Meet the van Haaren Family

By Janice Genger • Photos by Clicked By Lara

Neighbors of New Braunfels

In a quiet corner of New Braunfels, the rhythm of life often sounds like the shuffle of dancing feet and the laughter of a family rooted in joy and movement. Rob and Diane van Haaren have spent the last three decades inspiring communities around the world through swing dancing - but their story is about more than just dance. It's about building a life of purpose, cultivating joy, and leaving a legacy of kindness, one step at a time.

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.

Rob & Diane have been traveling and teaching extensively, warming hearts in more then 20 countries for over the last 30 years. Here in Paris and Korea.

"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.

But their lives are not just about dance. Rob and Diane are also proud parents to Kiana, 21 and Kai, 18, both collegiate athletes with impressive accomplishments of their own. Kiana attends the University of Northern Colorado on a track scholarship, specializing in the long jump. She was Texas State Champion in multiple events during high school and recently placed third in the Big Sky Conference Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

"Kiana took her first steps overseas," Diane explained. "Her first two birthdays were spent in New Zealand. We've always traveled as a family."

Kai, now in his freshman year at Menlo College in California, is a rising volleyball star. His journey started in a unique way — as assistant manager for Kiana's high school volleyball team when he was just 12. That spark turned into a full-blown passion, with Kai competing at the national level and eventually earning a scholarship to play at a Division I school. "They both grew up playing soccer and volleyball," Rob shared. "Sports and dance gave them discipline, confidence, and a sense of adventure."

It's that spirit of adventure that led the van Haarens 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, and Country Two Step at the American Legion downtown. The couple will be teaching classes throughout the summer 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."

Weekly Swing and Country Dance Lesson are held at the American Legion 410 W. Coll in New Braunfels

Rob & Diane also run monthly live band dances in San Antonio at the Historic Hermann Sons Dancehall welcoming all with a swing Lesson before the band.

Rob and Diane at Hermann Sons Dancehall - during the band break - getting all into their popular Charleston Circle.

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."

When they're not teaching or traveling, the van Haarens enjoy walking their dog Harley, biking through the countryside, and soaking in the small joys of rural living. "We have the best neighbors," Diane says. "It's peaceful, and yet we're close to the energy of downtown." As founders of Swing Junction, they often see their students performing at Gruene Hall or other local venues. "It's the best feeling," Rob said. "To know you helped someone find that joy. It's priceless." If the van Haarens had a family motto, they said it might be this: "Smile a lot ... and put God first."

"Everyone has a story," Diane added. "Be kind, have an open mind, and travel when you can. Travel teaches empathy." Surely the van Haarens' own travels - from Sweden to South Africa — have shaped their worldview and their children's too.

"It's given them a better understanding of people," said Rob. "That's what we hope to pass on - not just steps and rhythms, but values."

In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, the van Haarens offer a

powerful reminder: joy is found in the little things - a song, a dance, a walk with a loved one.

And as their story continues to unfold, one thing is certain - wherever there's music, you're likely to find Rob and Diane nearby, dancing through life together.

Details to join the welcoming Swing Junction Dance Community for weekly lessons in Country Two Step - West Coast Swing - Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing, Monthly Workshops and Live Band Dances or join the Summer Dance Series go to their website at www.swingjunction.org/classes

A big thank you to Janice Genger for writing this article and for the photos by "Clicked By Lara"