We will have eight international instructors this year. They will be announced in April and May.
Kate Hedin and David Rehm (US)
For almost two decades Kate Hedin has taught Balboa and Lindy Hop around the world and holds almost every major championship title in the modern Balboa era. As a teacher, Kate is passionate about pedagogy, lead/follow mechanics as a way of expression, and follower voice as an integrated part of the dance. She is the creator of several groundbreaking DVDs on Balboa Followers Technique and Aesthetics, as well as other online lessons, which can be found at http://www.onlinebalboa.com, and is one of the scene’s top Jewel McGowan experts. She is also a highly sought-after judge and DJ. When she is not teaching dance, she leads a secret double life as a Twitch streamer, that focuses on video games as art, education, entertainment, and human connection. She is *always* ready to geek out about dance, classical music (she has a degree in viola), trapeze, and video games, so please don’t be intimidated by her quiet demeanor and asymmetrical hair and ask her anything!
David Rehm is a professional dance workshop instructor specializing in the partnered swingdances, Lindy and Balboa, and widely considered one of the top Balboa dancers and instructors inthe world. For over two decades he has been regularly featured teaching throughout NorthAmerica, Europe, and Asia. He is also the Founder and Director of The Experiment – “The world’s most personal Balboa/Blues workshops.” Outside of dance, David enjoys learning about and is a passionate speaker on a range of his special interests, including a variety of technologies such as electric micro-mobility and VR & AR; the intersections of language, philosophy of knowledge, and pedagogy; and public education and advocacy for autism, aphantasia, and SDAM. He is also an avid PC gamer who has spoken on the topics of gaming culture and video games as art.
Javi and Lucía (Spain)
Lucía and Javi have been dancing and teaching Lindy Hop, Balboa and Slow Bal together since 2012, abroad and mostly across their motherland Spain. Proud owners and directors of Black Bottom school in Valencia, with more than 500 students, they also organize Valencia Balboa Festival. Their fine technique, musicality and style made them win competitions in international festivals, such as European Balboa Anniversary (Strictly 2018). In classes, they love to focus on partnership and creating an harmonious flow while dancing in couple playing and reacting with each other. They offer students the tools for both ‘leader’ and ‘follower’ to communicate and create together their own steps and variations.
For them, dancing Balboa is a continuous game with music and the fun of jazz dance in its purest form. Be ready for challenging and fun classes with them!
Mickey and Natalia (US / Col)
After a few years of watching Lindy Hop, Shag and Balboa at local swing clubs in Los Angeles, Mickey began his dance education in 1999. After moving to New York, Mickey began teaching local classes for the New York University Swing Dance Society. Traveling between New York City and Los Angeles during this period gave his dance education a unique perspective as he was able to meet and watch the old timers from both coasts on the dance floor. With this education, Mickey gained the confidence and vision that brought him to his first competitions, choreographies and performances in 2001.
Mickey currently resides in Knoxville TN where he continues to travel, teach, compete and perform all over the world.
Introduced to Swing dancing by her dance-enthusiast mother, Natalia attended her first Lindy Hop party in December 2004 in Ottawa, Canada. Shortly after, in the spring of 2005, she discovered Balboa, an experience she often describes as, “Love at first dance.” Mesmerized by her local teachers’ energetic dance styles, and mentored by great second-generation Balboa and Lindy Hop dancers from California and New York City, USA, she dedicated all her free time throughout high school to immersing herself in the world of Swing and Jazz dancing.
Now, with 18 years of teaching experience, Natalia has shared her love of Swing and Jazz dances across Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Western Europe. This summer, she’ll be on her first Asia tour (see her 2024 calendar here).
Known for her lively and technically precise teaching approach, Natalia infuses her dance classes with infectious energy and a passion for the Swing dance art forms. Her dancing style, with roots in Colombian folk and partner dances, evolved through rigorous training in Ballet, Swing, and Jazz dances during her teenage years in Canada. Today, her carefully curated and distinctive flair makes her stand out on the dance floor.
Natalia is a Colombian native and Canadian citizen, currently living in Utrecht, Netherland.
Fancy Dougherty and Adam LaMontagne (US)
Fancy: Juliette S.; Pawel Cegielski – www.pawelcegielski.pl
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Fancy (a birth name) fell in love with Lindy and Shag in 2008, with Balboa trailing not far behind. She’s been hooked ever since, constantly endeavoring to improve her technique on a never-ending quest for connection, improvisational freedom in social dancing and the true jitterbug spirit. She has performed, competed in and taught Lindy, Balboa and Shag all over the world, was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2014 and is a five-time winner of the National Jitterbug Championships in the shag division. She loves to dance with new people and beginners, so be sure to ask her to dance!
Adam LaMontagne has been a favorite with Oslo Balboa Weekend going back over many years with his partner Sanna. He will bring his well structured classes, dynamic Bal-swing and love of social dancing again Oslo Balboa Weekend again!
Oslo Balboa Weekend 2024 