Producer
TWIST & SHOUT BALLOON CONVENTION
Sacramento, CA

Lorinda Ferrell, renowned for her transformative leadership at Continental Sales, brings her extensive industry experience and advocacy to Twist & Shout. With a unique background that blends professional management skills honed as one of the few female leaders at Kmart Corporation, Lorinda has been a fervent supporter of the balloon industry, notably challenging CA SB1499 to protect professional interests. Her strategic decision to significantly expand Continental Sales' balloon inventory and the creation of the custom Private Reserve line underscore her commitment to professional artists and the industry's advancement. Lorinda's involvement with Twist & Shout marks a new chapter in her dedication to fostering innovation and community within the balloon profession.

Assistant Producer
THE TWISTED BALLOON COMPANY
Brooklyn, NY

Todd Neufeld twists balloons at events in New York City and beyond. When not performing, he helps artists build their businesses with ManagerSal and helps teach the world balloon art via balloonacademy.com. You can usually find Todd drinking coffee and trying to multi-task.

Showrunner, Pajama Jam
WORLD INFLATED
Las Vegas, NV

Enter the whirlwind of Tawney B, the mastermind behind the chaos and the puckish host of the convention's renowned Pajama Jam. With her rainbow-colored hair and a penchant for all things zany, Tawney is perpetually in search of new friends, mischievous prank partners, and opportunities for heartfelt conversations that extend beyond the world of balloons. While occasionally crafting balloons, her true talent lies in quick-witted snark and keeping the energy delightfully unruly.

A beloved figure in the balloon artist community, Tawney B’s mission is to ensure everyone feels like part of the family. Don’t be shy-come say hello!

AV Stage
DAN’S BALLOONS
Nashua, New Hampshire

Renowned balloon artist Dan Staples, hailing from Nashua, New Hampshire, is celebrated for his extraordinary balloon sculptures and innovative creativity. His exceptional creations have been displayed in galleries and stadiums, defying any stereotypes associated with balloon art. Dan credits Twist & Shout for offering him a platform to both motivate and be motivated, fueling his passion to push boundaries in the realm of balloon art.

Producer Emeritus, Competitions
ROYAL EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Peabody, MA

Patty Sorell has been a pivotal figure in the balloon artistry world, transitioning from a twister to an influential behind-the-scenes force. Her dedication to the craft has led to numerous awards, including the Designer of the Year and the Cheeseman Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her contributions as an instructor and artist.

In 2000, Patty founded the Twist & Shout Balloon Convention to foster learning and collaboration among balloon professionals. Now semi-retired, she focuses on managing Royal Events & Entertainment and continues to educate through instructional DVDs and participation in industry events, cementing her legacy in the balloon community.

Watch Patty’s interview about the history of this convention here.

Photography, Technology Consultant
AIRIGAMI
Rochester, NY

Larry Moss, a multifaceted artist and community leader renowned for his innovative problem-solving abilities, cultivates a supportive environment where individuals can unearth their talents and passions. From his early days as a street performer in New York City, Larry’s journey evolved through academic pursuits in Applied Math and Teaching, culminating in over three decades of educational excellence. As the Founder and Creative Director of Airigami, he gained international acclaim for his balloon installations and productions, all while championing local arts initiatives through Teaching Artists ROC, a nonprofit he established to enrich communities and nurture teaching artistry. Larry’s enduring dedication to arts education, combined with his boundless creativity, continues to inspire individuals to unlock their artistic potential and foster meaningful change.

Graphic Design, Registration
Confetti Party Decor
Valley Cottage, NY

Laurie Straus is a professionally trained graphic artist who started in the balloon business by creating custom designed bases for local balloon artists. In 2005, she decided to add balloons to her Confetti Party Decorating business. Laurie is accomplished with both rounds and non-round balloons, winning awards in twister and decor competitions at Twist & Shout and winning the coveted "Designer of the Year" award at the 2015 FLOAT convention. Laurie joined the T&S team in 2016 and has been an integral part of the T&S team ever since. Laurie makes it a point to work, twist, and play with balloons everyday!

“MacGyver”
Dynamite Magic & Balloons
Montgomery, AL

Gary Ledbetter, CBA®, paid his way through college performing magic and creating balloon décor. His company, Dynamite Magic & Balloons of Montgomery, Alabama, is one of the premier providers of balloon decor and magical entertainment in the United States.

Known as the "MacGyver of Balloons", Gary travels the world installing large balloon builds with some of the best in the business. Gary is a fixture at the leading professional conferences, teaching and sharing and problem-solving at Ballooniversity, FLOAT, Balloon Boss Summit, Advanced Learn Balloon Decorating, Twist & Shout, and in whatever country Guido Verhoef is working in at the moment. He has a unique ability to quickly and easily solve the most difficult rigging problems.

When not traveling and teaching, Gary works and plays in Montgomery while performing his magic and mindreading shows for lucky audiences large and small.

Social Media, Designer
Houston, Texas

Described by The New York Times as “one of the greatest avant-garde balloon artists in the United States”, DJ Morrow has been creating balloons as fine art since 2019. He uses detailed sculptures and dramatic lighting to create images and in-person exhibitions that push the boundaries of what's accepted and expected out of balloon art. Exploring themes like grief, identity, religion, and politics, DJ believes the unique ephemerality and mass appeal of the medium has the potential to change the world

Classroom Management
Air Weaver Balloons
Sunbury, PA

After running away to join the circus that is Twist and Shout, Andrew never looked back and has been a T&S fixture since 2010. His early years in were focused on finding ways to perform on stage with his award winning family.. He established Air Weaver Balloons in 2011 and has become the go-to brand in Central PA for festival line work, library and school shows, and custom decor with a twister's flair.  He is a rock star among the elementary and pre-school set, but also finds ways to make balloons for actual rock stars, combining his passion for balloons with his passion for live music. Always finding synergy between the arts, Andrew also enjoys woodworking and building innovative props for performers. He credits the community of Twist and Shout for helping him find his performing style, discover his inner artist, and finally convince his wife he is not actually color blind. 

Liftoff Developer & Team Leader
Sharp Balloons
Los Angeles, CA

Shana Sharp has been entertaining audiences with balloon art for 18 years, and with improv comedy for 15 years. In 2020 she began livestreaming her art and has been hired to produce sponsored content for brands like Coca-Cola and Crocs. She hosted and co-produced Balloon Builders on Noggin from 2021-2024. As an instructor in the balloon industry, she has taught since 2012 in half a dozen countries and is most widely known for her drawing and improvisational skills. She fully believes that you can make anything out of balloons. Yes, you.

Liftoff Team
Smarty Pants Balloons
Chicago, Illinois

Smarty Pants is a Chicago based balloon artist and creator of the Big Balloon Show, a unique balloon stage show featuring magic, hilarious comedy and giant balloon props. A professional entertainer for nearly twenty years, Smarty Pants performs over 200 shows a year in schools, libraries, community centers, and theaters.  “Yes, this is his REAL JOB.”

He is also a regular feature on the WGN-TV Morning News program, bringing super silly balloon fun to millions of viewers watching at home.

Smarty Pants has been an active participant in Twist and Shout since its inaugural convention and remains dedicated to helping the next generation of balloon artists achieve their full potential.

Liftoff Team
Brenn Balloons
New York, New York

Dave is a performer, balloon artist and educator with over 25 years of experience. He has gained notoriety as an instructor at balloon conventions worldwide, sharing his unique perspective on the art and performance of balloons. Dubbed “The King of Cute” by his pal Buster Balloon, Dave specializes in adorable balloon designs, interactive stage acts, and large scale installations. His skills as a host and MC have led him to roles including the judge of New Zealand’s Blow Up, and hosting awards ceremonies for the most prestigious balloon artist events (especially Twist & Shout!) He has also been recognized for his contributions to the balloon community, receiving the 2023 David Grist Memorial Award for his tireless efforts to help his fellow artists learn and grow.  

Registration
Houston, Texas

Balloon novice! People extraordinaire!

Production Stage Manager/Show Caller
Las Vegas, Nevada

Chris Kachurak has created worlds in virtual reality, restored classic cars, designed high heels, improvised with world-class talents, and created collaborative art installations in Orlando, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. He has also served as producer, senior management, and fabricator on projects for renowned clients. He taught at UNLV, teamed on 48-Hour Film Projects, and contributed years of investment to Las Vegas staples Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, Meow Wolf, teams of magic acts, and escape rooms. In his spare time, Chris painfully enjoys challenging himself with philosophy, clowning, sketch writing, music, and anything that pushes him out of his comfort zone.

Liftoff Team

Racine Celeste is a multifaceted clown and artist from Seattle, Washington. With a background in amusement park entertainment, they tread the line between traditional clowning for private and corporate events and adult entertainment for after dark shows. With 14 years of balloon twisting experience, they are always looking for the next weird thing to try.