West Slope Westies began in 2017 with a group of friends who shared a passion for west coast swing. As the community grew and developed, it was quickly realized this was something amazing and needed to be preserved for future generations of Durango dancers. This goal became a reality in 2022 when the West Slope Westies established nonprofit (501c3) status.
Through countless volunteer hours, the club provides affordable dance education and a safe space for community expression. Local instructors are unpaid volunteers who champion dancing for personal expression and overall wellbeing. In addition to spearheading multiple all-dance style community social dances throughout the year, the Westies also host the 4 Corners West Coast Weekend. This premier west coast event welcomes some the world’s highest ranking pro dancers to lead instructional workshops and open dance events. The Westies believe dance, in all its myriad forms and styles, has a unique power to cement enduring bonds across communities.
West Slope Westies operates The Durango Collective, our downtown home and community event space. The Collective supports our nonprofit mission by hosting Westies programming alongside aligned community events and rentals.
The WSW bylaws outline our full mission and detailed procedural policies.
View our 2023 Annual Report.
View our 2024 Annual Report.
View our 2025 Annual Report.
Meet the Team
President
Marty Saunders
Growing up self-conscious I told myself (and others) I can't dance, and some would argue that I still can't! As a challenge to myself and a recommendation from a friend I signed up for the Four Corners West Coast Weekend. The community was so welcoming and I had so much fun I have considered my self a Westie ever since. It completely changed my confidence and love for social dancing It changed my life ever!!
Vice President
Lorisha Ionno
Lorisha discovered West Coast Swing in 2023 and instantly fell in love with the dance. What started as a new hobby quickly became an obsession, and now she has the honor of helping others experience the joy of WCS. She often says that Wednesday night dancing is the “glimmer of her week”.
Treasurer
Autumn von Flotow
Autumn started social dancing in high school. Who knew an East Coast Swing class through the community college with a group of friends could spark a lifelong passion? Autumn later found her way into a ballroom and even competed...though you'll need a VCR to view the proof. When Autumn got to college, she found the local West Coast Swing community and was hooked! Autumn moved to Durango in 2015 and is honored to be a leader in its truly impressive local dance community.
Board Member
Trish Szekely
Bio coming up soon!
Board Member
Nolan King
If you ask Nolan his greatest passion in life, he would say it's sharing his love of dance with others and helping them experience the joy and healing that comes from it. He's ecstatic to be helping teach the West Slope Westies, because WCS is the embodiment of the gaiety he finds in dance. Nolan has been dancing since 2014, learning from world-renowned instructors and competing in west coast swing, latin, ballroom, and country-western styles. He has competed in the WCS Rising Stars Tour; has been a pro for the Pagosa Springs DWTS for five years (and is a 2× Mirrorball Trophy winner); was part of a WCS troupe intermission show for the Durango DWTS; is a co-owner of Legacy Dance in Cortez; and is heavily involved in as many local dance associations as possible.
Bio coming up soon!
Board Member
Amber VanHoutan
Amber has loved dance ever since she's been able to stand on her own 2 feet. From moving and shaking with her 1st steps she has dabbled teaching in ballet, tap, east coast swing and performing arts, she has also explored various other styles, including salsa, ballroom, tango, and belly dancing with Durango's Shimmy Mob. Her journey took an exciting turn when she encountered Nolan at a local dance. Captivated by the energy and connection of his movement she had to find out what it was and began taking West Coast Swing classes shortly after. She quickly fell in love with it and is committed to continuing her West Coast Swing journey and fostering a vibrant dance community! She finds great joy in sharing her love of dance with others and is eager to inspire everyone she meets through the art of movement.
Bio coming up soon!
Secretary
Manueala Ewing
Bio coming up soon!
Board Member
Matt Smolin
Bio coming up soon!
Board Member
Max Hurst
Bio coming up soon!