Meet the teachers
Full pass & extra workshop teachers
Ana Maeso & Alberto Meucci
Ana Maeso (ESP)
Ana is a guest in Afro-American dance culture: a social dancer and teacher from Granada (Spain), currently residing in Berlin, where she is the founder of Rayuela Swing, the school where she teaches and organises events.
Her classes focus on communal sharing—learning by trying, with more dancing than explanations. In her classes, she strives to create an environment where partnered and solo dance feel like an exploration rather than a mechanical repetition of patterns.
Her approach to the classroom is guided by her belief that, by approaching the dance with humility and respect, we can honour its legacy and share its beauty with others in a meaningful and authentic way.
Alberto Meucci (ITA)
Born in Italy, Alberto discovered swing dance in 2015, and he hasn’t stopped since. Shortly after beginning his dance journey, Alberto started traveling to various festivals across Europe, where he learned from different artists and participated in competitions. Following a couple of residencies in Budapest and Vilnius, he has now made Warsaw, Poland, his home/dance base, teaching at the dance school ShimSham.pl.
While he still enjoys competing and “throwing down” on the dance floor, his favorite moments are undoubtedly spent social dancing. Alberto finds inspiration in every lindyhopper he meets, as each encounter on the dance floor brings something new. Dancing fuels his energy and curiosity, driving him to continually explore the history and culture of the dance. His pockets are filled with rhythmic variations and… jokes 😉
TEACHERS
Full pass & extra workshop teachers
Pavlína Korcová & Victor Hristoskov
Pavlína Korcová (CZE)
Pavli is a swing and blues music enthusiast and vinyl collector who loves to dance to all tempos of these music styles, whether solo and with a partner. She is one of the co-founders of Swing Wings Brno, and her experience includes building a dance community, sharing ideas about dance, and traveling internationally to conduct workshops across Europe and beyond. And it has already exceeded a decade!
In classes, she is known for questioning the power dynamics between dance roles and looking at the dance beyond the moves. The community and social aspects of dance have always been crucial for her. She also believes that dancing and building this community is one of the most beautiful and positive forms of activism.
Victor Hristoskov (BUL)
Victor has been immersed in the magical world of dance since his
teenage years. His journey began in Ballroom dancing, training with one of the top Ballroom teachers in Europe. His curiosity led him to take classes in classical
ballet, contemporary, commercial hip-hop, and Broadway jazz.
Eight years ago, by chance, he discovered Blues and Lindy Hop. He’s falling in love every second with the freedom of the music which invites you to feel, to connect and to express yourself in the dance. He sees dance as a form of communication, beyond the moves and strict roles —
often searching for unexpected and metaphorical ways to explain his ideas and
share that spark.
As a multi-style dancer, Victor brings a wealth of stage experience in both dance and musical productions, most recently in the musical “The Book of Dreams”. He is also part of the organizational and instructor team at Lindy Hop Bulgaria.
Performance class teacher
Majda Stanojevic
Majda Stanojević (SRB) is a passionate swing dancer, performer, and educator from Belgrade, Serbia. She fell in love with Lindy Hop in 2017 and has since dedicated herself to mastering and sharing this joyful dance. As a co-founder of Hoppin’ Swing, Majda has helped shape the local swing scene in Belgrade, building a thriving community of dancers.
Known for her smooth, playful, and improvisational style, she draws inspiration from street dances to enrich her movement and rhythm, inspiring students to explore their creativity and connect with the music. Through her classes, she focuses on building connection, rhythm, and confidence, encouraging students to find their unique voice in swing while honoring its rich history.
On Friday, Majda will be leading a solo jazz performance class where you will learn a routine and bring it to life on stage the very same night. The class is included in both the Full Pass and Party Pass, so everyone is welcome to join and perform.
Meet the musicians
FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT BAND
The Big Five
Inspired by the wild hot sounds of 1930s/40s Harlem, Kansas City and Chicago jazz, The Big Five have established themselves as Berlin’s most authentic swing-era combo and for the last 6 years have thrilled dancers and audiences in 20 different countries around the world. Combining a driving rhythm section, a fiery horn-led frontline and dynamic song-arrangements, this international band makes a deep-dive into the ornate and irrepressible repertoire of the Swing Golden Age – as well as a strong emphasis on original compositions. Ranging in size from the core quintet to the full septet lineup, The Big Five are veterans of Berlin’s famed Lindy hop and Balboa dance-halls and know how to turn a mild-mannered dance party into a raging frenzy of swing-outs. With their sharp vintage attire, explosive energy, and an intense passion for authentic swing-era jazz, these cats will certainly make you jump for joy!
FRIDAY NIGHT BAND
MELLOW 5
We’re kicking off the festival with the smooth and swingin’ sounds of Mellow 5. With a mix of new faces and familiar ones, Franjo, Gabriel, Mirko, Jakov, and Adriano are here to get your feet moving and your soul groovin’. Get ready to be wrapped up in their mellow magic — it’s time to swing, sway, and smile the night away!
SUNDAY NIGHT SUPRISE
MIRKATZ
As the festival winds down, Mirkatz takes the stage for a soulful solo set filled with chilled, bluesy vibes. With his guitar in hand and a heart full of groove, he’ll bring the perfect cozy atmosphere to end the weekend. Let his smooth tunes and gentle rhythms carry you through the final dance of the festival — we hope to have you smiling all the way home.
HERE TO KEEP YOU DANCING
DJs
DJ Adam
DJ Vladi
