Szewai Lee

Founder | Director

Szewai (C-Y) is the owner of Duet Dance Studio, a top-rated ballroom dance studio with locations in Chicago and Countryside, IL and the founder of Winnie’s Playroom, a children playspace and event venue opening in 2025.

Her love for dance began at the age of four when she took her first class and was deeply inspired by her teacher’s passion for the art and dedication to her students. From that moment, she knew she wanted to become a dance teacher herself.

Szewai graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Dance and is trained in a variety of styles, including ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, and Latin. When she discovered ballroom dancing, she instantly fell in love with the art of partner connection—where every dance becomes a beautiful conversation without words. Since 2006, she has been sharing this joy with others, and in 2013, she opened Duet Dance Studio, which has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, ABC7, WGN, CBS, Chicago Magazine and Block Club Chicago.

Beyond dance, Szewai is a mother and a passionate entrepreneur. With Winnie’s Playroom, she is creating a space where families can play, celebrate, and connect. In her free time, she enjoys exploring hidden gems in the city, nurturing her love for plants, vintage finds, and DIY projects.

Her name, Szewai, is Cantonese and pronounced C-Y, meaning poetry and intelligence—a fitting reflection of her creativity and passion for the arts.