Washington Chim
Washington was born in none other than Seattle, Washington; who would’ve guessed? With rhythm in his bones and beats in his soul, music and movement have been a lifelong companion. But it wasn’t until 2012 that “partnership dancing” officially stepped onto the scene. (And no, it did not have an expiration date like the movie!)
Drawn to the elegance of ballroom and the expressive flow of smooth styles, Washington sees dance not just as steps, but as storytelling through motion. Inspired by nature, he likens his movement to the swift agility of a hummingbird and the effortless glide of a sea lion underwater; grace, precision, and fluidity all in one. Whether it’s a tango or a foxtrot, he brings the spirit of flight and flow to every floor he graces.
His favorite dances? All of them. Truly. From cha-cha to waltz, he thrives on the ability to switch styles like flipping a switch, bringing joy to the brain and to the ballroom. In his words, “The basic and a few moves is all you need to groove and let loose!” With a dance vocabulary that speaks many styles, he loves the freedom of dancing with anyone, anywhere, anytime. Why be a one-trick pony when the whole dance world is your stage?
When it comes to students, Washington welcomes all, but has a soft spot for beginners. He vividly remembers the nerves of walking into a dance studio for the first time, and his mission is to make dancing feel as natural as smiling. His superpower? Breaking down complex steps into simple, joyful victories. For him, teaching is not just about footwork, it’s about empowering others to silence that little voice that says “you’ll look silly” and replacing it with one that shouts “look at you go!”
Advanced students keep him in shape (seriously, they’re like his gym trainers), but new dancers keep his heart full. Watching weekly progress, sharing laughs, and celebrating breakthroughs; those are the moments he lives for. And thanks to dance, his musical world has expanded far beyond what he ever expected. Some songs are now daily favorites, simply because of the power of movement paired with music.
His motto? “One dance a day keeps your dance doctor from yelling at you.” Consider yourself warned and invited to join the party.
Achievements:
- 2019 Seattle DORA: 1st Place Top Teacher and 1st place Most Entrees(583)
- 2016: Winners Circle: #3 overall Instructor in World
- 2015 – 2023: Top 20% Instuctors Worldwide
Fun Facts
- Yes, he is in fact Washington from Washington in case you needed to confirm. Feel free to ask him anything!
- Your first dance. The CHA CHA. Music, please! There’s nothing a good boogaloo beat can’t fix—and Washington knows it. The cha cha’s rhythm is downright contagious, making it his favorite for a reason. It doesn’t just get your feet moving; it sneaks into your soul and rewires your heartbeat. From funky 1970s classics to fresh modern tracks, if it’s got that cha cha groove, you better believe Washington is dancing. Always.Because really—how can you not smile when great cha cha music is playing in the background?But the real fun begins once those basic steps are under your belt. That’s when Washington lights up. Watching dancers let go, get creative, and move like nobody’s watching? That’s when he knows: they’re not just doing the cha cha—they’re dancing.
- Washington has been dancing seriously for 10 of 13. Years! It makes him feel like a rare sports card.