Richard Kear is a fun, charismatic, well-spoken and very professional dance instructor. He is well liked for his ability to style-flex to his students' interest level and needs. That's important since he teaches and coaches to a range of beginners, veterans, social and competitive dancers. Richard and his former professional partner, Helen Voss, are the1995 World Champions and 14 time National Champions on the United Country Western Dance Council circuit. And since many kinds of dances are involved in this title, such as Country 2-step, Cha-Cha, Hustle, Niteclub 2-step, Waltz, and West Coast Swing (which is Richards strength and favorite), he can teach dances that are romantic and slow, or dances that are sexy, uptempo and hip. Growing up, Richard's family moved all over the country for his dad's work, so he's been all over, and is very good at making connections with new people easily. With 14 years teaching experience and coaching from World Class Ballroom, Latin, Swing and Country teachers, as well as a musical background, Richard has developed a clear and dynamic teaching style. His classes and dances are fun and challenging.

Richard was born in the Philippines and traveled back and forth to the United States until he was 7 when his family finally settled in the U.S. Attending a Performing Arts’ high school in Portland, Richard studied Classical and Jazz trumpet, piano, guitar and drums, and performed with “The Art Blakey Jazz Orchestra” and “Spirogyra.” Having a boyhood dream of becoming an Astronaut and a Pilot, Richard enlisted as a Parachute Rigger (Air Crew Survival Equipment Man) in the U.S. Navy in 1989, so he could work closely with pilots while working on his degree to become a pilot. But as fate would have it, Richard began country line dancing at the local country bar (The Saddle Rack) where he met Helen Voss and the rest is history.

Eventually, Richard did become an expert pilot of many various flying contraptions, performing aerial acrobatics and sky writing with smoke as well as formation team flying. It’s been said that “he flies like the way he dances.” In the process he has crashed over 30 airplanes--Remote Control Model Airplanes that is. Richard’s other hobbies include playing Xbox, bowling, martial arts and extreme skiing, of course. In the winter months, he is a part-time ski instructor at Squaw Valley USA.

You can't beat Richard's classes for learning West Coast Swing!