9 couples of international teachers
A DJ Team in progress (more to come...)
Natively from Czech Republic & Reunion Island, Jakub Jakoubek et Emeline Rochefeuille took their first steps into the dance world at the age of 16 and 12, both starting with Ballroom Dancing (Latin, Standard & line-dancing). They were both hooked since they discovered West Coast Swing, and were especially drawn to the creativity, musicality, and freedom within the dance.
Their dance world is shaped around multiple influences such as urban dances, contemporary, modern, zouk or contact improvisation; both being eager to learn and assimilate new tools from other dance forms to expand their library of movement, expression and ways to connect.
J’Em story began in June 2016, as they were hired together by pure chance in a styling workshop run by Adam and Rita in Budapest. They have been traveling the world together ever since, flying from country to country to share their passion for dancing.
After 3 consecutive years being part of the top 10 finalists at the US Open Swing Dance Championships, they just placed 4th in the Classic Division in November 2019.
One of the main actors of West Coast Swing in the PACA region, Jérôme Fernandez is an emeritus and passionate teacher, who takes the crazy bet to make known this dance, for which he has a big crush, in all the South-East.
After having danced Salsa and ballroom dances, practiced Modern'Jazz and taught Rock, he discovers West Coast Swing and trains as well pedagogically as technically, all over France (especially with the champion Maxence Martin) with champions Jordan Frisbee, Tatiana Mollmann, Kyle Red, Sarah Vann Drake and abroad by passing the first levels of PDIA (Professional Dance Instuctor Association) with Robert Royston.
On the international competitions, he competes in the All Star category in which he will finish champion of the biggest existing competition on the East Coast of the United States in Washington (MADjam 2018).
He is an outstanding teacher who will give you all he can to help you progress, with attention and humor, on the path of West Coast Swing.
Aymeline Felmy is passionate. She discovered the WCS in 2008 thanks to "pump it" by Jordan & Tatiana, a revolution! She will leave to study osteopathy & physiotherapy, a period of 8 years where she will put dancing on hold. She participated in her first events in 2016 where she discovered the sharing of social dancing with dancers from all walks of life. The connection, the sensations, the creativity that the wcs offers her push her to look always further in her own practice in order to refine her quality of movement and the communion that she can create with her partner. In addition, her interest in biomechanics, the functioning of the human body and the analysis of movement led her to start teaching wcs on regular courses which led her to train in particular with Maxence in order to bring the best possible expertise to its students..
Joao Parada started dancing at the age of 8 in a German folk dance group in southern Brazil. In 2006 he started various other styles such as zouk, salsa, Forro, Samba de Gafiera, and Argentine Tango. Dance then becomes an integral part of his life to which he dedicates several hours a week while following professional training. In 2011 he started teaching dance and met West Coast Swing a year later in 2012. He quickly fell in love with this dance. Subsequently, he traveled to many events in Brazil and abroad to train with the greatest. In 2014 he started teaching WCS in Brazil and continues to teach it with passion today in Switzerland and in some European events.
Savana Barreau started jazz dancing at 4 years old and never stopped until then. Being passionate about dance in general, she has practiced many other styles in solo, contemporary, classical, hip hop. She participates in numerous competitions, obtains regional and national prizes, and enters the conservatory during her high school years. At the same time she discovers dances at the age of 7 with rock then quickly salsa and a little later West Coast Swing. Very young, she was given the opportunity to teach, which she quickly acquired a taste for human relations and sharing with students. On leaving high school, she made the decision to specialize in west coast swing and went to live in Switzerland to work in the school of Jang Widler where she still works today.
Ludovic Pelegrin Pardou has taken its first dancing steps at 10 years old, when he first learned rock’n’roll. His dancing background is as much innovative as diversified, as he had taken a quick interest into Lindy-Hop, Balboa, Charleston, Acrobatic rock’n’roll, Salsa, Boogie Woogie and Tap dancing. He has been a Rock and Roll, Lindy Hop and Charleston instructor since 2009.
His attraction into Swing dancing enabled him to discover West Coast Swing in 2010. Quickly becoming very passionate, he goes from workshops to workshops overseas, where he learned from the best instructors. He also competes to many competitions where he regularly places into the Top 3.Driven by the desire to share its passion and helping others to discover and learn it, He started to teach WCS since 2011.
After contributing to spread West Coast Swing within its area (in France), he is now giving few workshops across France and Europe. Thanks to its knowledge & skills in a variety of dances, he is known for his amazing musical knowledge, his structured and concise teaching and his great generosity.
Karin Kakun has been dancing all her life. She holds a university dance degree and has now taught dance for more than 14 years. She teaches WCS, Hip-Hop, stretching, pole dance. She also choreograph and performs. Before starting dancing WCS, she was the Israeli salsa champion.
Karin started her WCS career in 2014 and from the first moment she fell in love. She is now competing both in All Star and Champion divisions and teaching in Israel, where she directs a West Coast Swing line of classes. She actively travels and teaches all around Europe.
Maxence Martin is currently the only French dancer to have obtained the title of Champion in West Coast Swing.
Former Champion and black belt in Judo, he began his dance career with Lindy Hop. Very quickly fell under the spell of the WCS, he began his training in 2007 alongside the greatest in California and asserted himself in less than a year in the category of American Champions. Since then, he has traveled the four corners of the globe to share his knowledge and his passion for this dance.
He was awarded the Best International Dancer Award at the 2011 Westie Awards Nominations Ceremony. An exceptional dancer, one of the most endearing and appreciated of his generation and organizer of the WOTP.
Virginie Grondin started dancing at the age of 5. Coming from Rock'n'Roll and Boogie, it evolves towards individual dances, such as jazz, classical and contemporary dance. She trained at the Conservatoire National Supérieur and passed the technical aptitude exam. She discovered West Coast Swing in 2007 and quickly established herself in the community thanks to her previous training and her natural talent for this discipline.
Virginie Grondin is currently one of the best West Coast Swing dancers in Europe, and is gradually beginning to assert herself in the United States. She notably won the UK Open and the Midland Swing Open in 2010. She also reached the podium alongside the Champions in the biggest American events: Boogie By the Bay (San Francisco), Madjam (Washington) and Swing Diego (San Diego).
Maxime Zzaoui started dancing at the age of 5 in Lyon, France. He studied contemporary at the Conservatory for 6 years before starting his career in the West Coast Swing community. He is now one of the top male professionals, and was the first European to place in the top 5 of the Classic division at the US Open 2012.
Torri Smith began dancing when she was 3 years old in California, USA. She has studied other dances, but has always been a part of the West Coast Swing community; she has won the Young America/Young Adult divisions a total of 6 times at the US Open. Torri was the first and only person to win both the Classic and Showcase division in the same year at the 2010 US Open, and continued to win the Showcase division for the next 4 years.
Maxime and Torri recently decided to build a partnership and travel the world teaching together. They love the fun and social atmosphere of West Coast Swing, and always want to make their classes informative yet enjoyable for everyone.
Natasha Devyatkina and Olivier Harouard are successful instructors, competitors, performers and festivals organizers.They are the WOTP organizers with Maxence Martin.
They have won numerous contests and In April 2013 at the Balboa Rendezvous, they were the first European couple to win the title of Champion IBC (International Balboa Championship) in the famous Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach (USA)! They also placed 3rd at the highest ranked Balboa competition in 2011, the American Classic Balboa Championships. More than competing they enjoy social dancing and sharing their passion with others.
They compete for fun, but they enjoy especially the social dancing and exchanges around the world by sharing their passion with others. Since 2003 their blend of two cultures has been creating an original style of dancing and a very personal style of teaching in all kinds of Swing dancing.
Natasha fills the most complicated step with grace and makes it look so easy. Olivier is one of the best leaders in the world and bewitches each lady with his French charm and esprit. They are permanent students in all styles of dancing and are constantly trying to learn how to improve their skills and way of teaching.
When it comes to pushing the envelope of West Coast Swing, Sean McKeever and Alyssa Glanville are the couple watch. Independently, these two Champion dancers are known for their work ethic, love of movement, and joy of sharing their art.
Sean has a history as a black belt in martial arts and grew up dancing through a local ballroom program called Nordquist. Ironically, that is where he met Alyssa, a charismatic athlete who also had a deep love for dance and movement. They've shared the floor throughout their careers and finally have joined forces as a partnership. Between the two of them, they hold several titles in Classic, Strictly Swing, and Jack and Jills.
But more importantly, they are committed to continuously growing themselves as dancers and artists, and will share that passion as they teach around the world. We're looking forward to start this new era with you!
Semion Ovsiannikov has been dancing ever since he was eight. He started with ballroom dancing first, then got into social dancing, and finally into West Coast Swing. He is known for his musicality and great connection with his partners.
Maria Elisarova has been dancing since 2007. In 2008 she fell in love with social partner dances. She started learning hustle/discofox and salsa. She had been dancing hustle and discofox for 4 years, working on her solo choreography as well when West Coast Swing came in to her dancing life. After that she couldn’t stop dancing WCS. She enjoys the versatility of the dance, bringing new emotions, options for musicality and styling to every dance.
Semion and Maria were the first Russians to ever get to US Open Classic finals in 2016, 2017, 2019. They also got the second place at The Open Classic finals in 2018.
Their partnership emphasizes technique, musicality and connection. They love the possibilities for communication and dialogue between partners during every dance, and seek to help their students discover this incredibly fun aspect of WCS. They share a philosophy that care and attention are the best things partners can give to each other during any dance.
In 2013, Armand began his journey into West Coast Swing. Very quickly, he fell in love with the musical diversity of the dance.
After a few years, he decided to pursue a career as a DJ. He starts with several socials in the Paris région and small events in France. Since 2022, you can find him at numerous events throughout France. His ultimate goal behind the DJ booth is to keep you from leaving the dance floor.
Stephane has discovered West Coast Swing in 2009 in Paris. Then, back to the south of France, he has joined the Rock’Caliente association where he met Jérôme Fernandez as a teacher attending in parallel many national and international events. Since 2013, he teaches WCS with Fabienne Querol and organizes the parties in Aix en Provence. He is also the Aix on West event director.
International DJ, Rodolphe has only one guideline, to make you dance and share his love of West Coast Swing. Covers, acoustic, pop, rap, Fr, blues and rare pearls, our HEAD Dj for 8 years will have the role of setting the mood for all your evenings by giving the overall musical orientation of your event in each room..
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