What is Passing The Mic?
Passing The Mic is the continuation of the mentorship program created and originally run at All Star SwingJam, starting in 2022. This program is creating opportunities for West Coast Swing community members of all dance levels to try their hand at MC-ing, DJ-ing, and judging at a full-weekend West Coast Swing dance event. With the closure of All Star SwingJam in 2026, the mentorship program needed a way to expand into the greater West Coast Swing world.
My name is Chris Low and I am both the creator of Passing The Mic and the mentor for the MC apprentices. I have been MC-ing since 2019 and have mentored multiple apprentice MCs as part of the All Star SwingJam apprenticeship program, all of whom have continued their MC careers and have been hired for MC positions at local and/or full-weekend West Coast Swing events. As the creator of Passing The Mic, my goal is to continue providing the opportunities that were offered at All Star SwingJam to be offered at other West Coast Swing dance events, allowing for more exposure to talented individuals who may not have the resources needed to grow their skills.
The goal of the program is to train and provide exposure to new talented individuals in real-world WCS event environments where they can get hands-on experience with guided mentorship in their respective roles. The application, mentorship, and assignment processes will include:
An anonymized application process where all mentors will be able to make unbiased selections from a pool of applicants based on their skills, goals, and experience
Interviews with the short-listed applicants to make final apprentice selections
Pre-event, mid-event, and post-event trainings between mentors and mentees
Real-world event assignments in their respective roles, with guided mentorship, at full-weekend West Coast Swing events
There are no level requirements for the apprentice program, and current WSDC level is not a factor in considering applicants. Acceptance of an apprenticeship position does not remove the option to join in other happenings at the event. Schedules will be adjusted so that apprenticeship assignments do not conflict with the competitions and workshops the applicants want to participate in.
My hope is to create space and opportunities for the next generation of West Coast Swing MCs, DJs, and judges because our community will only continue to grow in size and quality when it invests in those who are passionate and wanting to make it as wonderful as it can be.