John Tenaglia

It’s a bouncing baby boy!!

Born in 2002, to the proud parents of Scott Cupit and Claudia Funder, John Tenaglia is the later addition to the Swing Patrol Teaching Family. John’s swing conception began about sixteen months ago, when he heard a irritating hum that resembled a big band sound along the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River. Typically, with his nose in everybody’s business, he investigated and found "…a bunch of really young people jumping around to some really old music!"

After watching in amazement for at least ten tracks, in the hope that none of the boys from the footy club would see him, John slowly edged around the make shift dance floor, picked up his jaw and grabbed a pamphlet. Three days later John arrived to his first Swing Patrol dance class.

Amazingly, John’s full time profession isn’t swing dancing, he is a fully qualified Structural Engineer. "My professional position is extremely challenging, and in most instances quite serious. What I’ve found is that swing dancing is a great release of the stress built through a vigorous day at the office." John’s hobbies and interests cover a broad spectrum. A Victorian Cricket representative and single handicap golfer are just a couple of feathers in John’s cap.

John has quietly adapted his own style of dancing by working hard on the basic and fundamental steps of swing. His commitment in the first year didn’t stretch to more than one beginner plus class a week. To his credit, John bided his time, and soon after impressed both his peers and dance partners by making a quiet entry into the social scene. Unfortunately, that would be the last time John would be quiet within the swing circle. If you ever want to know whether John is around, head towards the noisy part of the dance floor, you will most likely find John there enjoying himself to the fine tunes of Count Basie or the pearly voice of Ella Fitzgerald.

It's been a pleasure to have John as part of the teaching team since 2002. His energy, enthusiasm and approachable persona are qualities that make John uniquely different.

"I’d love to dance with anyone at anytime. The music and the people are the reasons why it’s so much fun. I’m a strong believer of it’s not how much or little you know, but how much fun your willing to have. So please, if I don’t get in before you, ask me to dance so we can ham it up a little!."