 Mundial de Tango - Tango World Championship 56th (of 800ish) - with Stephanie #### 2014 USA Tango Championships 1st - with Stephanie #### 2013 USA Tango Championships 5th - with Stephanie #### 2012 USA Tango Championships 3rd - with Amar #### 2011 USA Tango Championships 5rd - with Rebecca