Richard Cooper has been dancing and teaching all forms of dance for over 40 years. His dance training was in the Arthur Murray studios and has most recently been certified by the Golden State Dance Teachers Association. In the last 10 years he has been teaching mostly West Coast Swing (WCS), Hustle, Salsa and Nightclub2. He is one of the original owners of the Chicago Rebels Swing Dance Club, which has been in existence over 8 years. He taught for them on a regular basis. He conducts group lessons at park districts around the Chicago area as well as teaches private lessons in his spare time.

He is also a competitive dancer on the swing dance circuit having won or placed in many events. He competes regularly around the country at different levels.