West Coast Swing Class

Walter “Bear” Hartell, began dancing at the age of 3 learning Tap, Ballet and Jazz. At the age of 16, Bear was already teaching Tap, Ballet, and Jazz in his first dance studio (Hartell’s Dance Studio) in Brooklyn Center, MN. At the age of 18 he was the youngest male judge at the Minnesota Tap, Ballet, and Jazz Dance Competition. After earning his degree majoring in Theatre Arts and Speech, he began his career with the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the age of 24 Bear had passed the American Style Bronze, Silver, Gold and Supreme Gold Plus Theatre Arts and Exhibition certifications and became the Regional Dance Director and Adjudicator for the states of Washington, Nebraska, Canada, and Oregon. At the age of 26 Bear opened his first independent ballroom dance studio in the twin cities. Within a year he franchised it into a Fred Astaire Dance Studio. At the age of 28 Bear became the Area Franchisor for Fred Astaire Dance Studios for the State of Minnesota. By the time Bear was 30 he had 5 franchised Fred Astaire Dance Studios operating in Minnesota and was the President of 4 corporations.