Alina Sokulska

Alina Sokulska is an internationally acclaimed jazz dance artist, choreographer, performer, instructor and researcher.
She started her path as a solo dancer since the very early age gaining experience and knowledge in many dance styles and cultures.
Jazz dance has become her major passion and for the moment she is one of those jazz dancers elaborating on her own dance language with intertexts of swing, blues, bebop, tap dance, UK jazz, afro and latin, comprehending jazz as an African rooted artform.Through her theoretical researches of dance history and traditional jazz languages she broadens the limits of what is called “jazz dance” both in practice, art and a teaching approach, putting its intertexts into the radical perspective of contemporaneity.
ion and style. Everything.

Anne-Helene and Bernard

Anne-Helene & Bernard fell in love with Swing Dancing by the end of 1997… since there, they dance Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, Charleston & Jazz Roots almost every day. Because of their special background (anne Helene is a dancer since she was 7 years old in ballet, modern jazz & contemporary, when Bernard started to be a musician and a sportsman) they became quickly known nationally, and then internationally. They started to teach and spread their passion in 2001. From there, they have been asked to teach in international workshop all over the world: USA, Canada, Australia, New-Zealand, Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, and all over Europe : Sweden, England, Scotland, Netherland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Slovenia, Spain, Italia, Russia, Ukraine … and everywhere in France ! hey run their dance school in Toulouse, Studio Hop since 2001, have their own dance studio since 2003, where they teach every evening lindy hop, balboa, Charleston, jazz roots blues, in a relax and fun atmosphere.

They are specially known for their huge passion for the swing and the blues scenes, their musicality and unique style, the good balance in the couple. They have their own pedagogy, super precise, always in evolution, offering new ways of explanations, exercises and moves to make the dance easier and more comfortable. Creating a super comfortable atmosphere in class with a lot of humor and cheerfulness, they are very accessible and are happy to speak about the dancing and happy to dance with everybody during parties.

Lisa and Fabien

Fabien and Lisa met in Herrang, Sweden in 2010 and have been teaching and dancing together ever since. Coming from different backgrounds they both bring their own particular expertise, talents, and enthusiasm to the partnership.

Fabien comes from Grenoble, France and has been teaching swing dancing since 2004, specializing in lindy hop and blues. His love of choreography has led to him to choreograph a number of successful showcases performed at ILHC and other events, as well as the recent ‘French Connection’ Team that placed 2nd at ILHC and ESDC.
Lisa is a professional dancer from London, now living in France. Classically trained from the age of 6 she discovered her love for all styles of dance whilst studying for her degree in Theatre Dance at London Studio Centre. After leaving college she worked professionally in the commercial dance world, specializing in hip-hop. She then discovered and fell in love with lindy hop and blues and has immersed herself in all things swing ever since.

Their fun natured teaching style, yet ability to breakdown a movement, means their classes are a perfect mix for those wanting to progress their dancing.
Constantly pushing themselves in their own dancing means they understand the work that goes into becoming a better dancer and are passionate about sharing their experiences and helping others to achieve their goals.

Brenda Russell

Why so serious?” That’s what people always ask when they first observe Brenda. I think I was born with that look on my face. My aunt said I was so serious as a child it was intimidating. Don’t let my look of concentration mislead you. Really I am a laid back, easy going, pretty geeky girl. It’s the geeky part that tends to put me in a focused, driven sort of state. I can be intense. I don’t do things a little bit. I go for it, and with passion. Like the meaning of my name “enthusiastic, fire brand”. I am in many ways introverted, like most technicians. I can be particular, but am not as obsessive as I often get accused of. I love my work and my students. I give as much as I can and sometimes more to teaching. I really love studying movement and watching the transformation that occurs when someone shifts the way they stand, breathe, move. I also love kids, being around them relaxes me. I love hiking, swimming, lying in the sun, drinking tea, reading books, gardening, cooking. All the typical life stuff. I even love cleaning. I am also a nutrition nerd, and crazy irrational shopper. I love shopping, I love stores. I like grocery shopping, clothes shopping, any kind of shopping really. Antique, thrift, and garage sale shopping are the best.

Nick and Ilaria

Nick and Ilaria are a cool London based blues dance duo. They love the way that blues celebrates human nature and is able to bring people together by giving them a medium to express their true selves.

Ilaria is a caring teacher who encourages personal expression by not only explaining fundamental techniques to her students, but also providing the tools to let people connect to different partners and forms of blues music.

Nick is a school teacher by day and dance teacher by night. He loves finding out exactly how things work (hence the science teaching) which means he is perfectly poised to break down techniques and moves in a simple and logical manner.

In London Nick and Ilaria are ambassadors of the blues community; teaching weekly and performing front and center with The Down and Outs troupe. Internationally they started their teaching journey in 2014 for the special occasion of Milan’s first blues dancing workshop. Since then they have been part of teaching teams all over Europe from St. Petersburg to Valencia.

“We believe everyone should experience blues dancing, giving yourself to the incredible music so you can express all aspects of your character!” Nick and Ilaria page