These are our Lindy Hop, Jazz, Blues, Balboa and Shag teachers in season 2024-2025
(don’t forget there’s always more! With our project “Special classes” we have a lot of other names of guest teachers (sometimes even from other counties) for Fridays and Weekends classes.
Olga Moiseeva
Olga has been dancing and teaching Lindy Hop for more then 20 years. She started to teach all kind of Swing dances in 2002 (when she founded Moscow Swing Dance Society (MSDS), now Moscow's premier swing dance school).
Over the years Olga has organized numerous competitions, lectures and discussions on the history of Jazz music and Swing Dance, from its fashion to its social origins. In 2012, 2018 and 2022 Olga and her partner Alex Kuznetsov (aka Sasha) were invited as teachers to Herräng Dance Camp. In 2014 she participated as a panel member in Frankie100 in New York.
These days they live in Overijse, Belgium and give regular classes at BSDC in Brussels as well as in other places in Belgium. Her latest project is TheJassettes (a Brussels-based, multinational group of dancers inspired by authentic dances & steps of the Jazz Era).
In 2024-2025 she will be focusing on Lindy Hop and Jazz for Beginners, and Advanced Jazz classes.
Luisa
After a bachelor’s degree in modern languages and many years studying ballet, modern dance and theater, Luisa recently arrived from Italy, eager to improve her dance skills and cultural knowledge about Jazz history. She discovered Lindy Hop thanks to one of her three sisters and that’s why she moved to Brussels to join the Jazz Maniacs crew, while attending a master in Performing Arts.
She cares about finding one’s personal style and she strongly believes in learning from the greatest performers of the past, watching old clips and being inspired by their creativity: this is something she would like to transmit in her classes, because she sees teaching as a way of sharing and growing for both students and herself.
Wearing her joyful yellow shoes, she’s waiting for you and for the music to begin
She is going to teach with Alessandro (Alex) Sainanee.
Tereza first started exploring the couple dance through ballroom and latin dance. The hobby grew into passion when she discovered Lindy Hop in 2018. Since then, she doesn’t miss a social dance or an opportunity to train.
For her, the couple dance offers the precious occasion to connect with ourselves, the present moment, and with one another.
In her classes, she emphasizes building a strong foundation, is passionate about technique, and places a special focus on empowering followers.
Apart from performing with Saturday Night Stompers, Jazz Maniacs, and The Jassettes, she finds honor, privilege and joy in every social dance.
She is going to teach with Mikaёl Dominguez.
Sophie Van Lint
Sophie discovered Lindy Hop in 2018. Though she fell in love with dance way earlier in life through various styles like Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Salsa (and even a bit of Hip Hop, believe it or not!).
It is in swing dancing that she found the perfect combination between her love for dance and her love for jazz music, one she shares with her family, especially on her father’s side.
For what BSDC has given to her, Sophie now hopes to pass on some of this passion and inspiration to new generations of dancers.
She is going to teach with George O’Neill.
Chiara Bartolucci
It was in a night like any other that Chiara unexpectedly stumbled upon Jazz and Lindy Hop in late 2017. In total awe, one week later she took her first class at BSDC to then never leave. Throughout the years, even when living in different countries, Chiara continued returning to the Brussels swing scene to perform and train with different groups. Since 2024 Chiara is officially back in Belgium and is currently a member of The Jassettes - a Brussels-based chorus line inspired by authentic dances & steps of the Jazz Era - and of Jazz Maniac - a Lindy Hop dance crew which aims at training acrobatic-high-tempo old style Lindy Hop.
Prior to swing Chiara has been a gymnast for 10 years, to then move into the world of dance as a young adult when she dived and explored several styles, from Ballet, Modern and Contemporary to Hip Hop, commercial and Broadway Theatre style dance.
Nowadays her motto when dancing is "It doesn't matter how it looks, it matter how it feels!".
She is going to teach Jazz, and Lindy Hop with Lionel.
Aurore Cupers
Aurore embarked on her Lindy Hop journey in 2018 and what started as a fun workout once a week soon grew into a real passion. Ever since, she has been a dedicated presence on the dance floor, attending numerous festivals and exploring the enchanting realms of Balboa, Solo Jazz, and even Tap! Although her heart sways between them all, Aurore is eager to contribute to the growth of the Balboa community in Brussels and she is thrilled to share her passion for dancing with all those who wish to join this vibrant community.
Get ready to explore the joy of balboa under Aurore's guidance.
She is going to teach Balboa with Serge Fovel.
Sofia Tsaliki
Sofia discovered African-American dances in 2018 and since then she has had the chance to teach, compete and perform. She found her true passion in blues music, taken away by the electrifying sounds of the guitar.
In her dance classes, Sofia goes beyond mere steps and moves. Her unique approach delves deep into the heart of music, emphasizing the essential elements of rhythm and musicality. With each lesson, she imparts not just dance skills but an understanding of how the music intertwines with movement. Her goal is to equip students with independence and creativity.
She is going to teach Blues with Ben.
Clara Vanden Broeck
Clara discovered Blues and Lindy Hop in Shanghai in 2017. Immediately after being back in Brussels she searched for classes. A few months later, she saw a Collegiate Shag video and was completely taken aback by the energy, the joy and the speed of the dance. She took Collegiate Shag classes in 2018, and hasn't stopped dancing it ever since.
Clara is going to teach Shag with Vincent.
Sasha is a passionate dancer and teacher with a strong focus on musical and rhythmical aspects of the dance. He was introduced to Lindy Hop in 2007 and became an addict from the get go, digging deep into the roots of the dance, historical and cultural aspects of the swing music era. Traveling within Europe and overseas and learning from the best in the business Sasha started teaching with Olga Lindy Hop and authentic solo jazz in 2011, passing on his unique approach to understanding the language of jazz music and African-American dance. While constantly looking for inspiration from the rare footage of the original dancers of 20’es and 30’es, he is a real treasure chest for those who likes to learn and expand their dancing repertoire.
In their classes Sasha and Olga teach free spirit of jazz dancing, different ways to express yourself individually and in a couple and how to create joyful communication between the partners. Their goal is for dancers to learn the ways of improvising to the music, be that with solo jazz moves, couple moves, rhythmical variations or even singing and humming!
Alex, also known as “Slops” has been dancing Swing and Lindy Hop for close to 10 years. The energy and the vibe, the music and movement completely changed his perception of life. Consistently and actively taking part in the local community of Brussels as a teacher, DJ, performer and event organizer with bands and musicians, he shares his passion for jazz.
Member of the Old Soulz group since its beginning in 2017, his dance keeps evolving by studying old style jazz through the movies.
He is going to teach with Luisa
In 2017, Mikael discovered Lindy Hop in Brussels and nobody has been able to stop him since. It is also by seeing a young swing performer troupe in Brussels that his taste for performance was born! Several dance styles attract him: shag, balboa, tap dance. He continues to evolve and work on his dance, focusing mainly on flow and musicality. Lindy Hop for him is much more than a dance, it is a fascinating universe with its own history, culture, music and values. Mikael wants to share his passion and enthusiasm and make swing dancing accessible to all those who want to learn it. Little tip: If you see him in a party, don't hesitate to invite him to dance, he can't say no!
He is going to teach with Tereza Daňková.
George O’Neill
George has been dancing Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz since arriving in Brussels in 2015. He loves the Brussels swing dance scene as well as the opportunities jazz dance provide for self-expression and improvisation.
He is a member of the Jazz Maniacs dance troupe, which trains and performs high-tempo and acrobatic choreographies in the spirit and style of the original Lindy Hoppers.
Recent exploration and training in tap dance have led him to a renewed focus on the rhythmic core of Lindy Hop, which he looks forward to sharing in classes.
He is going to teach with Sophie Van Lint.
Lionel Lutgen
Lionel is a professional musician who has found complementary qualities in dance. He explores the deep connection between movement and musicality as a form of personal and collective expression.
He discovered the joy of dancing in various styles such as Modern Jazz, Bal Folk, and Latin dances. He was later introduced to Lindy Hop and vernacular Jazz. What began as a hobby quickly turned into an obsession after he moved to Brussels in 2023. He joined the Jazz Maniacs and, with some friends, created a new performance team called Team C (until they find their final name). Both groups are engaged in understanding and practicing the spirit and style of the original Lindy Hoppers.
He is going to teach with Chiara.
Serge Fovel
Ten years ago, he started to learn Balboa, and is continuing since then to improve, going to international Balboa workshops all around the world. What was a hobby became a passion, and a second life for him. Since 2017, he dedicated himself to developing the Balboa scene in Brussels, and he started to give Balboa classes and promote it. He is well-known for the structure of his classes and builds them to be sure to give everyone perfect bases. He loves giving classes and everyone will feel that, as well as his passion for Balboa, when attending his classes.
He considers that dance classes are a time for socializing, to learn something new, but more than that, it should always be fun. He knows that no one is equal in the learning of the dance, and he will try to adapt his explanations and speed to the level of everyone. What he likes most in Balboa is the beauty of this dance and the connection, with also the fact that leads and follows can use the energy of each other, and of course the ability to dance on very..very …fast songs.
He is going to teach Balboa with Lies Vogeler, and with Aurore Cupers as of 2024.
Ben Desmedt
Ben discovered dancing while studying dramatic arts at the age of 16, learning to use the body as an instrument to express himself. He quickly became passionate about it and enrolled in a dance academy, studying dance pedagogic and choreography. He trained in various classical, modern and cultural dance styles. After 12 years of working as a contemporary dancer/choreographer/teacher he started experimenting with partnered dances to broaden his horizons and after trying Ballroom and Latin dances he discovered Swing and Blues. He thoroughly enjoyed Swing, but absolutely fell in love with Blues dancing. He has been traveling to various festivals and workshops in Europe to develop his skills, and now he is looking forward to share his passion with others.
Ben is going to teach Blues with Sofia.