CLASSES
TEACHERS
ALBA
Alba discovered blues & lindy hop in 2007 and started to teach them for fun. She has been fully dedicated professionally to them since 2013. She brought her analytic foundation from her old career (pharmacy, medical information) and found in teaching a new way to apply her love for communication. Seven years ago she opened a school alongside Gastón Fernández, in her hometown, Madrid. (Big Mama Swing)
VICCI
There is nothing Vicci loves more in the world than dancing! She has a broad knowledge of dance and the body, training initially as a solo dancer and gaining a degree in Contemporary Dance and Choreography, and a diploma in Anatomy and Physiology. Her background in a variety of solo dances proved invaluable when she discovered Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Blues dance and she is known for approaching her partner dancing with grace, fluidity, and intense body awareness.
ARJA
Arja discovered Blues dancing in 2013, fell in love with the music and the connection, and has been a cornerstone of Helsinki's blues dance community ever since moving there in 2014. In order to have a scene to dance in she started organizing, DJing and teaching, and a few years later coaching her own performing blues dance troupe ‘Ouf of the Blues’. Arja is experienced in teaching partnered blues in both leader and follower roles, as well as solo blues. She teaches regularly in her local Helsinki but occasionally also elsewhere in Finland and internationally. Arja’s teaching style has been described as encouraging, genuine and inspirational. She likes to mix playful and technical exercises and is passionate about blues dance aesthetics, partnering skills, musicality and fostering creativity that respects and is inspired by the dance's cultural roots. Additionally, she is very enthusiastic about the wellbeing benefits of dancing that extend even beyond the dance floor.
ISABELLE
Isabelle has been dancing since she was a toddler. She discovered Blues dancing in late 2012 after moving to the UK. The variety of Blues music styles, tempos and rhythms as well as the various forms of connections have kept her on the dance floor ever since. Isabelle loves those moments when you can really sink your teeth (or feet?!) into a song, be in the moment and enjoy this ultimate form of self-expression because the music moves you. She has travelled to countless Blues events around the world and taught locally, nationally and at various events across Europe. If not dancing, she will be found learning more about Blues and Black American history as well as organising dance events in her local Oxford scene.
AVALON
BROWN
Avalon’s love for African dance began while she was living in Rio de Janeiro. The joy she saw on the dancers’ faces and the freedom they expressed through dance to powerful percussion changed her life! To deepen her understanding, she traveled extensively to various African countries and within the African diaspora to learn traditional dance styles. She brings these experiences into her own AfroMix classes and performances. It is a blend of different African dance and music styles. The movements are grounded, expansive, intense, and uplifting. It’s about letting go and releasing your energy—and stepping into your power. Avalon regularly performs at cultural events, both individually and with her dance group AfroMixChicks. The strength and energy of African dance make her incredibly happy! She can't wait to step into this power together at Boulevard Blues!
JESSIE
GORDON
Jessie Gordon is an Australian jazz and blues vocalist, vintage jazz dancer, and internationally respected dance educator known for her deep musicality, joyful teaching style, and strong connection to the roots of blues and swing culture. Based in Perth, Western Australia, she began dancing Lindy Hop in 2001 and soon expanded into blues and solo jazz movement, eventually building an international career as both a performer and teacher. As a blues dance teacher, Jessie is recognized for classes that center rhythm, improvisation, partner connection, and emotional responsiveness to music. Her background as a professional jazz and blues musician strongly informs her teaching approach, helping students understand dance through the structure, feeling, and history of the music itself. She emphasizes movement that feels grounded, expressive, and socially connected rather than purely technical. Jessie has taught workshops and festivals internationally across Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, including events focused on Lindy Hop, solo jazz, and blues dance. Students describe her teaching as warm, musical, inclusive, and rooted in authentic jazz and blues traditions. Alongside her dance career, Jessie is also an award-winning singer-songwriter and bandleader who has toured internationally and recorded multiple albums spanning jazz, blues, swing, and roots music. Her dual perspective as both musician and dancer gives her classes a particularly rich focus on phrasing, groove, and improvisation.
JOYSS
Jean-Charles Zambo (Joyss) is a French actor, dancer, performer, and educator internationally recognized for his unique approach to Authentic Jazz and Solo Swing dance. Blending musicality, storytelling, and social connection, his work is deeply rooted in the original spirit of Jazz culture while constantly exploring new ways of expression and transmission. Winner of the ILHC World Championship in Solo Jazz, Jean-Charles has taught and performed across Europe and internationally, sharing a dynamic vision of dance that combines freedom, rhythm, creativity, and human connection. His artistic journey also led him to collaborate on major stage productions such as the *Fashion Freak Show* by Jean-Paul Gaultier featuring the pillars of the french Queer scene and to perform alongside Catherine Ringer during the tribute tour to Les Rita Mitsouko. As a teacher, Jean-Charles is known for creating immersive classes that encourage dancers to develop not only technique, but also confidence, individuality, and awareness of the social dimension of Jazz & Blues dance. Through his energy, philosophy, and unconventional teaching methods, he invites dancers to reconnect with movement as a living conversation rather than a performance alone.
LEVELS
What level should I take?
Please read the information below before you choose your level.
It is very important that you are realistic & honest about your skill level. You will gain the most if you participate in classes that match your own skill level. Don’t overestimate yourself, or you and your fellow students won’t have any fun. Even when a higher level sounds great, you should only register for that level if you already have the required skills. This will allow the instructors to meet your specific needs to the best of their abilities.
We know it is hard to set yourself at the right level, especially since levels mean different things in different cities and communities. To help you pick the appropriate level, we have provided detailed level descriptions below.
If you are still in doubt, you can ask your/our teachers for a recommendation.
If you register with a partner, make sure to choose the level that fits both of you. If your level/expertise/experience doesn’t match, we prefer you to register at different levels. It will still count as ‘registering with a partner’.
The best advice we can give you is not to rush to get to a higher level. If you want to become better, you will benefit the most in the correct and not at the highest level.
Teachers will check during the first class whether everyone is at the right level, and may request changes if they feel a couple or an individual would be better off at another level.
COUPLE TRACK
BEGINNER*
* At least one of the conditions below must apply. Please note that our beginner level is only for people who have taken partnered dance classes before (any other style is fine).
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I’ve never danced blues before (but I do have experience in other partnered dances).
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I had a few blues workshops or tasters.
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I’ve been taking blues classes for a few months, dancing blues for less than a year.
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I only participated in the previous edition of BB and haven’t taken regular classes since.
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If one of the 4 descriptions above applies to you, this is your group!
COUPLE TRACK
INTERMEDIATE
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I have taken regular (weekly) classes or workshops for 1-3 years.
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I can lead/follow the basic steps, and I know a nice range of vocabulary to play with on the social dancefloor.
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I can switch between different types of connections (close embrace, open, closed, side by side, etc.).
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I can dance to different tempos, but the very fast (or very slow) ones can still be challenging.
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I understand the importance of each partner's role in blues dance.
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I want to develop my skills and build confidence.
COUPLE TRACK
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
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I have taken regular (weekly) classes or workshops for at least 3-6 years.
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I feel comfortable dancing to different tempos and styles of blues music.
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I can incorporate different rhythms into my dancing.
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I know about different styles of blues music and try to change my dancing to fit the music.
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I go to socials frequently and can easily mix steps.
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I have a sound understanding of the blues aesthetic and solid partnering technique.
COUPLE TRACK
ADVANCED
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I have been blues dancing regularly for many years, and I am amongst the most experienced dancers in my community.
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I (might) teach locally .
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I am able to lead/follow a very wide range of moves.
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I am confident in dancing to a large variety of blues music styles and a range of tempos (Latin blues, Texas Shuffle, Chicago triple,...).
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I love to join jam circles, competitions or performances.
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I am a musical dancer and capable of improvisation.
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I have a sound understanding of the blues aesthetic and solid partnering technique.
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I have great quality of movement
COUPLE TRACK
INVITATIONAL
We also organize an invitational track. If you believe you would be a good fit, please email us to express your interest. We will then send you a special questionnaire to complete. Email to: Sway.vzw@gmail.com
SOLO TRACK
SOLO*
*This solo track aims at the more experienced dancers (intermediate/advanced). The tempo will be higher than what is expected in a ‘beginners or all levels class’.
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I have taken regular (weekly) classes or workshops for at least 1-3 years, dancing solo.
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I know several steps from the solo blues vocabulary.
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I feel comfortable dancing to different tempos and styles of blues music.
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I am a musical dancer and capable of improvisation.
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I don’t mind learning a choreo.
SCHEDULE
More info coming soon :)