Benji Schwimmer

Benji Schwimmer is the son of choreographer and West Coast Swing dancer Buddy Schwimmer. His mother, Laurie Kauffman, and sister, Lacey Schwimmer, are also west-coast swing dancers.

He started competing when he was five years old. His aunt, Vicki Groskreutz, was the choreographer, and he and cousin Heidi regularly showcased their swing talents at various shopping malls, theme parks, and fairs.

Benji and his older cousin, Heidi Groskreutz, (the fourth finalist on the same season of So You Think You Can Dance), are also U.S. Open Showcase Swing champions in west-coast style. Schwimmer left the dancing scene to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

He has subsequently founded D.E.M.A.N.D., a non-profit organization that helps the less fortunate and provides health care for dancers with HIV/AIDS and other illness, and is a co-owner of 5678 Dance Studio in Redlands.