There really is nothing like a beautiful dance routine that takes your breath away. With the rise in the number of people embracing older dance forms such as swing and tap dance, there has been an explosion in the marriage of old styles and new. There are contemporary twists in the older forms that are exhilarating to watch, and there seems to be no dearth of talent that seems to keep getting better every year.
One of the most wonderful things about today is that younger people are showing an interest in dance and train for years to master their craft. While in the past, men taking up dance was not always encouraged, today more young men are stepping into dance shoes and wowing crowds with their skill and dexterity.
The confidence that comes with being one of the best in your field and inspiring others is something dancers Alexis Garrish and Ryan Boz know a thing or two about. Back in 2016, the then-15-year-olds went on to win first place at the National Swing Dance Championships that took place in Burbank, California.
Youth has a way of adding an extra bounce to the step of those who embrace it and this youthful enthusiasm is obvious in the way Garrish and Boz lit the stage on fire. Choosing the song “Shut Up And Dance” by Walk The Moon, this upbeat melody was the perfect choice for a fast-paced routine that was thrilling in every way. The young teens were incredible to watch, and their dance routine inspired us to get up and dance ourselves!
Be sure to reach the end of this article to see the full video 
Attending parties with friends, becoming enamored with crushes, and enjoying the process of ‘growing up’ are central themes to the lives of teenagers. However, the lives of Alexis Garrish and Ryan Boz contain an aspect that makes them a little different from their classmates. Both of them were teens back in 2016, and both have won high honors for their dance skills. Ryan and Alexis perform in multiple dance genres that include jazz, ballet, hip-hop, country, swing and others, but their best performances are reserved for swing dance competitions.
After months of practice, preparations, and minor setbacks, the duo was thrilled to showcase their talents at the national competition. It is evident by their routine that the two youngsters were natural dancers. Swing dance requires a combination of grace, dexterity, and footwork that needs to be perfectly synchronized with the partner. Both Garrish and Boz had evidently put in a lot of hours practicing as they flawlessly executed the dance routine.
The energy possessed by Ryan and Alexis was clear to all in attendance as soon as the music blasted from the speakers. Every movement of the young couple flowed smoothly and their routine was near perfect. Both spectators and judges watched with awe at the exciting performance. There were twirls and integrated steps that were beautifully complemented with lifts and stretches that we have seen only from highly seasoned professionals. We certainly think that both Garrish and Boz are in the professional league already despite being so young! As the song continues, the routine remains fresh and riveting.
The joy on the faces of the teens was evident as they completed their routine. They knew in their heart they nailed the performance and only hoped the judges would agree with them. As we know from the description section of the video, the judges had their own evaluation of the dance, and Garrish and Boz ended up winning the US Open Swing Dance Championships! This is a huge achievement and one that the 15-year-olds will cherish for the rest of their life.
The description section also gave a lot of insight into the young teens by none other than Ryan Boz’s mother, Debbie Ramsay Boz! Debbie Boz is a celebrated and decorated swing dancer as well, and has won multiple awards for her performances. She has been inducted into the Swing Dance National Hall of Fame and continues to nurture the talents of others who want to become accomplished swing dancers. Certainly, she has done an excellent job of helping her son become the best dancer he could be. By winning the championships, the teens were awarded “the highest West Coast Swing Honor that can be achieved.” These dancers have a bright future ahead of them in the field of dancing!
Another interesting thing to know is that both Ryan Boz and Garrish come from families that have accomplished dancers with both of their mothers competing in swing dance championships throughout the years since they were young! In fact, the two women used to compete with each other but “now find themselves both on the same team.”
It’s beautiful to see gifted individuals from different families come together to bring out the best in their children. The two had been training for only a year, and the entire routine was designed and choreographed by the two young teens. This is quite an amazing feat, and their hard work certainly paid off.
Moreover, not only are Ryan Boz and Garrish talented in the field of swing dance but other forms as well. Garrish went onto learn country dancing, a field in which she competes as well. Debbie Boz also writes, “She is a 5 time 8 dance World Champion to include 2step, Polka, Triple 2, Nightclub, Cha, Waltz, East Coast & West Coast Swing.” Along with this, she is one of the youngest people with the highest-ranking West Coast swing dancers in the world. Talk about talent!
Ryan Boz has his own share of accomplishments as well. His mother writes that he helps his brother, Gavin, who is a special needs student, and also mentors him in dancing. He also donates his time to help other teens his own age and older learn how to partner dance as well as hip hop. The most amazing this is also that Ryan Boz is a professional actor, appearing in TV shows such as “Revolution,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Secret and Lies” and “Powers.” He was also a featured Actor on the hit series “Vice Principles” on HBO in 2016.
We can’t help but be impressed by the sheer talent that these two young adults have. With so much achieved already, it is clear that big things are in store for the dynamic duo! We wish them the very best for their future!
Did you enjoy the dance performance by Ryan and Alexis? Did the 15-year-olds cause you to feel nostalgia for the days of your own youth? Pass the article along and video to your friends to enjoy. You just might inspire them to lace up their dancing shoes.
