Krystal & Austin

Krystal Bravo grew up in Central Islip, NY where Carolina Shag dancing was non-existent.  Her family moved to North Carolina five years ago where she learned her very first shag basic from Jason and Holly Cagle.  From that point on, it has been hard to keep Krystal off the dance floor. She is currently a student at East Carolina University, with a major in dance education and a minor in business.  From her passionate love of dance, came great opportunities both competitively and socially. She danced on the first annual Junior Shag Dance Team and the next year was a member of the National Shag Dance Team.  She’s had the privilege to perform at the U.S Open, National Shag Dance Championships, Grand Nationals, Liberty Swing Dance Championships, and danced on Good Morning America!

Austin Pope began his dancing career at the age of 4 when he was going to country/western line dancing clubs. By age 5 he was doing the electric slide! Him and his grandfather were what he called two peas in a pod and whenever he learned a new dance step he always showed his grandfather first. Austin first learned to shag when he was eight years old. A few weeks before his grandfather passed away in April of '06 he taught him the basic steps of shag. When he passed away Austin started taking shag lessons from such great names as AC and Cathy Williams as well as Sam West. Shagging has become a huge part of his life and is also a great way to remember his grandfather and the way they used to spend Saturday nights together.  Now he is excited to carry on shaggin’ as a member on the Junior Team!