Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Van Haaren.
Hi Rob, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
“I had just won a Swing Dance competition,” Diane said. “That’s when I met Rob – he invited me to his dance classes. I showed up a month later and the rest is history.”
That “history” includes a three-month journey teaching at dance camps across Europe, a pivotal move to the San Francisco Bay Area, and helping fuel a national swing revival in the mid-1990s.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Diane’s own journey has taken a few unexpected turns. With a background in child development and a former preschool teacher at Patagonia’s headquarters in Ventura, Calif., she now works the front desk at Davenport High School. Her warm, approachable nature continues to shape young minds — whether at school or on the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Rob’s path is just as compelling. Born and raised in the Netherlands, he first came to America in 1983, riding his bicycle across the country to discover its culture.
After a stint in the Dutch Army and a few years in men’s fashion, he made a bold move to pursue outdoor recreation in the U.S. – only to fall head over heels for swing dancing in Santa Barbara. “Once I saw people dancing to big band music, I was hooked,” Rob said. “It became my life.”
It took many years of research and finding the old masters to build a foundation for understanding the great dance culture and it took many years bringin g out other talents organizing and running 5 different international Dance Camps before things started to take of in the USA. Building a dance scene in San Francisco then in the mid 1990″s seemed to be the best place where 37 students showed up for their first night, building it up to a 300 people weekly dance night.
Locally in New Braunfels and San Antonio building a new dance scene has been challenging. But working together with the local communities and pushing forwards for 11 years they have been rewarded by many smiles. They continue their mission of building community and change peoples lives! They now offer Country Two Step – Line Dancing – EC. Swing – WC Swing – Lindy Hop and Salsa.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Their story began, fittingly, on the dance floor.
“I had just won a Swing Dance competition,” Diane said. “That’s when I met Rob – he invited me to his dance classes. I showed up a month later and the rest is history.”
That “history” includes a three-month journey teaching at dance camps across Europe, a pivotal move to the San Francisco Bay Area, and helping fuel a national swing revival in the mid-1990s. “Jazz was alive and the young crowd was ready,” Rob said. “We got the biggest club we could find, started weekly dances with live bands — soon we had 300 people coming out every night.” The couple married in 2000 in a ceremony overlooking the ocean in Bodega Bay, Calif. But, Rob and Diane’s bond extended beyond their personal lives. They became global ambassadors for swing dance, teaching in more than 20 countries from South Africa to South Korea and performing with the likes of Wynton Marsalis – even dancing at a presidential function where they met the President of the United States.
The van Haarens moved to New Braunfels 11 years ago.
Looking for a slower pace and a sense of belonging, they settled into the community with the same passion they brought to the dance floor. They launched Swing Junction – Let’s Dance, a vibrant local hub offering classes in West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Salsa and Country Two Step. The couple will be teaching classes – with their other teachers – throughout the rest of the year and into 2026 and can be found at www.SwingJunction.org
“Dancing is the heartbeat of a happy community,” Rob explained.
“It brings people together — across ages and backgrounds – and creates shared joy.”
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. The couple has been named “Best of New Braunfels” finalists multiple times, and in 2022-2023, Rob was honored as New Braunfels Citizen of the Year for his contributions to community life.
“We were so humbled,” Diane said. “To be recognized for something that brings us so much joy — it’s truly special.”
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Starting to dance might look intimidating, but everyone is a beginner in our class and we love having fun messing up together. We even give you cheat steps to get back on. Just smile a lot … and look great!
“Dancing creates an instant connection,” said Diane. “Wherever we went, we made friends, built community, and celebrated life through music.” With roots reaching back to the original masters of the Swing Era, Rob and Diane’s teaching philosophy is infectious – blending deep knowledge with a light-hearted, welcoming approach that puts beginners at ease.
Pricing:
- Come to one class (try it out) $18
- One Month Punch Card $55
- Three Month Punch Card (most popular) $144
- “Dance in a Day” – Swing & Two Step Workshop $37
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.swingjunction.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_swingjunction/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newbraunfelsswingjunction/
