This was the 2025 line up. Stay tuned for the 2026 edition!

Joseph & Charlotte

𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 Having learnt from some of the legendary 1930’s dancers such as Frankie Manning and the Queen of Swing Norma Miller, Joseph is one of the UK's leading swing dance teachers, choreographers and performers. He has appeared numerous times on tv, in movies and on stages around the globe. Joseph’s specialism is making the average student dance and feel like a champion. So whether you’re an advanced dancer or absolute nervous beginner, you’ll leave his classes motivated! 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀-𝗦𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 Lifelong dancer Charlotte has over a decade of experience in sharing her Swing expertise at festivals, competitions and in countless media appearances. With professional training in sports therapy, and inspired by ‘old timers’ such as Norma Miller, she is especially passionate about lifting up the versatility and creativity of followers.

Sep & Alexia

𝗦𝗲𝗽 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗰𝗵 Unique and committed, Sep is a passionate jazz-, blues- & swing dancer, as well as aspiring expert on these matters. While teaching he prefers holding space as a facilitator. With Sep it’s all about the ‘jazz process': historical context, personal development and expressing your own style while trying to appreciate this African American art form as a guest. Curiosity for the ways of jazz and humanity, as well as his successful performances in the sector, make him a welcomed guest around the globe. At Sugarville he aims to sweep you up in lovely grooves- and a groovy love for the music. 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘂𝗲𝗶𝘅 More than a job, teaching is Alexia’s passion. She’s been dancing Lindy Hop since 2005, and founded her own school in picturesque Paris. Alexia's always exploring how to teach her concepts and values, working hard to respect the original black African American culture, in which she considers herself a lucky guest. Individual responsibility in partnership, self-expression and inspiration drawn from music are some go-to topics that she will teach in personal ways. Don’t expect her to micromanage your dancing; she won’t! Instead, she will help you find your unique ways to move - by yourself and with a partner - in the (let’s hope) spirit of jazz. At Sugarville she’ll shake you in a pleasant and caring way!

Elle & Joris

𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗶 From a young age Elle was exploring dance styles from Modern Jazz to Ukrainian Folk. However, when she stumbled upon Lindy Hop in her hometown of Adelaide, Australia, there was no turning back. Committed to fostering individual expression and improvisation in both Lindy Hop and Solo dance, Elle wants to empower you to embrace your unique qualities through movement. Her greatest source of inspiration is the conversational nature of jazz, and she continuously strives to deepen her connection to- and awareness towards the African American roots of the dance and music. 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗲𝗿𝘁 A dynamically versatile artist, Joris is currently based in Berlin. Before that he founded the Crazy Legs dance school in Ghent, Belgium the city where he honed his skills. Today you will find Joris giving individual sessions in Berlin’s dance studios, or visiting dance festivities in Europe. As an instructor, he always gives his best. While oriented on the answers in the roots of Jazz, Joris will make sure his Sugarville sessions are an exchange instead of a one-way stream.

Amarins

Amarins Woltring has been singing from a very young age. Music and dance have always been important aspects of her life. She has been singing both nationally and internationally on a semi-professional level; from black gospel, South African and West African music to French chanson and classical music. She also fell in love with dancing, from ballroom dancing, to salsa, Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦(𝘄)𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗿 Amarins created the S(w)ing Choir on the idea that singing and creating rhythm makes people smile, feel free, connect with each other, and learn to dance Lindy Hop. S(w)ing Choir goes back to the origins of swinging jazz music: black gospel, spirituals, music from West and South Africa. Amarins uses the call and response method and body percussion to create rhythm. With this method, anyone with or without a musical background can quickly master the songs. Listening to- and hearing each other, paying attention to each other and to the music ensures that people sing beautiful swinging harmonies together a cappella, without the use of sheet music and notation. Almost everything is done by ear. This way everyone can participate!

John & Merel

𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗼 Two weeks after his first dancing class in 2017 - John attended SwingDom, and he has not stopped dancing since. He frequently participates in international events and is currently discovering other Swing dances such as Balboa. With all this newfound knowledge, our resident mad dancing scientist is back with more gruelling lessons. 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗮𝗿 Merel first spotted Lindy Hop at the Breda Jazz Festival, wistfully wishing she could move like that and participate. A genie granted this wish because in Groningen she encountered the same happy faces with that infectious swing music and Merel dove into Lindy Hop like a maniac. She loves switching and both encountering ánd creating surprises on the dancefloor. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀: '𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀' During this taster class Merel & John will share some of their favourite social dance moves with you, guaranteed to spice things up on the dance floor.

Sven & Elena

𝗦𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝘂𝗽𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀 Sven got hooked on Boogie Woogie in 2011 and later added Lindy Hop to this repertoire. In his teaching, Sven values fundamentals as these lift the ease, clarity and dynamics of dancing. 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗶 As a cool little kid, Elena already played around with cool little moves, but it wasn't untill a friend dragged her to an open class at Sugarspin that she fell head over heels in love with dancing. The connections, the way the music informs the movement - and the sheer joy that comes with it; these are things that Elena focusses on. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀: '𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄- 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲' Elena & Sven will focuss on understanding the dynamic you and your partner are in, as it helps in setting up the nèxt dynamic. This skill allows you to become a more intuitive, clear and gentle dancer.

Christa

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘀 Driven by curiosity, Christa began practicing yoga in her early twenties. Over time, this interest grew - and her (literal) journey through various yoga styles brought here to various faraway places. In the end, Ashtanga yoga won Christa's heart - and became a central part of her life. She has since deepened her practice through intensive courses, adjustment training, and restorative yoga. A creative soul, she has also taken up the handpan and enjoys playing it during or after yoga classes, adding a magical musical element to the experience. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀: 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 - 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝘁 In this gentle Hatha yoga class, Christa guides you back into your body and breath. With calming postures and a closing Pranayama (breathwork) session, you’ll release tension, restore balance, and leave feeling refreshed. Perfect for soothing tired muscles and clearing the mind FOR THE SATURDAY PARTY 🎉

The Hop sh Bam
Connection

From the first note to the last stomp, this ensemble plays the real swing from the period between the 20’s and 50’s. Their biggest inspiration is the repertoire of the marvellous ballrooms of the thirties, like the Savoy in New York. But Hop-sh-Bam also interprets the beautiful standards of the big band period or the exciting New Orleans repertoire inspired by Charleston. A swing dancer herself, bandleader Marie-Anne knows how to put an inspiring setlist together, while adapting to what’s happening on the dance floor! So let’s call it: Sugarville will be set ablaze by an excellent band, full of energy, with a big focus on the pure art of swing music. Great to listen to, even better to dance, move and groove to!

Sander ter Veen

Sander started dancing Lindy Hop on his birthday in 2014 in Nijmegen - and co-founded Sugarspin in 2016. He has danced at festivals all over Europe to the bands you might hear him play the night he's DJ'ing. He will start your festival off with some sugary songs and all time favorites.

Elle Brenecki

From a young age Elle was already exploring various dance styles from Modern Jazz to Ukrainian Folk Dance. However, when she stumbled upon Lindy Hop in her hometown of Adelaide, Australia, there was no turning back. Committed to fostering individual expression and improvisation in both Lindy Hop and Solo dance, Elle empowers her students to embrace their unique qualities through movement. Her greatest source of inspiration is the conversational nature of jazz and she continuously strives to deepen her connection to and awareness towards the African American roots of the dance and the music.

Alexander Belyy

Alex's dance journey kicked off in 2014 with Boogie Woogie. A few months after starting, as a joke, he tried to enter a dance competition. It didn't go well the first time, but later his dance excitement brought him national titles in France and Austria, quillifying him for world championships. In 2023, Alex moved to Groningen to start a job at RUG. Inspired by the local lindy hop scene, he decided to step away from competitions and discover the world of lindy hop and social dancing.

Robert Cullen

Robert Cullen started dancing Lindy Hop in 1999. He is a co-founder of Lindy Hop Eindhoven and travelled the world to find the best Lindy Hop teachers and music. Robert has been DJ’ing swing music for many years nationally and internationally, and much enjoyed co-producing the Bernard Berkhout CD “Let’s Dance”. Roberts DJ-style is smooth, groovy and swinging to keep you dancing all through the night.

Lotte Dijkstra

Lotte has been immersed in the world of blues music since 2016. Starting as a dancer, she quickly evolved into a DJ and then transitioned into a musician. With a deep connection to the soul-stirring genre, she enjoys sharing her passion through an eclectic mix of slow, dirty blues tunes that will make you giggle and funky tracks that are sure to get you on your feet.

Arsalan Torke
Ghashghaee

Arsalan will close off Sugarville with a DJ set on the Sunday farewell party. It's Sunday, so he'll go easy on you. Get ready for some classics!