Artists

Vincenzo Fesi

Vincenzo Fesi is a worldwide recognised dancer, teacher and choreographer. Cape Town, Melbourne, Paris, Stockholm, Seoul, London… Vincenzo is a real globetrotter, he teaches and performs at the most prestigious swing dance events all around the world and has a dazzling reputation on the international swing dance scene. Inspired by the legendary Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Frankie Manning, Vincenzo Fesi dances the Lindy Hop, the Balboa, tap, and many other jazz styles. When he teaches and performs, Vincenzo gives off a contagious energy that drives his audience crazy. He is the co-organiser of Swing Crash Festival (Como, Italy), and has made regular appearances on the big and small screen. In fact Vincenzo is not only a dancer. He also choreographs, sings, presents, and in 2014 he wrote the preface of the Italian edition of the book “Frankie Manning: ambasciatore dello swing”.

Gustav Jakobsson

Gustav grew up in a family dedicated to dance but he was more into sports growing up. As an adult he went to Herräng Dance Camp with his sister to try Lindy Hop and he was lucky enough to have Frankie Manning in one of his first classes. He fell in love with the dance right away and since then, he has been dedicating a lot of time to learn more about this amazing dance. Now a full time dancer and teacher based in Barcelona, his teaching is focused on rhythm and flow. Gustav is constantly working to improve his movement by taking Tap classes and practicing Solo Jazz movement as well as Lindy Hop. He likes to perform and compete and has been successful at events such as ILHC, ESDC, Lindy Shock and The Snowball.

Andrew Hsi

Andrew started dancing in 2006 as part of a small Lindy Hop scene in Beijing at the tail end of high school. For someone who had never danced before he thought it was pretty cool. That year the Harlem Hot Shots, one of the most renowned Lindy Hop dance companies in the world, were on tour and happened to be in town performing, he saw the show and was inspired, deciding that summer to make the pilgrimage to the Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden after dancing for only 2 months. Andrew still loves dancing as much as he did when he started, and has even placed or made finals in various competitions at events such as Camp Jitterbug, Camp Hollywood, the Lonestar Championships, and the International Lindy Hop Championships. As a dancer he is known for his at times crazy energy on the floor and as a teacher he loves discovering and sharing fun steps with everyone.

Erol

Erol hails from Turkey and is driven by bop music. Learning the lindy in class and jazz dancing outside of the classroom. He shifted his understanding and mentality over the years, realizing the history and culture of jazz. He is currently focusing on the local community and learning to improve as a rhythmic mover. He is specifically interested in jazz choreography and tries to choreograph unlike pieces.

Ionut

Ionut is a London-based dancer and teacher known for his dynamic yet precise style, commitment to dance with absolutely everyone he meets, and an ever-cheerful demeanour.

He draws his inspiration from old clips of Frankie Manning, studying not only Frankie’s approach to social dancing but also his joyful approach to leading a dance class.

A passionate learner, he deepens his understanding through books on dance and music, with John Bubbles’ biography being a particular favourite.

Ionut’s teaching style prioritises rhythm, connection, clarity, and contrast, focusing on practical techniques to enhance social dancing. His goal is for students to leave each class inspired and ready to refine their skills at home and on the social floor.

Yavor Kunchev

Yavor is a pioneer of Lindy Hop in Bulgaria, often referred to as the "Godfather" of the dance style in the country. With over 30 years of experience in dance and a background in theater, Yavor brings a wealth of artistic expertise to his teaching and performances.

His journey began with ballroom dance and Acrobatic Rock and Roll, earning several national awards, before discovering Boogie Woogie more than 15 years ago. This led him into the vibrant and captivating world of Lindy Hop, where he has since dedicated himself to sharing his passion.

As a choreographer, Yavor has created dynamic routines for theater and opera productions, including Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as for TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars and VIP Dance. His natural gift for rhythm, precision, and attention to detail make his work truly exceptional.

In the classroom, Yavor’s approach is both friendly and engaging, blending fun with a meticulous focus on technique and connection. With his extensive experience as a dance teacher, he inspires students to develop their skills while enjoying the process of learning.

Srdjan Budic

Srdjan Budić discovered Lindy Hop in 2014 in Belgrade, Serbia, and quickly fell in love with its energy and sense of community. As one of the founders of the city’s Lindy Hop scene, he played a key role in helping to establish Swing dancing in Belgrade, where he now teaches. Through his school, Hoppin' Swing, Srdjan focuses on improvisation, rhythm, and helping dancers connect with the music and each other. Currently, Srdjan is learning Tap dance to introduce it to Serbia as a new form of expression. His mission is to inspire students to embrace the creativity and joy that come with Swing dancing.

Meret Rötheli

Meret Rötheli lives in Switzerland and co-owns the dance school Ella’s Fellas with four friends. She has been dancing Lindy Hop since 2016 and began exploring Solo Jazz during the quieter days of the pandemic. With 8 years of dance experience, Meret values dance as a way to trust the flow and creativity, moving beyond analytical decisions. Her teaching encourages students to embrace their individuality and creativity, providing support as they develop their own expression.
Meret has earned placements at events such as the Savoy Cup, ILHC Europe, ILHC, Dragon Swing, and other international festivals.

Yağmur Özdemir

Music, dance, and sports have always been integral parts of Yağmur’s life. In 2017, she started Lindy Hop and began teaching Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz in 2019. Her dance journey took a new turn in 2021 when she met Kaan and was introduced to Boogie Woogie. As a cartography and surveying engineer, Yağmur is a dedicated Boogie Woogie instructor and co-founder of BoogiEast Dance Studio.

Moe Sakan

Moe Sakan has had professional training in many types of dance. In 1999 Moe fell in love with the Lindy Hop, since then this has been her dance of choice.

A pearl of the Orient, Moe moved to London in 2000, bringing a sparkle to the local swing dancing scene, and soon became the UK’s top female swing dancer. An active social and competition dancer, she is proud to have won several UK and US competition titles. Winning the world’s biggest Jack ‘n Jill competition with Marcus Koch at Frankie 95 is one of the most special titles Moe has been proud to win.

Moe travels the world extensively both for social dancing and teaching Lindy Hop. She has also enjoyed dancing for several productions, including theatre, television and film.

Laia Puig

Laia started to dance when she was six years old and danced Ballet, Contemporary and Flamenco until she was 12 when she started to do Ballroom dancing. Her parents brought her to a Swing concert when she was 19 and she was hooked instantly. She is based in Barcelona and her teaching is focused on getting followers to participate actively and with a strong rhythm in the dance. She is constantly trying to improve by taking Tap and Afro Fusion classes to compliment practicing Solo Jazz and Lindy Hop. Laia likes to perform and compete both in Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz and have had good results at events such as The Snowball, ILHC and Lindy Shock.

Elze Visnevskyte

Elze Visnevskyte is a professional African American Vernacular and Lindy Hop dancer, performer, choreographer, and educator from Vilnius, Lithuania. She has been traveling to teach, perform and compete in Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz in various festivals and workshops around the world for over 10 years, placing in such competitions as International Lindy Hop Championship and Balkan Lindy Hop Championship. She is also a scene leader, organisers and one of the owners of What a Jazz dance studio in Lithuania. Elze continues deepen her knowledge on African-American dance and culture, she has written a thesis on African-American literature and jazz music. Since she was a kid Elze has been exploring a variety of dances - from old Renaissance to traditional folk dances. She has also spent a lot of time acting in the theatre, taking a part of it to her dancing and improvisation. She values creativity and playfulness and spreads it to her students. In her classes, you can expect high-energy combos, funky rhythms and improvisation games.

Lucille Aires

Lucille Aires is an international dance educator, teaching since 2018. She’s stabilised a strong name in both Ireland and Türkiye in these 6 years specially in the Dancehall and Afro scene. Lucille is the founder of Kwetu movement dance brand and has had students from over 60 countries. She’s taught in more than 10 different countries and in the last two years has added Twerk to her studies and main styles. She has been also building a growing community online with live courses and recorded classes, having a great social media presence with around 500K across her platforms (Instagram and tik tok) She’s known by her energetic and fun classes and her care to share culture and information about the styles she teaches. Lucille has organised multiple events in both Ireland and Türkiye, brining international teachers and giving the community opportunities to keep growing and learning.

Liane

Liane is a passionate London-based dancer who loves teaching, performing, and, above all, social dancing. She enjoys challenging herself artistically, athletically and intellectually, constantly seeking to grow and expand her horizons. Liane is convinced that with the right tools, anything can be learned and taught. Her favourite dances are those that explore connection and rhythm, engage in play, and embrace taking risks. 

At home, her shelves are filled with a growing collection of books ranging from jazz biographies and history to dance psychology. 

She also draws inspiration from clips of dancers like Willa Mae Ricker, Mildred Pollard, Mabel Lee, Josephine Baker, and Daisy Richardson.

Besides dancing, Liane is busy writing her PhD thesis on feminist philosophy, focusing on questions about oppression and culture. Her fascination with jazz informs and inspires the ideas she investigates in her academic work.

In her Lindy Hop teaching she focuses on connection, follower voice, and contrast. Liane believes in creating a welcoming and engaging learning environment where students can feel empowered to explore their own unique style while providing the tools to elevate their technique.

Sonia Kutishcheva

Sonia, an architect by profession but a dancer at heart, discovered her passion for Lindy Hop in 2011 and has been immersed in swing dancing ever since. With 13 years of experience as a teacher, dancer, and performer, Sonia is known for her dedication to exploring new techniques, enhancing partner communication, and staying true to the music while expressing her unique style.

In class, Sonia combines her keen eye for detail with a thoughtful and supportive teaching approach, fostering a respectful and friendly learning environment that both challenges and inspires her students.

Beyond swing, Sonia is the creator of Authentic Dance—a program that fuses movement, personal growth, and dance therapy to help participants connect their minds, emotions, and bodies. Her holistic understanding of movement and creativity enriches her teaching, offering students fresh perspectives on connection and self-expression.

As an experienced event organizer, Sonia brings her passion for building community and creating memorable experiences to every project she undertakes. This time, she joins forces with her partner, Yavor, to share their energy and expertise at the festival.

Majda Stanojevic

Majda Stanojević is a passionate Swing dancer, performer, and educator from Belgrade, Serbia. She fell in love with Lindy Hop in 2017 and has since dedicated herself to mastering and sharing this joyful dance. As a co-founder of Hoppin’ Swing, Majda has helped shape the local Swing scene in Belgrade, creating a thriving community of dancers. Known for her smooth, playful, and improvisational style, she draws inspiration from street dances to enrich her movement and rhythm, inspiring students to explore their creativity and connect with the music. Through her classes, she focuses on building connection, rhythm, and confidence, encouraging students to find their unique voice in Swing while honoring its rich history.

Kaan Özdemir

Kaan began his dance journey with breakdancing during his childhood and expanded into Latin dances and folk dances in his youth. In 2017, he discovered Lindy Hop, which led to his passion for Boogie Woogie music and dance, a passion he continues to pursue today. Professionally, Kaan is a senior chemist and actively works as an instructional designer in the field of chemistry. He enjoys blending the worlds of science and swing dancing.

MC

Damyan Naydenov

With over a decade of experience in the swing dance scene, he has dedicated himself to fostering prosperity within the global community. From teaching and event organizing to DJing, emceeing, and volunteering  — you name it, he’s worn many hats to support its good fortune.

Whether he is performing on stage, working behind the scenes, or heating up the dance floor, it’s all about sharing the love of this african-american artform! On local gatherings or international gigs, he has always passionately given care, professionalism, and positive energy, ensuring that every interaction reflects the values of respect, inclusion, and integrity.

By inspiring a vibrant spirit throughout his journey, he has been recognized as one of the most “Crazy Bulgarians”, so whenever you meet him, don’t hesitate to connect and share a smile.