Thain first got drawn into swing dancing because of the music. Well, that and the hot girls. But he swears it was mostly the music! He started dancing and djing in 1999, and has had the amazing luck of living in the three amazing dance cities of Seattle, Denver, and now Austin. Has been teaching since he started dancing; starting several practice groups, running the University of Colorado swing club for several years, joining 23Skidoo! in Denver, and eventually teaching occasional special topics workshops. He particularly enjoys to teach because it allows him to share his love of dancing and watch that love spread to others.

Dancing has been in Thain's blood from the beginning. His first memory of dance was jazz class at age 10. From there he moved on to prom where he reportedly danced "like an uncoordinated monkey-ninja." Completely awe inspiring, we tell you. This is one of the reasons he loves the Austin scene so much. No, not the monkey-ninja thing. The evident love that all of its members have for dancing.

If you see Thain on the dance floor, you should never describe his dancing as "predictable." No, no -- he prefers (1/2 * k * x^2) ~ (1/(1/2) * m * v^2)). Don't ask -- we think it's some chemistry joke.

Aside from the irresistible siren's call of ice cream, Thain is in a tempestuous affair with the build in the music and dancers' bodies right before count 1. In a fever of passion, these are the words that Thain wrote about this mad love:

The first count thinks it has won.
Without it, nothing's begun.
It starts off the motion;
And causes commotion.
But setting it up is more fun.

Thain is a dj for the Austin Swing Syndicate, and is quite a jazz aficionado. His favorite albums change daily, but a few consistent heavy hitters are Nina Simone's Bittersweet and Count Basie At Newport. Miss Simone also sings one of his favorite songs, "Jellyroll" (though he again admits to having many favorites). He would love her to sing a song he feel would embody his style of dancing, "What the Heck Was That," but he is also content with humming it under his breath as he puts on his shoes.