YOUR OWNERS
Daniel McGee
Jameson Kilburn
Daniel is the founder and co-owner of Top Hat Dance Studio located in Philadelphia, PA. Since its grand opening in 1995, the strength of Top Hat Dance Studio has been attributed to his abilities, both as a dancer and an instructor. For over 30 years, Daniel has continued to teach, perform and compete in the Hustle, Ballroom, and Latin, dance forms. During his competitive career, he was one of the top-ranked hustle competitors in the country and undefeated in the Pro/Am Theatre Arts Hustle division. Daniel and his partner Ginny Carey are two-time World Hustle Champions. They first won this title at the International Hustle and Salsa Competition in Orlando, Florida in April 2011 and then again in April 2012.
Daniel served as Treasurer on the board of the International Hustle Dance Association (IHDA) for 8 years and then as President of the IHDA for the 2010-2014 term. During his tenure as President, Daniel implemented numerous policies and procedures to help strengthen and grow the Hustle Community while also bolstering the Competitive Event Circuit. In 2010, Daniel partnered with Jameson Kilburn and Billy Fajardo as owners of the Puerto Rico Latin Hustle Dance Competition held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Today, Daniel is one of the most sought-after Professionals, Judges, Coaches and Instructors in the Hustle Industry. Daniel has been instrumental in the cultivation and development of many up-and-coming hustle professionals and communities throughout the US and abroad. As he travels extensively around the US, Canada and Europe, he shares his expansive knowledge of the dance by educating communities on proper techniques and assisting them in reaching their dance goals.
Back at home, Daniel works tirelessly on developing programs in the studio for niche members of our community. At Top Hat Dance Studio, there is a thriving Tantz Orthodox Jewish Girls Dance Program, a Special Needs Program, encompassing dance, art and music, and an LGBT+ program. For his work with the Special Needs Community, Daniel has received two awards: The Brighter Future Award, given by the City of Philadelphia, and the Golden Heart Award for Unsung Heroes in the Community.
With a score of "Highly Commended," Daniel received his Associate certification in International Standard by the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance) in 2007. Scoring “Honors", Daniel received his ISTD Licentiate Theatre Arts certification in 2008. Also, with "High Honors" Daniel received his Bronze Associate certification in Hustle from IHDA/DVIDA in 2009 and his Licentiate cerification shorlty thereafter. Daniel is also a member of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA).
Choreographic credits include: International Hustle and Salsa Competition 2006; Stephanie Sands presents...2000, 2001 and 2002; Hempfield High School Dance Theatre Program 2001, 2002 & 2008; "La Boutique Fantasque" at the Fulton Opera House; "Oklahoma", "The King and I"," Fiddler on the Roof", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Annie" and "Hello Dolly!" at Garden Spot High School; excerpts of Top Hat Dance Studio's "Spirit of Dance" 2003, 2004, and 2005; "Evita" 2005 and "Gypsy" 2006 at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center; excerpts of "Voices of Christmas" at Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA.
Jameson is co-owner of Top Hat Dance Studio of Philadelphia where he can be found teaching group classes and private lessons in Ballroom, Latin, Swing, & Hustle. For the past 15 years, Jameson has continued to study, teach, compete, and perform in the arena of professional partner dancing.
As a competitor, Jameson has been competing professionally in many different styles of dance for over 10 years. He, along with his partner Christy Kam, won first place in the World Hustle Championships of 2014 held at the Internation Hustle and Salsa Championships in Miami, Florida. He went on to win 1st Place in every major Hustle Division that he entered in 2014.
As a teacher, Jameson was awarded the IHDA Top Professional Instructor of 2013. He has been awarded Top Teacher at Disco America in Philadelphia, Pa and Swing Fling in Tyson's Corner, VA. Jameson received a score of "Highly Commended" on his certification examinations in the International Standard dancing in 2007 and also received a score of "with Honours" on his certification examination in Theater Arts in 2008 with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Jameson is proud to have been an active board member of the International Hustle Dance Association (IHDA) for 6 years. He can be seen at many different dance events throughout the country teaching, judging, performing, and competition. He is best known for the way in which he "de-mystifies" the technical side of partner dancing to make it obtainable by everyone.
Jameson's dance career started in the theater where he was featured as a dancer in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman', 'Anything Goes', 'La Cage aux Folles', and most recently 'Evita'. Jameson has since enjoyed choreographing for competitive routines, shows throughout Pennsylvania, as well as for 2008's installment of 'Dance Theater' in Hempfield, Pa. Jameson has placed in the Top 3 both in the Professional and Pro/Am divisions in numerous competitions; including the International Hustle & Salsa Competition, Mid-Atlantic Dance Jam, Big Easy Dance Classic, Dance Seattle, Philadelphia Festival Championships, North American Dance Championships, and the World Hustle Competition.
Jameson has always said, "Dance should be fun! And most importantly, it should be what you make of it". That statement can be seen in his approach to teaching, performing, and dancing in general. His greatest reward is helping a student achieve a goal; he views it as the best way of returning the favor to all of the wonderful coaches and teachers who have, and continue to help him, on this journey we call dance.
