Nefeli is passionate about Rhythm n’ Blues, has a deep appreciation for Hard Bop, and loves delving into the vibrant world of Afro-Cuban rhythms. Her sets wouldn’t be complete without timeless Classic Swing tracks.
Nefeli is passionate about Rhythm n’ Blues, has a deep appreciation for Hard Bop, and loves delving into the vibrant world of Afro-Cuban rhythms. Her sets wouldn’t be complete without timeless Classic Swing tracks.
Remy Kouakou Kouame, also known as Remy KouaDJo, is a renowned figure in the world of dance, blending elements of Swing, New Orleans, Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Amapiano, and more.
As a DJ immersed in Hip Hop culture, Remy transitioned into Swing dance, teaching and competing globally. Amidst the pandemic, he felt a void and reintroduced mixing tables, figuratively and literally, birthing the Xperience.
Remy strives to bridge vintage and modern Street Dances, creating a unique and immersive journey for his audience.
Spanish National Television has referred to this Boston born Jazz Show woman as “One of the most versatile artists on the Spanish scene.” T.J. Jazz has worked as a vocalist, dancer and instructor with a broad range of artists, delighting audiences of Jazz clubs, festivals and events throughout Spain, Europe and the U.S.
T.J. Jazz is also the founding director of the MAD TAP FEST: The Tap dance festival of Madrid & the MAD TAP JAMS, events that laid the early groundwork for Madrid’s tap dance community. It is through these events that she has had the privilege of presenting many talented artists and performances to audiences. She is excited to bring that experience to Athens Rhythm Hop this weekend and hopefully bring just a little more joy to the happiest people in the world.
Marie has been dancing almost as long as she has been walking, training mostly in modern Jazz. She fell in love with Lindy Hop and other African American Vernacular Jazz dances in 2006.
A true scientist (She obtained her PhD in Neuroimmunology from Karolinska Institute, Stockholm Sweden in 2018), Marie loves history and facts. She has been applying her scientific method and dance education to conduct an embodied practice-based research of Jazz dance through the study of original video clips and collaborations with many established dancers. She has also researched the cultural and social context of the Jazz dance era through literature study and interviews of artists. Her main focus is on the African American Jazz Women and Chorines (chorus girls) of the time.
Marie worked and danced with the fantastic teachers of the Cat’s Corner Studio in Montreal, Canada and Chicago Swing Dance Studio in Stockholm, Sweden. She also teaches internationally, in France, Spain, England, Australia, Russia, USA, China… as well as at the world famous Herräng Dance Camp
Currently, Marie is a board member of the newly founded Black Lindy Hoppers Fund (an organization dedicated to support African and African diasporic dancers and artists in Lindy Hop and Jazz). She is also leading a new non-profit organization, Collective Voices for Change.
As an MC or DJ, Meghan works to make sure both the music that makes us swing and the people in the room have all the respect they deserve. Meghan is a Canadian lindy hopper who has been part of the global swing scene for fifteen years. You may have met her near a microphone or DJ booth at such places as Herrang Dance Camp, the International Lindy Hop Championships, Lindy Focus, Lindy Shock or Lindy Bout. If you haven’t met her yet, come say hello and strike up a conversation about Count Basie or the future of swing dance.
Rikard Ekstrand was first inspired to start dancing in the early age of seven. Today it’s his life and his way of living. Best chance to see this dancing creature is to visit Stockholm, Sweden, were he’s most often found. His focus in swing dancing and teaching lies in the art of rhythm, music and partnering. Except from swing dancing, Rikard is a quite well known street dancer in Sweden. He sees swing dancing as an artform and a culture legacy. Recreation of old techniques and styles is what makes Rikard go wild. He calls himself a student more than a dancer. “In the school of dance and rhythm you will never be fully skilled”. In 2006 Rikard started his cooperation with the Harlem Hot Shots and in 2008 he became a member.
Rikard also have a passion for competition, in which he has a long list of titles in both Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie.
Mikaela was born in Stockholm, Sweden and grew up with a love for music and dancing. She first got in contact with Lindy Hop in the late ninetees and already then she felt extremely at home with the dance. Throughout the years Lindy Hop and other related dance forms have kept on growing on her and she finds it to be an endless source of inspiration. The more she learns about the music and its history, the more she enjoys it and the more she wants to learn.
Mikaela has been performing in different settings since around 2005 and especially enjoys the theatrical aspects of dancing. She finds the richness of jazz dancing a great form of expression, on and off stage.
Mikaela is happy to share anything she can about the dance, in and outside the classroom.
Pamela has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She did traditional Lithuanian folk dancing for years, until she found her passion in lindy hop at the age of sixteen.
In 2009, she began working at Hoppers’ Dance Studio in her hometown of Vilnius, Lithuania, where she surrounds herself with rhythm on a daily basis as she practices, performs, and teaches lindy hop and vernacular jazz. Pamela Gaizutyte is one of the most exciting followers to burst onto the international swing scene in recent years. Her creativity, personal style and sense of musicality are an inspiration. . Pamela enjoys spreading the joy of dance and sharing her knowledge, and is excited to travel to new and faraway places to do so.