Instructors

Private Lessons
Want to level up your dancing with top instructors? On Friday, October 2nd, you can book private lessons—solo or as a couple!
We’ve reserved rooms at Sentralen for free use. Contact the instructors directly to set up a time and price. Need their info? Email us at: oslobalboaweekend@bardarswingclub.no!

Katja Završnik & Vincenzo Fesi (SI / IT)

Katja Završnik is a renowned professional dancer, swing dance instructor, and choreographer. With a passion for dance ignited at the age of five, Katja has dedicated her life to the art of movement. In 2010, she transitioned from a career in video and film editing to pursue dance full-time, a decision that has seen her travel the world teaching, performing, and inspiring others.

Katja’s dance education spans various disciplines learned throughout her childhood in multiple dance schools. She has honed her skills by attending international workshops specialising in swing dances. Her extensive training includes acrobatic rock and roll, ballet, modern jazz, gymnastics, modern dance, and ballroom dances. Since 2005, she has focused primarily on partner and solo dances from the jazz age and swing era, mastering styles such as Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston, St. Louis Shag, authentic (vernacular) jazz dance, and ragtime dances.

Known for her versatility and expertise, Katja is celebrated as one of the top followers in the swing dance scene. Her deep understanding of reactivity and connection sets her apart, making her a sought-after instructor and performer. Since 2010, she has been a fixture at swing dance festivals and special events worldwide, sharing her knowledge and passion with a global audience.

In addition to her dance career, Katja is a certified pregnancy and postpartum exercise specialist, and Organizer of Wellness services (a graduate of Wellness program studies, through which she gained a basic understanding of psychology, mental health, nutrition, movement and physical activity).

Her life is a testament to her love for dance and her dedication to enriching the lives of others through movement and connection.

Vincenzo Fesi is a worldwide recognised dancer, teacher and choreographer. As a real globetrotter, he teaches and performs at the most prestigious swing dance events around the world. Cape Town, Melbourne, Paris, Stockholm, Seoul and London are just some of the cities where he is invited as a guest every other weekend.

He was born at Lake Como, but Roma adopted him three years ago. Inspired by the incomparable Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Frankie Manning Vincenzo Fesi dances the Lindy Hop, the Balboa, the tap dance and many other jazz styles.

Vincenzo organizes intensive workshops for beginners and professional dancers alike both in Como and in Roma. He has a specific teaching method that he developed throughout his years of experience in the fields. When he teaches and when he performs, Vincenzo gives off a contagious energy that drives his audience crazy.

Vincenzo is not only a dancer. He choreographs, sings, presents radio shows and he is also a capable story teller of the history of jazz dance. In 2014 he wrote the preface of the Italian edition of the book “Frankie Manning: ambasciatore dello swing”.

Mette Herlitz and Andréas Olsson (SE)

Mette grew up surrounded by music, it was simply part of the household. That foundation shows in her dancing. She discovered Lindy Hop in 2004, and Balboa followed a few years later. Alongside performing and teaching across Sweden and internationally, she ran a dance and music school in Stockholm and now works as a leadership trainer and coach. On the floor, she’s known for precise musicality, elegant styling, and a teaching style that makes difficult technique feel approachable without dumbing it down.

Andreas has been dancing since 2001 and teaches across the full spectrum of swing: Lindy Hop, Balboa, Solo Jazz, St. Louis Shag, Collegiate Shag, and more. He competes and wins, organizes events, and founded the Bal-Love festival. In 2020 he launched BAL-ACADEMY, bringing structured online Balboa education to dancers worldwide.

Together, Mette and Andreas bring complementary strengths, musical depth, technical breadth, and a genuine love for the dance, that make their workshops both challenging and joyful, whether you’re ironing out fundamentals or pushing into finer details.

Maria & Louis (ES)

Maria began swing dancing in 2014 and gravitated toward Balboa early — high-energy swing music was the draw, and the dance fit naturally. In 2015 she founded Jazz Bouncing, a swing dance studio in Mallorca, where she teaches Lindy Hop and Balboa as the principal instructor. She’s known for a creative, musical style and strong partner communication, and has backed it up on the competition floor with wins at national and international level, including first place at the European Balboa Championships.

Luis spent a decade based in Toronto, teaching and competing across North America before returning to Spain to help build the Balboa scene in Mallorca. His dancing is energetic and bold, and his teaching is detailed without being dry — classes are dynamic, structured, and invariably fun.

Together they run Jazz Bouncing and teach at festivals across Europe. Expect workshops that are technically solid and socially alive — the kind that leave you wanting more floor time, not less.

Jennifer Lee & Laura Keat (US)

Jenn Lee (She/Her) is a renowned swing dance instructor with a passion for fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment. She emphasizes the importance of follow voice, ensuring equal attention to both leads and follows.

As a professional follow without a dedicated partner, Jenn’s versatile dance style adapts to various partners and teaching collaborations, enhancing her abilities as an instructor. Her strong music background allows her to seamlessly integrate rhythmic concepts and musicality into her classes, helping students express themselves on the dance floor.

Jenn is deeply aware that jazz, including swing dance, is a Black cultural art form, and she strives to honor its roots by teaching with respect for its history and the community that created it.

Jenn’s love for social dancing and the swing community is evident in her warm approach and adaptable style, making her a valuable addition to any dance event she participates in.

Laura Keat (She/Her) Laura Keat began her swing dance lifestyle in 2000. Laura’s love for swing & jazz music pushed her to expand her dance journey deep into Lindy Hop and other swing dance styles such as Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Solo Jazz and Charleston. After winning international titles in Lindy, Bal & Shag, exploring social dancing and competing in her non-primary role, as a lead, has been a natural extension on her journey. As an instructor, she brings a fresh perspective to her classes, working to develop foundations in partnering for the express purpose of creating opportunities for individual expression and voice in response to the music. When Laura isn’t on the dance floor she can be found with her dog hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains, enjoying the beautiful Colorado sunshine or a good book in a great coffee shop.