Meet Your 2027 Flockstars!

A dancer since the age of four, and with a family background of Ballroom and Latin Champions, Rachael, through her love of dance discovered and trained in many different forms of dance including Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Disco, Latin & Ballroom, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Hip-Hop, and of course, Line Dancing. Rachael’s success and ambition enabled her to start her first Line Dance Class at the youthful age of 15. The combination of drive, ambition, and an infectious personality  enabled Rachael to beat all industry downturns, her first class (prior to her move to the USA) was still being attended by more than 100 people each week.

With a determination to dance and travel, Rachael began competing in April 1999, her first competition being at the United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC) European Championships. After winning many British and European titles, Rachael’s continued drive and ambition saw her take home a Double World Championship title, in the Grand Classic and Showcase Line Dance divisions from the UCWDC Worlds 2000 held in Nashville, TN.

This propelled Rachael into the highest division offered in the UCWDC – the Superstar Division.  A division only eligible to dancers through qualification, the Superstar division is an unparalleled display of Line Dance.  In January 2001, Rachael returned to the UCWDC Worlds, held in Edmonton, Canada, and proceeded to take the Superstar World Championship title at her first attempt, solidifying her name and reputation as one of the most achieved Line Dancers in the world at the tender age of 19. 

Rachael’s success in the field of Line Dance was supplemented through her academic achievements. Rachael graduated from college in June 1999 with 10 GCSE’s, and A-Levels in French, German and Sports Studies, important subject matters that she dedicated herself to in order to invest further in her ambitions to travel and teach the mediums of dance. 

In 2002, as part of an exciting new venture, Rachael joined forces with leading industry personalities Pedro Machado, Rob Fowler, Paul McAdam, and established business woman and promoter Barbara Blake. Together they formed ‘Masters In Line’, a dance events company that specialized in competitive and social Line Dance events. 

As a director Rachael organized events, coordinated competitions, judged, performed, and scrutineered.  Masters in Line’s events were established all over the globe, including Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa as well as all across Europe.  Having traveled the world and invested the time to develop a successful organization, Rachael looked to pursue other interests in 2007 and made the difficult decision to retire as a Director of Masters In Line. The original company’s success and structure left a historical impact, framing the industry for future organizations.  Rachael now takes a leading consulting role in World Dance Masters, a new company in the dance event space, and continues to attend their biggest events as an emcee, performer, instructor and judge.

Throughout Rachael’s career she has made a conscious effort to ensure she passes her knowledge onto others… to date, Rachael has trained 42 World Champions from Newcomer through to the highest level, and from the youngest to the eldest competitors, in both UCWDC and World Dance Masters – an achievement she holds with modest dignity.

Through Line Dance Rachael has been fortunate to perform on National Television stations across Europe. She appeared on several news broadcasts on British Broadcasting Company (BBC) local news stations due to her competitive success at the World Championships and she was asked to perform with her students on the BBC’s famous appeal for Children in Need in 2002.  In 2006 Rachael was invited to teach and choreograph a group performance on BBC’s Strictly Dance Fever (a “So You Think You Can Dance” equivalent).

​Rachael’s dedication, ability, and drive led to continuous successful years in the Line Dance industry. However, in the last 10 years Rachael’s Line Dance career has hit the very top. Rachael continues to win awards internationally for her personality, choreography, and instruction ability; including twenty-four coveted Crystal Boot Awards.  Other achievements include winning another World Title at the 2013 UCWDC World Championships in Nashville Tennessee, this time at the highest level of couples “Masters Classic” with dance partner Albert Tailleur.  Then just a few weeks later at 2013 Crystal Boot Awards, Rachael was inducted in to the Line Dance HALL OF FAME, a moment she will never forget.

In 2012 Rachael left her childhood home with 3 suitcases to follow her dream of living in the USA.  She moved to Winter Garden, Florida  and with the help of friends, slowly settled into her new life.  She met her now-husband later that year and they were married in 2015.  All Rachael’s dreams became true with the birth of her son in 2018.

Though her schedule is now much lighter because of her commitment to her family, Rachael continues to be one of the most sought-after instructors in the industry. Her schedule is booked almost two years in advance and she is known internationally as a world-class performer, instructor, choreographer and educator of dance sport Her strong work ethic and extraordinary passion for dance and fitness has been proved over a twenty three year career, and her success in the field continues to thrive.

The year is 2010, the location: Charlotte, NC. Cody Flowers steps into a small nightclub, where his mom has introduced him to his first line dance class. He was immediately intrigued! "I've always been drawn to communities of people and love when I feel a sense of belonging. In that first line dance class, the sense of belonging was so strong that I just felt like that is where I was supposed to be."

Will Craig was the instructor of that class Cody started in and, through the years, has guided him through the dance journey he has been on. The next step on Cody's dance adventure was: choreography! Will encouraged Cody to step into choreography. Not only inspiring his creativity, but he also gave Cody the push and confidence to compete in the first ever United States Line Dance Choreography Champions (USLDCC.)

"I wrote my first dance because I heard a piece of music and just felt compelled to give it a try. I thought I would be absolutely terrible at it, but it ended up being a pretty good dance. Once others saw it, they encouraged me to submit choreography for the first ever USLDCC."

Cody won 1st place five times and 2nd place three times. Cody placed into the finals and won the USLCC Overall 2nd Place award with his beginner dance "Fantasy." Cody has also competed at the Windy City Line Dance Mania winning 2nd Place with his dance "Time of My Life."

During this journey, Cody started going to many line dance events, where he met others who have inspired and helped him grow into the choreographer and instructor that he is today. While helping lay floor at the first Big Bang Dance Classic, Cody met Jennifer Cameron, who later encouraged Cody to compete his choreography. She became an advocate and friend for Cody by being one of the first people to hire him for an event. She also helped introduce him to the Florida line dance community where he has called home since.

Jennifer introduced Cody to Carol Craven. Carol encouraged Cody to start a local class helping him to cultivate and grow it. She has been a true friend and has always lended a helping hand and advice when needed.

All adventures have twists and unexpected bends. This one includes a time where in-person events were halted and everything went digital for about a year. Cody had met Rachael McEnaney-White at Big Bang Dance Classic. But it wasn't until her Digital Dance Weekends started that their friendship grew. Cody volunteered to help with the back-end work for these digital events. Rachael has since been a mentor for Cody as he continues to grow as a choreographer and instructor.

Blessed with these fabulous mentors, inspirations and friends, among many others, it's not surprising Cody has blossomed into the choreographer, instructor and person he is today. With many powerful inspirations pushing him out of his comfort zone, he had developed into a vital part of our line dance community. A community where there's a feeling of belonging. Which is what Cody wants us all to feel when we attend one of his classes.

Some words about Jill from Dance with a Cure:

Jill Babinec is from Youngstown, Ohio and started country dancing in 1989. Dancing Line and 2 Step in a local country bar. She dabbled in teaching line and partners a bit before having to go off to further her degree in 1993, and in 1997 graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry with a DDS degree. So with dance shoes on one end and drill and forceps on the other end she is a force to be reckoned with (hehe). Oh yeah, and adding upon that her Martial Arts training in which she has received her black belt.

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Jill got familiar with the UCWDC dancing circuit around the year 2000 and in the past several years branched out djing mainly Line. Among those circuit dances and other big events, she has thoroughly enjoyed all the wonderful dancers she has met, taught, and played for along the way.

Her worldwide choreography collaborations include Jo Thompson Szymanski, Joey Warren & Will Craig, Judy McDonald, Joanne Brady, Junior Willis, Scott Schrank The Amatos, Juliet Hauser and Debi Pancoast, Rona Kaye & Rosie Multari. She has also choreographed a few by herself.

She received the DANCER OF THE YEAR award 2009 at the Las Vegas Dance Event in Nov. Favorite DJ at the Windy City Mania in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

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"Most of all (I) want to thank all the dancers for their love and friendships, support, and dance requests. For all the laughs on and off the dance floor, you are why I do what I do."

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Dance for a Cure is a line workshop and dance benefit for breast cancer research. Organized by Jill Babinec and Julie Ellis, the event continues to draw dancers from all over the United States and Canada.  This delightful event has been blessed with friendly dancers, internationally known choreographers, over-the-top entertainment, Julie’s delicious lunch and of course Jill’s personal and professional talents.
http://www.dance4acure.org/

Gerard hails from Nova Scotia, Canada where he lives with his wife Susan. He has been involved in dance for over 25 years and grew up in Newfoundland where he was always surrounded by Irish music and dancing! 

He is excited to bring his new initiative - PRESENCE MATTERS - to Palm Springs Winter Break! This initiative is to help line dance instructors level-up their connection, charisma and confidence on “stage”!

Gerard has traveled Canada from coast-to-coast and has visited the US and UK to instruct, judge and emcee at various dance events. His whacky sense of humor and lively approach to teaching makes his workshops relaxed…where the emphasis is always on having fun first!

Gerard was honoured in 1999 with North Country Rick Tippe Canadian Outstanding Line Dance Achievement Awards (ODAA) for EASTERN CANADA INSTRUCTOR and EASTERN CANADA CHOREOGRAPHER (1st Runner Up) and in 1998 for EASTERN CANADA INSTRUCTOR (1st Runner Up) and EASTERN CANADA CHOREOGRAPHER (1st Runner Up).  In 2012, Gerard won the PRO-CHOREOGRPAHY competition at Windy City Linedancemania, with co-choreographers Michael Barr and Frank Trace, for their dance I Wanna (Dance).  He has also taught east coast swing and pattern partner dancing.

Gerard has judged line dance competitions at UCWDC sanctioned events in Ontario, Canada, as well as at events in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Scotland. He has also judged line dance choreography competitions. 

Bracken is very honored and thankful that Michael Barr and Michele Burton entrusted her to continue this unique, Southern California dancers' favorite. She is overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone in the dance family that supports and works to make this event such a great time for all!

Line dance events continue to be fun getaway weekends for Bracken and her mom, Linda.

Peggy has greeted the Palm Springs dancers every year, and we are so happy she will continue being that wonderful, smiling, always happy to see you ambassador for the 2026 Palm Springs Winter Break. 

Rhonda is a highly experienced event planner and dancer! We are so very lucky to have her help with a myriad of tasks behind the scenes. Some of you might not even notice how much she has helped with Palm Springs Winter Break in the past - she's THAT GOOD!

The Palm Springs Winter Break would not be the event it is today without the many, many volunteers and helpful flamingos that donate their time and energy both before and during the event each year. THANK YOU to all who have volunteered before, and if you are interested in volunteering for 2027, please reach out. We have had 20-25 folks volunteer for each of the last four years, from decorating and setup to registration desk during busy hours, and assisting loading out Sunday evening. New for 2027, we will have written and organized jobs for decorations setup!

Thank you to Jennie McJilton for securing our food trucks, storing our decorations, and helping with local things to do.