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Founded in 1995 and 1996

BDC/IFDC has produced 25 Years

of Free Admission Weekly Dance Lessons

for Annual Club Members

with professional dance instructors.

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Large Scale Dance Parties, since 1997.

Everyone Welcome!

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BDCIFDC & Historical BDC

have presented professional bands

(swing-salsa-1920s-vintage-cultural),

since 1998,

led by

Francisco Aguabella (drummer) salsa
Susie Hansen (violinist) salsa

Oswaldo Bernard (Opa Opa) (trumpeter) salsa

Pablo Mendez (violinist) salsa

Dennis Kaye Swing Inc. (saxaphone/clarinet) swing

Bill Elliot (conductor) swing

Tom Bozigian (keyboard/drums) Armenian

Mikal Sandoval (Time Travelers) (singer) 1920s

Dutch Newman (Musical Melodians) (singer/guitar) 1920s

Cornelius (bass) 1950s Rock & Roll

Burt (guitar) 1950s Rock & Roll

string quartets (Royce/Amarus), ethnic bands...

 

Spring 2019 Jane Austen Ball

w/HBDC feat. Moniker Brass,

and several a cappella groups

​

,

We have two full time instructors, James and Cynthia (founding/past presidents) who have generously donated their services for 25 and 22 years respectively. As Co-Directors (and members of the Executive Board) they have encouraged 10+ professional dance teachers, to also volunteer their services, helping make our dance lessons affordable.

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Each year they work with the senior club officers to mentor a new generation of students officers to experience the excitement of producing large scale dance parties (Swing-Salsa-Tango-Waltz-Ballroom) at the UCLA Student Union Buildings (Kerckhoff/Ackerman), Powell Lib. 2nd Floor Rotunda & Westside JCC Aud.

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    60,000+ Bruins have enjoyed the dance lessons and parties presented by BDC/IFDC since 1995. (actually club stopped counting 10+ years ago)

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Through a focused effort on fundraising, club officers bring to campus professional bands & guest techers. Club Members also enjoy complimentary refreshments at many of the club dance parties and culture nights.

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2017=2018, 2018-2019

feat. 12-14 professional bands per year

15+ Guest Teachers

Several A Cappella Groups

Several Guest Spekers/Presentations

    

    Club History

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    Weekly Dance Lessons with BDC began Fall Quarter 1996; with IFDC Fall Quarter 1995 at Sproul Hall Dormitory (Thursday Nights) and Friday afternoons on the grass (where the Bruin Bear is now situated) when James (UCLA student/dance enthusiast and teacher) re-established the clubs on campus with 5 hours of free dance lessons per week and donated approx. $1000 the first year for the club meetings' refreshments, Daily Bruin Advertisements and flyers. James, having gained experience producing annual culture (talent) nights for organizations at UCLA since 1991 and being a member of the ORL/OCHC Arts Council/Committee and Arts Theme Housing on campus arranged for these organizations to sponsor the dance clubs for ten years, while focusing his efforts in rebuilding the dance clubs on campus, and arranging fun field trips to professional Tango Shows, festivals, and local folk dances evenings...guidance by the chair and co-chair of the UCLA Dance Dept. encouraged James to donate weekly dance lessons for first 10 years of BDC/IFDC meetings.

    Spring 1997, James (also a proud second generation Bruin, Alumni Scholar and president of the UCLA Transfer Student Association), founder and full time instructor of both BDC and IFDC, volunteered to expand club meetings to 4 nights per week (14 Hours weekly of Free Lessons for Club Members), under the guidance of the UCLA Dance Dept. Chair and Co-Chair) of free dances lessons at the UCLA Student Union: Mon/Tue/Thur Nights at Ackerman A-Level Lobby and near Kerckhoff Coffee House Wednesdays (followed by the weekly dance field trip).

    A big step forward: Oct. 1997 James negotiated a long term contract to rent a large room (weekly) from ASUCLA, the Ackerman 2nd Floor Lounge-2414 (later called the Bruin Reception Room) and alternate location the UCLA Kerckhoff Hall C.E.Y Grand Salon. Club leader's focus on publicizing the club, resulted in clubs' first event with 200+ participants, next door at Ackerman-AGB (featuring Argentine Tango Lessons: The 10th Annual New Student Welcome co-sponsored with UCLA Transfer Student Association). Welcome/Tango Party was featured in the Daily Bruin Newspaper.

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The next challenge was raising several thousand dollars per year, to pay ASUCLA for the weekly room rentals and Daily Bruin for advertisements, plus refreshments/supplies and reimbursement for campus parking for instructors (that fortunately did volunteer their services). Note: at this time independent registered student groups at UCLA were not eligible for programming funding; only about 20 organizations (Student Advocacy Groups) received USAC Funding.

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Also note: BDC/IFDC has never charged admission to a club event in its 23 years (920 Weeks of dance lessons) and special parties, but instead welcomes donations, and annual/quarterly memberships to help cover club expenses. While prior to our clubs, according UCLA Alumni, other dance clubs at UCLA did charge admission, with approx. $5 for folk dancing (since 1983) and social/ballroom dancing approx. $5 (since 1963). Folk Dance Club at UCLA was originally established at UCLA  in 1946, but re-established with weekly lessons in 1995 with James.

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    Fall 1997, James established the Historical Ballroom Dance Club at UCLA presenting two Jane Austen period dance workshops during first school year. Eventually HBDC expanded to 12-13 Saturday Night Theme Dances per year with many vintage dance workshops being held in UCLA Powell Library 2nd Floor Rotunda with the support of UCLA Librarian Catherine Brown. After Librarian Brown retired, HBDC Saturday Theme Dances were moved to KGS/Ackerman-AGB or Bruin Reception Room. In Nov. 2018 UCLA provided Pauley Pavilion for 18th Annual Waltz Night at UCLA.

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    Oct. 1998 and 1999 (New Student Welcome Events at Ack-AGB) featured live Swing Music and were the clubs' largest parties to date (800 and 600 respectively). Professional Swing Bands included Swing Inc. Directed by Dennis Kaye, and the 20 piece Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra with special guest singer/actor, John Lithgow. As Student Presidents have been more focused on fundraising, BDC/IFDC has brought to campus Swing Inc. to perform Swing Music, 3-4X per year for campus Swing Dance Parties

    Cynthia (BDC/IFDC 1998-1999 President) worked with James on Historical BDC's first theme dances, April and June 1998, which featured Jane Austen period ballroom dance lessons with special guest, Mr. John Hertz from organization, Friends of the English Regency.

    Fall Quarter 1999, Cynthia became Co-Director/Co-Instructor of BDC/IFDC, generously donating her time, the next 20 years to provide weekly professional dance instruction (at Monday Night Club Meetings) and many hours of volunteer assistance to club presidents/officers as a member of the clubs' Executive Board at the weekly Officer Meetings (Wednesday Nights).

    In addition to the regular recuring Culture Nights featuring special guest dance teachers and performing groups including Chinese Folk Dance Troupe, Chinese Cultural Dance Club, Hawaii Club of UCLA, Nashaa Hindi Film/TV Dance Club for Indian Bollywood style, Redondo Union High School Salsa Troupe, LASA Salsa/Merengue/Latin Styling Groups, Grupo Folklorico de UCLA, we have enjoyed performances by members of the Lebanese Social Dance Club, Armenian Dance Group of UCLA, 3 professional belly dancers, Bulgarian, Irish/Scottish/Italian Dancers/Teachers, Contra/Square Dance/Cajun Zydeco Dance Teachers, Hawaiian Club, Daiko Taiko (Japanese Drumming Workshop)...

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    Oct. 2001, the clubs switched to salsa music for the annual New Student Welcome Party. Continuing for 9 amazing years of Live Salsa Music featuring legendary Cuban Drummer/UCLA Ethnomusicology Professor, Francisco Aguabella and his Latin Jazz Band. The tenth year salsa party was switched from Fall to Winter Quarter as a tribute to Mr. Aguabella. (salsa parties expanded to 450 participants and became fundraisers for Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, part of Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA. In addition the club presented 4 annual off campus salsa parties during Winter Quarter (2007-2010) at Westside JCC with Mr. Aguabella and his Latin Jazz Band, and helped produce two free salsa concerts at the Santa Monica College Clocktower. The Fall Quarter Salsa Party has continued featuring popular Latin Band, Opa Opa 4-5 years. In Fall Quarters 2017 and since 2018 club presented the popular Susie Hansen Latin Band, (Susie had already performed many years fo the Winter Quarter Salsa Party at UCLA, each March)

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    In 2002, Historical Ballroom Dance Club's Theme Dances were moved from UCLA Student Union and UCLA URC Buildings to the beautiful UCLA Powell College Library Rotunda. Within a couple years, (the club officers of BDC/IFDC with the support of instructors, James and Cynthia (and supportive UCLA Professor/staff) expanded HBDC events to monthly vintage dance workshops, covering 500 years of social dance history. BDC/IFDC Annual Members are subsidized to attend all theme dances and enjoy priority RSVP. The Clubs' Fall Quarter Semi-Formal became the official Waltz Night at UCLA (each November at Powell Library).

    Since 2001, the Dance Clubs regularly celebrate the anniversary of UCLA Buildings: Kerckhoff Hall (January), Ackerman Student Union (April), Powell Library.

     Fall Quarter 2011, the End of the Quarter Swing Dance Party (USA Culture Night) became a fundraiser for UCLA Mortar Board Scholarships. Fall 2012 Swing Dance Party enjoyed participation of approx. 175 Bruins. WOW!

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In 2016 and 2017 Club Programs began including student led Rock & Roll 1950s Music Band in Oct with Halloween Theme & in  Feb. w/HBDC for Back to the Future 1950s Theme, and several a cappella singng groups, Spring 2018 featured first Japanese Drumming Workshop.

With the graduation of 1950s Band Leader, Cornelius, since Fall 2018 1950s Parties feature Burt's Band. HBDC collaborations with MIST (Magic and Illusion Student Team) and Quidditch Team members helped transform Presidents Ball, starting March 2017 into at 1920s Fantastic Beasts Theme event with 1920s Dance workshops and annual Magic Show feat. student magicians of MIST.

Fall 2017 Susie Hansen Latin Band replaced Opa Opa for Fall Salsa Party. Fall 2018 Salsa Party moved from Oct. to November (Week 8).

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    BDC/IFDC Activities and Member Benefits have expanded over the years to include 7 Quarterly Swing and Salsa Parties with live music with popular Latin bands (Opa Opa, Susie Hansen Latin Band, Pablo Mendez Latin Band), 20 regularly scheduled Culture Nights (Mondays at 9pm) featuring world famous teachers (Tom Bozigian-Armenian, Athan Karras-Greek, William Harvey-Swedish, Josie-Belly Dance/Persian Dance, Jame Hutson-Contra Dance) and instructors from other culture/ethnic based student groups at UCLA. Club Members enjoy 13 Saturday Night Theme Dances per year (which include live music, special guest speakers/performers) and opportunity to celebrate costuming. The Ragtime/1920s Ball at UCLA, Waltz Night at UCLA, Italian Renaissance Ball at UCLA...Jane Austen Ball at UCLA (are usually at the beautiful UCLA Powell College Library 2nd Floor Rotunda) with other theme dances moved to the UCLA Kerckhoff Hall Grand Salon. During Spring Quarter 2015 regular guest performing groups at Feb. Renaissance Theme Dance (Shakespeare Club of UCLA, and Kron historical martial arts began also presenting their talents at annual Jane Austen Ball. HBDC Waltz Night after a few years at Ackerman Grand Ballroom was moved to Pauley Pavilion Nov. 2018.

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    Club Members regularly enjoy field trips to off campus dances, concerts, movies, festivals. Club leaders arrange reduced or free admission for annual membership card holders ($5 off at the world famous Cicada Club, Downtown L.A.) and compile lists and arrange carpooling to hundreds of free events throughout S. California. Club members are invited to attend the Annual Sunday Brunches (Chinese Dim Sum Aug/Oct) and After-Club Field Trips to the Bel Air Hotel Piano Lounge (March/August).

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Several times per year, Club Members/Officers go to various restaurants in Westwood/West L.A. (following the club's swing and salsa parties). Including Cafe 50s, New Japan Sushi, Norms, Dennys, BJs Pizza). For many years club leaders arranged complimentary ice-creams or sodas at Kerckhoff Coffee House for current Annual Members.

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Club Members also enjoyed 3 weekends of complementary admission to the Vintage Fashion Expo (when it was in Santa Monica Civic Center 7 years, and then briefly when it moved Fall 2013 to L.A. Convention Center) to enjoy a variety of ballroom dance styles at Tea Dances (afternoon lessons).

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Club members benefit from carpooling to Santa Barbara for 10+ years of performance opportunities and social dancing at the Santa Barbara French Festival (Bastille Dance Weekend) and at various festivals and retirement homes.

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Club instructors provided free dance lessons at many community friendly events (field trips) for swing-salsa=social-vintage dance lessons at the Cicada Club (Downtown , L.A.), Annenberg Santa Monica Beach House on PCH, Sherman Oaks Galleria (3 Summers of Weekly Swing/Salsa Concerts), Howard Hughes Promenade (3 Summers of select Swing/Salsa Concerts), 3 Dance Downtown Friday Evenings on the Plaza of the Music Center...Weekly Lessons at Westwood Farmer's Market...and at numerous Retirement Homes and programs for Senior Citizens. Club instructors have also provided dance lessons at several other colleges, high schools, Jr. High and Elementary Schools. and occassionally for the little ones (in Nursery School).

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Past Officers 

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2017-2018 BDC/IFDC Officers

Ashley (President) & Summer 2017

Gurpreet Lally- Vice President

Jessica-Officer

Julian-WebMaster/Publicity

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Dance Club Coalition

2017-2018

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Social Dance Club
Gurpreet Lally (President)
Julian (VP)
Umberto (Officer)

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Global Dance Club

Julian (President)

Karina (VP)

Bridget (Officer)

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Historical Ballroom Dance Club

Ashley Gan (President)

Rachel (VP)

Bridget (Secretary)

Olivia (Publicity Dir./Past President)

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2016-2017 BDC/IFDC Officers

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Phoebe (President)

Jasmine (Vice-Pres.)
Taylor (Officer)

James (Co-Director/Founding President 1995-1997)

Cynthia (Co-Director/President 1998-1999)

Dance Club Coalition

2016-2017

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Social Dance Club
Selena (President)
Manoj (VP)
Umberto (Officer)

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Global Dance Club

Karina (President)

William (VP)

Bridget (Officer)

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Historical Ballroom Dance Club

Ashley (President)

Joanna (VP)

Bridget (Secretary)

Olivia (Publicity Dir.)

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SMC BDC/IFDC

Suhey (President)

Dulce (VP)

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2015-2016 Officers (Executive Board)

Phoebe (President, Winter 2016-Present Undergraduate Student)

Bryant (Fall 2015 President; winter/Spring 2016 Signatory Undergraduate Student)

Manoj (Vice-President Graduate Student)

William (Officer, Undergraduate Student)

Cynthia (Past President 1998-99; Co-Director; Instructor 1999-Present)

James (Founding President 1995-1997; Dir. 1995-99; Co-Dir. 1999-Present; Instructor 1995-Present)

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Dance Club Coalition Officers 2015-2016:

Bryant Villegas (President, BDC/IFDC; VP Social DC)

Manoj (President, Social Dance Club)

William (President, Global Dance Club)

Karina (Vice-President, Global Dance Club)

Olivia (President, Historical Ballroom Dance Club)

Joanna (Vice-President, Historical Ballroom Dance Club)

Bridget (Officer, HBDC and GDC)

Umberto (Officer, Social Dance Club)

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BDC/IFDC History of Club Officers

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BDC/IFDC Club Officers 2014-15

Bryant Villegas President Winter 2015-Summer 2016, Signatory Fall 2014 (Undergrad)

Cuzak President Oct/Fall 2014 (Undergrad)

Leah Vice-President (Undergrad)

Edward Officer Winter/Spring 2015 (Graduate Student)

Cynthia (Past President 1998-99; Co-Director; Instructor 1999-Present)

James (Founding President 1995-1997; Director 1995-99; Co-Director 1999-Present; Instructor 1995-Present)

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Dance Club Coalition Officers 2014-2015

Bryant Villegas (President, BDC/IFDC Undergraduate)

Hui Ting Kok (President, Social Dance Club Undergraduate)

Sean Lance (Vice-President, Social Dance Club Graduate Student)

William (President, Global Dance Club Undergraduate)

Olivia (President, Historical Ballroom Dance Club Undergraduate)

Joanna (Vice-President, Historical Ballroom Dance Club Undergraduate)

Bridget (Officer, HBDC and GDC, Staff)

Sean Lance (Officer, GDC Graduate Student)

Edward (Officer, BDC/IFDC Undergraduate)

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BDC/IFDC Club Officers 2013-14

Inna Pinkhasova President (Undergrad) and VP Social DC

Linton Zhongshu Wang Vice-President (Undergrad) and President of Historical BDC

Officer 3

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Dance Club Coalition 2013-14

Jessica, President Social Dance Club (Undergraduate)

Angel Iek Hou Zhang, President Global Dance Club (Undergraduate)

Linton Zhongshu Wang, President Historical BDC (Undergraduate)

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BDC/IFDC Club Officers 2012-13

Sarah Guernsey President (Undergrad) and President Historical BDC

Sam Neff Vice-President (Undergrad)

Officer 3 ( )

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Dance Club Coalition 2012-13

Angel Iek Hou Zhang, President Global Dance Club (Undergrad)

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BDC/IFDC Club Officers 2011-12

Misha Agunos, President (Undergrad)

Sam Neff, Vice-President (Undergrad)

Anna L. d'Entremont, Officer (Grad Student) and President Historical BDC

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BDCIFDC Club Officers 2010-11

Misha Agunos, President (Undergrad)

Sam Neff, Vice-President (Undergrad)

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Club Officers 2009-10

Josie, President (Undergrad)

Kency Nittler, Vice-President (Undergrad)

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Club Officers 2008-9
Chris Eisert
President 2008-9
President/Signatory Summer 2008
Annual Member/Volunteer 2008
Graduate Student

Kency Nittler
Vice-President Undergrad 2008-9
Annual Member/Volunteer 2007-8

Christos (Tsiokos?) (Signatory Fall/Winter Quarter)
Vice President
Graduate Student 2008-9
Annual Member/Volunteer
Summer Qtr. 2008 Member
Graduate Student

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Josie (Undergrad) Signatory #3 Spring Quarter 2009 (taking the place of Christos)

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Officers 2007-8

Sarah Wen
Immediate Past President 2007-8
Room Reservations 2008-9
Funding 2007-9
Officer Summer 2007
Annual Member 2006-7
Undergraduate
Signatory until Oct. 2008

Song Zheng
Vice-President 2007-8
Annual Member 2007-8
Member Spring and Summer 2007
Undergraduate

Pascal Getreuer Signatory 2007-8
Room Reservations 2007-8
Annual Member 2007
Graduate Student

Officers 2007

Pascal Getreuer
Signatory and President Summer 2007
Annual Member 2007
Graduate Student

Sarah Wen
Officer Summer 2007
Annual Member 2006-7
Undergraduate

Claire Moore-Cantwell
Signatory
Summer 2007
Undergraduate

Officers 2006-7

Mary Collins
Co-President/Signatory
2006-7
Reservations Fall/Winter 2007
Officer Spring and Summer Qtr. 2006
Member of Performing D. Group 2005-7
Annual Member 2005-7
Undergraduate

Submitted Club Constitution Jan. 12, 2007

Claire Moore-Cantwell
Co-President/Signatory
2006-7
Reservations Spring/Summer 2007
Officer Spring and Summer Qtr. 2006
Member of Performing D. Group 2005-7
Annual Member 2005-7
Undergraduate

Submitted Club Constitution Jan. 12, 2007

Antonios Kouroutakis
Signatory 2006-7
International Graduate Student (Law)

Fernando Magno Quintao Pereira
Officer Spring/Summer Qtr. 2006
Special Event Publicity
Annual Member 2005-7
International Graduate Student (Computer Science)

Guest Teacher of Braziian Dance Forro 2014?

Danae
Liason to Worldfest Committee
Undergraduate

2005-6

Juan Torres Jr.
President
Primary Signatory Spring Quarter 2006
Graduate Student

Worked on Club Constitution with six current/past presidents submitted 1/12/2007

Richard Hilman
President and Primary Signatory
Fall 2005 - Winter 2006
Signatory: Summer Quarter 2005
Undergraduate and Graduate Student

Worked on Club Constitution with six current/past presidents submitted 1/12/2007

Daniel Kotin
Vice President: 2005-2006
Internal Club Advisor: 2004-2005
Past President: 2003-2004
Graduate Student

Worked on Club Constitution with six current/past presidents submitted 1/12/2007

Chris
Signatory: 2005-6
Annual Member 2004-2005
Graduate Student

2004-5

G.A. Wiggan
President/Primary Signatory
Student in Charge
Summer 2005
2004-2005
Summer 2004
Graduate Student Mathematics

Worked on Club Constitution with six current/past presidents submitted 1/12/2007

2003-4

Daniel Kotin
BDC President 2003-2004
Graduate Student Political Science

Worked on Club Constitution with six current/past presidents submitted 1/12/2007

Rose Vardui B.
IFDC President 2003-2004
Culture Nights Publicity and
Guest Armenian Dance Teacher
Undergraduate and Graduate Student

2002-3

David Lavi
BDC/IFDC President 2002-2003
Undergraduate

Yanni E.
Vice President 2002-2003
Undergraduate?

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1999-2000

Galina
BDC/IFDC Signatory 1999-2000
Undergraduate

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1998-99

Cynthia
BDC/IFDC President 1998-1999
Member since Winter 1998
Staff Person

Instructor/Co-Dance Director 1999-Present

UCLA Guest Lecturer for 5 Academic Classes

Worked on Club Constitution with six current/past presidents submitted 1/12/2007

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1997-98

Tannaz
BDC/IFDC Signatory 1997-1998
Undergraduate

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1995-97

James Zimmer
Founding President
Ballroom Dance Club at UCLA 1996-1997

Founding President

International Folk Dance Club at UCLA 1995-1997
Undergraduate

Instructor/Dance Director 1995-1999

Instructor/Co-Dance Director 1999-Present
UCLA Guest Lecturer for 5 Academic Classes

Worked on Club Constitution with six current/past presidents submitted 1/12/2007

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