artists
teachers
TEACHERS
ORNELLA MICKIE & BAO
Ornella Mickie (FRA) is a visual artist but also a dancer, performer and teacher of Lindy Hop and Jazz from Brussels. Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, Harvest Moon Ball, Spirits moves, old movies from the great African American masters are her sources of inspiration.
With a background in gymnastics, classical dance and Tango, she flourished in Lindy Hop in their rhythmic and theatrical aspects. She’s part of the Jazz troup of performance “The Old Soulz”. She performs and teaches in Belgium and abroad. As a teacher, Ornella wants to share her passion by combining technique, challenge, individual expression and joy !
Bao (BEL) discovered not just a means of self-expression, but a therapeutic journey that shares boundless energy In the rhythmic embrace of jazz partner dance. After an extensive exploration into various dance forms and trying to find a continuity across many disciplines, he ultimately found his way in the roots of swing dance, matching his energy to the rhythmic groove of the bebop and hard bop tunes. Drawing inspiration from all these experiences along the way, he infused the dynamism of diverse styles into their swing dance repertoire by creating a harmonious blend of movement and expression while still staying true to the essence of the authentic jazz dance.
Designer by day, dancer by night, Bao is also part of the Jazz Maniacs and the Old Soulz performance groups. Beyond his own dance research, Bao extends his passion for movement by teaching at a local level, aiming to introduce fresh dancers to the vibrant Brussels dance scene. His approach focuses on the core of the practice, he believes in the power of dance that goes beyond the empirical learning of steps. It is all about embodying the essence of the dance and allowing the body to speak a language of its own.
TEACHERS
Jana Měchurová & Francesc Bujosa
Jana Měchurová (CZE) is a lindy hop, aerials and solo jazz teacher and choreographer from Brno, Swing Wings. She started doing ballet and contemporary when she was 4 years old but for a lot of years, she was in love with folklore dance. She danced in a professional folklore ensemble for many years, she learned there how to perform, present herself on a stage, how to work with a big dance group, etc. All this time she has been also learning different types ofdance till in 2013 she has discovered lindy hop and hasn’t been able to leave it ever since.
Dance is an important part of her life. Dancing to the music and communicating with each other is what makes swing dancing so special. It’s important that each person finds their own voice and style within the context of the dance, learning to share that with others, because everyone has something unique to bring to the dance. Mostly her classes are concerned with how to connect dance more with music, enjoy your dancing and have fun.
Francesc Bujosa (ESP), was born and raised in Mallorca, He began dancing Authentic Jazz (Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz, and Tap Dance) just over a decade ago in Barcelona. In 2017, he had the opportunity to start teaching regular Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz classes, and he soon turned it into his way of life.
Currently, he is doing teaching residencies in various European countries, working with different local communities. He also regularly takes part in both national and international festivals—whether by competing, teaching, learning, or simply enjoying social dancing.