Jeff Allen is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island who has been self-employed since 1972.  Jeff’s interest in Social & Ballroom Dancing began in 1960 with social dance classes in the Providence, RI area.  Barely a teenager, he attended social dances at schools and community centers with the much, “older kids.”  At that time, he danced Lindy, Jitterbug, Cha-cha, and Twist in dance contests.  “We watched the Jitterbug fade on American Bandstand and then danced to dozens more with the names of insects and creatures.  By the late 70’s, Jeff’s interest in competitive dancing began to consume all of his free time.  At that time, Disco dancing and Disco nightclub competition were the main thrusts of his dance activity.  These dance competitions were held all over the New England and New York areas where Jeff won thousands of dollars competing.  The Disco craze soon subsided and competitive Ballroom, Latin, & Swing Dancing piqued Jeff’s interest.  He began competing in national and international dance competitions.  Jeff turned professional in July of 1984 after winning the Gold closed level at the North American Championships.  In that same year, Jeff began traveling to Montreal, Quebec, a Mecca of Ballroom Dancing, for teacher training and competitive dancing.  This journey continued every four weeks for three and one half years.  Jeff finished in 4^th place in the Canadian Provincial Basic & Standard Professional Latin Championships, won the New England Professional American Smooth Championships, finished 2^nd in the Rising Star Closed Latin North American Championships.  Two separate times at the Eastern United States Championships, in both the Professional Open American Smooth and Professional Open International Latin Divisions, Jeff was a finalist.  His interest in Argentine Tango developed when training in Montreal during 1986.  Fascinated by this form of Tango, he took a bold step and added elements of the Argentine style to his professional American Tango choreography.  Today all top competitors in the American Smooth divisions use Argentine Tango to add drama to the American style.  Jeff’s greatest pride is the more than 30 Top Teacher Awards he has won and having kept his position consistently in the list of the Top 75 teachers in North America.  This was done while competing Professionally and performing an average of more than one show per week.

In March, 2000 Mr. Allen began as a columnist for Dancing USA magazine. The articles appear in the feature heading called "The Dance Lesson."  Michael Fitzmaurice, Publisher/Editor of Dancing USA magazine, writes in the Editor’s Note of the April/May 2000 issue:   

“A new addition to the Dancing USA family is Jeff Allen, the author of the hugely successful Quickstart to Dance series.  Jeff possesses an encyclopedic mastery of dance technique, the ability to teach like your favorite professor and the skill to write like the best selling author he is.  He has generously agreed to become a featured columnist focusing on dance fundamentals.  One thing is for certain: Jeff makes people better dancers and has the awards to prove it.”

Jeff holds Membership credentials with the North American Dance Teachers Association and the Pan-American Teachers Association.  He also holds Associate credentials with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance.  In addition to this text, Jeff has completed the 2^nd edition of Quickstart to Social Dancing ©, Quickstart to Tango ©, The Complete Guide to Slow Dancing, and is completing the 4^th of eleven books in the Quickstart Series, called Quickstart to Social Dancing, The Comprehensive Edition ©.  Jeff Allen is available for coaching and judging as he continues to offer the highest standard in teaching beginner and advanced students including teachers and professional performers. 

Mr. Allen is available to answer any of your questions regarding his books or articles.