MEET YOUR TEACHERS
youngdon and dawa
Dawa & Youngdon are an internationally renowned blues dance couple whose partnership has played a pivotal role in shaping the Asian blues dance scene.
Dawa’s journey through Polynesian dance, salsa, Lindy Hop, and ultimately blues brings a rich physical and cultural depth to her movement, while Youngdon’s early roots in Lindy Hop and formative experiences in the United States forged a lifelong dedication to blues dance as both art and heritage. Together, they are celebrated performers, finalists, and champions at major blues events across the United States and Europe.
As educators and community builders, they are deeply committed to honoring the African American roots of blues dance, emphasizing musicality, improvisation, and authenticity.
Through international teaching, performances, and visionary projects, Dawa and Youngdon continue to bridge cultures and generations, nurturing blues dance as a living, evolving tradition worldwide
dexter santos and Heidi fite
Dexter Santos & Heidi Fite are internationally respected blues dancers and educators whose work has deeply influenced the global blues dance community. Dexter discovered blues dancing in 2005 in San Francisco, captivated by its rhythms, emotional depth, and expressive possibilities. Over years of performing, studying, and collaborating with leading figures worldwide, he has developed a teaching approach that inspires dancers to explore personal expression while honoring the dance’s cultural and historical roots.
Heidi began blues dancing in 1999 in St. Louis, Missouri, and has since become a vital voice in the community as a teacher, researcher, and organizer. Raised on blues music in her grandmother’s backyard, she combines lived experience with extensive study of historical footage, writings, and interviews with pioneers of the dance. Through her teaching, she emphasizes blues as a living tradition shaped by its African American heritage, helping dancers understand its history, aesthetics, and cultural significance while experiencing joy and musicality on the floor.
Together, Dexter and Heidi bring decades of experience, deep historical knowledge, and a passion for preserving and sharing the richness of blues dance. Their classes and performances are celebrated for their authenticity, energy, and the unique ability to connect dancers to both the music and the tradition.
Adamo Ciarallo and Vicci Moore
Adamo & Vicci are internationally respected blues and swing dance teachers, performers, and community builders who believe that dancing has the power to make the world a better place. Through teaching, performing, and social dancing around the globe, they share their passion for connection, improvisation, and the joy of movement.
Blues dance lies at the heart of their work. They are deeply inspired by the intimacy of partner connection, the freedom of improvisation, and the energy of live music. As teachers who are not from the African American culture that created blues, they are committed to continually educating themselves about the history, cultural values, and social context of the dance, striving to honor the art form and the people who created it in every class they teach.
Vicci is a professional blues dancer with a strong academic background in dance, anatomy, and education, known for helping students become thoughtful, expressive dancers. Adamo brings over a decade of international teaching experience, recognized for his charismatic style, musical sensitivity, and ability to build welcoming dance communities.
Together, they are the co-founders and organizers of The Blues Room online dance school, Bluesology Teacher Training, The Jump dance training program and co-organizers of ESpanish Blues Festival, continuing to share blues dance as a living, joyful, and historically grounded tradition.
Gastón Fernandez and Alba méngual
Gas & Alba are passionate Swing and Blues dancers, teachers, and community builders, deeply inspired by the music, culture, and dances that grew from them. Since meeting in 2013, they have chosen to change their lives to fully dedicate themselves to these art forms, continuing to study and explore them every day in order to grow as dancers and educators.
They are the founders and directors of Big Mama Ballroom in Madrid, a place that is more than a school—an institute dedicated to Swing and Blues, where music, culture, and dance are central. Alongside their work in Madrid, Gas & Alba teach and perform internationally, sharing their passion with dance communities around the world.
They also co-organize the ESpanish Blues Festival, helping to create spaces for connection, learning, and exchange within the blues dance community. Their dancing and teaching seek a balance between individual expression and partnership, valuing clear communication, mutual listening, and strong connection, always with deep respect for the cultural roots of these dances.
Inspired by the spirit of the 1930s and grounded in the present, Gas & Alba aim to inspire those who watch and learn with them, remain authentic in what they share, and continue growing as dancers, teachers, and Jazz artists.
Edmilson bothelo and annette kuehnle
Annette & Edmilson are passionate, internationally recognized dancers, teachers, and community builders, each bringing a unique perspective and energy to blues and swing dance.
Annette, based in Heidelberg, Germany, has spent almost two decades spreading her love for early Black American dances, particularly blues. As a teacher, dancer, DJ, and organizer, she is renowned for her expertise, dedication, and infectious enthusiasm. Her classes are playful, full of energy, and deeply rooted in musicality, helping dancers connect to the music while exploring their own individual expression.
Edmilson da Cruz Botelho, originally from São Tomé and Príncipe, grew up immersed in African and traditional dances before discovering Lindy Hop in Portugal in 2012. Since then, he has become a sought-after performer and teacher, sharing Lindy Hop, aerials, and both partnered and solo blues dance. Edmilson’s teaching reflects his deep musicality, performance experience, and love of movement, inspiring dancers to explore rhythm, style, and creativity.
Together, Annette and Edmilson bring a wealth of experience, joy, and musical sensitivity to the floor, offering students the chance to connect deeply with the music, the dance, and the culture behind it.
Noreda graves
Noreda Graves is a powerful singer, performer, and educator rooted in the traditions of gospel, blues, soul, and funk. Born in North Carolina, she began singing in church at a very young age, absorbing the deep musical heritage and emotional storytelling that continue to shape her artistry today. Her rich voice and commanding presence reflect a lifelong connection to Black American music and culture.
Now based in Europe, Noreda performs internationally with her band, sharing music that blends tradition, groove, and personal expression. Alongside her work as a vocalist, she brings this same depth and musical understanding into her dance classes, where she explores rhythm, movement, and connection to the music from an embodied, cultural perspective. Through both music and dance, Noreda invites students and audiences to feel the blues—not just hear it.
Kevin Leo
Meet Kevin Leo, a versatile artist trained at the prestigious London Studio Centre. Kevin, a singer with a deep passion for dance, particularly salsa and blues, seamlessly incorporates his dance background into his artistic endeavours. While Kevin is primarily recognised for his vocal talents, he has actively engaged in the dance world since his time at dance college, once establishing himself as a dynamic choreographer for popular singers.
After years of teaching at London's Dance Attic Fulham, Kevin is now introducing a unique, bespoke approach for the Good Time Blues Festival. A new three-class structure includes Theory, Practical, and a captivating Presentation. The final Show call provides participants with the opportunity to showcase their learning alongside Kevin Leo and his supporting team, Vicci and Daniele, performing alongside a live band. This promises a memorable fusion of music and dance.
jessie gordon
Jessie Gordon is an internationally touring jazz and blues vocalist, vintage jazz dancer, and educator known for her soulful voice, musicality, and deep love of swing and roots music. Originally from Perth, Australia, she began singing professionally as a teenager and has since recorded multiple albums and performed across Australia, North America, Asia, and Europe. Her music blends jazz, blues, and classic swing with a warm, expressive style that resonates with dancers and audiences alike.
In addition to her work as a performer, Jessie teaches dance classes that reflect her connection to music, movement, and rhythm — helping students explore swing and vintage dance from an embodied, musical perspective. Her joyful teaching style celebrates movement grounded in the music and its roots
Bibi Elespini
Bibi has been dancing for 25 years (and teaching for over 18!), but it is only when she discovered the blues that she found her true “perfect match”. The overwhelming passion for blues music and dance quickly became a one-way ticket to the world. She is a well-known face on the international scene, having travelled all around Europe, USA and Asia to deepen her knowledge, teach, share and spread all of her love and appreciation for the blues. She has given birth also to several communities of blues dancers in Italy, teaching weekly courses and workshops since 2014.
Bibi holds a strong sense of respect for the values of African American culture, and for the importance of researching and respecting the cultural roots and history of blues. What she loves about blues are the breadth of blues music as well as the creativity, the freedom of expression and the deep connection and communication with the music and the partner in the dance.
Aside from dancing, she is a nerd of body mechanics, is a certified yoga instructor and is just about to graduate in Kinesiology and Movement Sciences.
