Teachers

Geneviève Vermylen is one of the founders of Apollo Swing, which began in 1996. It was her passion for the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s which naturally led her to Lindy Hop. Taking her first swinging steps at Herrang Dance Camp - arguably the most famous Lindy Hop festival in the world - she soon began travelling the world to train with and learn from top instructors.

Since 2016 Elise has been running one arm of Apollo and loves organising almost as much as dancing! Passionate about developing her skills across a wide range of swing dances including solo jazz, Charleston and Balboa, as a teacher Elise wants to bring this passion and enthusiasm to her students, and believes very much in making swing dancing accessible and fun for anyone brave enough to try it!

He introduced Lindy Hop in Belgium together with Geneviève, resulting in the creation of Apollo Swing in 1996. For over twenty years, Didier has been spreading his cheery disposition and sharing his talent in Belgium; both in Lindy Hop classes, and on the social dance floor. He remains as passionate as at the start of his career, and is always on the lookout for new inspiration.

Coming first from the Rock ‘n’ Roll world, with her father being the lead singer of the Belgian Blues-Rockabilly Band, The Wild Ones, Morganne spent all her life listening to Gospel, Swing, Blues, Rhythm’n’Blues, Country, Rockabilly and Rock’n’Roll. She grew up as an Old Soul, always attracted to and fascinated by things from the past; specifically, it was her love for African-American Culture that led her Lindy Hop.

Jerôme started dancing at Apollo Swing in 2012 and has been hooked ever since. He loves movies, good beers, otters, and of course - swingouts.

Helena has a passionate, creative personality. She worked for a well-known fashion designer and co-founded a dance school, of which she was the creative director and a full-time instructor. Inspired by the style of the early 20th century, Helena is now exploring retro hair styling, make-up (Retro Lena) and the design and making of retro clothing. If that were not enough, Helena also completed an intensive Yoga teacher training and currently teaches weekly Yoga classes. After retiring from dance for a few years, Lindy Hop reignited Helena's passion! It's not only the cheerful energy of the dance, but also the style, setting and atmosphere that make her heart pound faster. She has been an instructor at Apollo Swing in Mechelen since 2015.

It all started with a fifties Fiat 500 - since then Verdiana has lived a life of vintage passion: from clothing to hairstyling, furniture and music. So it wasn’t long until she discovered the Lindy during her work as a vintage hairdresser for Radio Modern. Once she got the bounce in her bones, her life changed completely! You can regularly see Verdiana popping up at social dances in Belgium and attending international dance camps and workshops, catching the eyes of the innocent bystanders with her Italian-style Lindy moves. When it comes to swing dancing, for Verdiana it’s all about having fun and moving your body to the music. Musicality is the key for two individuals to become one on the dance floor.

Sven took his first dance steps as a teenager with the slow waltz, quickstep, jive, and disco swing. As a young adult, he stopped dancing because of judo, paragliding, canyoning, and to take care of his family. But a passion for dancing was always in Sven’s blood: a few years ago, together with his partner Elke, he discovered the joys of Lindy Hop and began taking classes at schools across Belgium to develop his skills. Now not a single day passes without him being occupied by Lindy Hop. The social dance floor is his habitat. Sven likes nothing better than passing his passion for Lindy Hop on to others.

Giorgia started dancing swing in 2016 in Zurich by learning Lindy Hop and Shag almost at the same time. Dancing became soon an obsession, and she started moving around Europe from festival to festival to learn as much as possible from a variety of teachers and explore different styles. Along the years, Giorgia studied also Solo Jazz, Tap and Balboa, digging more and more on how to connect body movement with music. Understanding what makes the dance feel good is a never-ending journey that she keeps on looking for. Giorgia’s natural dancing role is follower, but she recently discovered the beauty of leading both in Shag and Balboa. A mixture of technique and feeling comfortable on the social dance is what she wants to pass on to other dancers.

Since a young age, Maroine has loved engaging with all the performing arts. Today, he is an actor, director, theater facilitator, violinist, oud player, and dancer with the swing performance troupe Jazz Maniacs. In the professional Belgian theater community, Maroine is often seen as an actor who performs as if he were dancing and making music. Although he primarily makes a living from theater, in every creation he undertakes, he likes to invoke and combine all his expertise from other artistic disciplines. When he first watched the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers dance in the 1941 film Hellzapoppin', he was not only impressed by their bodily technique. What struck him was how these African American dancers transformed their bodies into rhythmic musical instruments and the dance floor into a theatrical stage where colorful characters met, soaring like acrobats with immense freedom of movement and spirit. Maroine fell in love with the swing universe and quickly realized that this type of dance would allow him to enjoy his three passions simultaneously! His dream today is to see dance floors transform into grand theatrical stages where adults allow themselves to play together like children.

Janis is a 22 year old dancer from germany, which started with Boogie Woogie in 2016. He danced Boogie Competition until 2023 and won the German and the Worldchampionship in Boogie Woogie Juniors in 2021 with his former dance partner Paulina. When Paulina quit dancing in january 2024, Janis discovered the Funkdance Locking as a new love and started exploring in the Lindy scene. He developed a unique dancestyle by combining elements from Boogie,Lindy and Streetdances and is very happy to continue his journey with the Jazzmaniacs in Brussel.

Clara has been dancing since she was 4 years old and discovered Collegiate Shag in 2018. Since beginning her shag journey, she’s developed a passion for the dance's energy, musicality, and connection. She started competing in 2019 and has since reached the finals at several shag festivals. She trains, competes, and social dances whenever possible, always looking for opportunities to grow and share her love for Collegiate Shag.

For Caroline, dance is all about rhythm, connection and absolute freedom. Her passion first ignited at the age of fifteen to the electrifying sound of rock ’n’ roll. But it was in 2018 that she truly fell in love: after moving to Brussels, she discovered Lindy Hop. Always eager to explore new worlds, she discovered Blues in 2022 while spending a chapter of her life in Barcelona. This intimate, understated dance naturally became an extension of her practice, adding a new dimension to her style. Back in Brussels, this true enthusiast does more than dance to the music—she lives it wholeheartedly, allowing every note and every break to guide her steps. To her, the dance floor is a magical playground, a place of spontaneous improvisation and complete freedom. Far from fixed routines, she sees swing as shared laughter: the purest expression of oneself, where body and melody come together in joyful harmony.

Benjamin had a love for music and dancing since childhood, but it never played a central role in his life. However, this changed in 2019 when he discovered Lindy Hop at Apollo Swing Leuven. He was captivated by the beauty, playfullness and freedom that Lindy Hop offered, and it quickly evolved into his most passionate hobby. Socials, workshops, and international festivals have become an integral part of his life growing his knowledge about the dance. In the end, Lindy Hop became for him a source of joy and strong friendships. With his love for teaching and the motivation to share the beauty of Lindy Hop, he aims to introduce others to its wonderful aspects, grow the community, and share his knowledge.

Ann-Sofie has been dancing and playing music since an early age. Fan of jazz music, she couldn’t be satisfied in just listening and got acquainted with the movements and rhythms of swing. She dived right into the Lindy Hop and solo jazz world in 2020 in Ghent, and never turned back. Ann-Sofie kept learning and showed a major interest in the origin and cultural aspects of African-American swing dance and music. Personal expression, musicality and connectedness are essential to her. She not only inspires the students in her class, she is also actively involved in Upside Down, organizing many blues and Swing events. She performs regularly herself and enjoys going to festivals in Belgium and abroad."

Originally from Greece, Anastasia discovered swing dancing in 2017, when she joined Cretan Swing Shots, a self-organised swing dance team within the University of Crete. There she took her first steps not only as a dancer but also as a volunteer teacher of Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz. After a few years away from the dance floor, she moved to Belgium for her Master’s in Biology and soon found herself swept back into the vibrant Belgian swing scene. Since June 2024, she has been training with The Jassettes, a Brussels-based female performance troupe, deepening her technique and stage presence. Anastasia draws inspiration from original clips, loves the energy of fast tempos, and has recently begun exploring the rhythms of tap dance. She is excited to share her passion, musicality, and positive energy in the classroom while encouraging students to stay curious, playful, and connected to the roots of the dance.

He's all about mixing styles! Bauke started his swing dance career with Lindy Hop in 2015, and has since discovered the joyful energy of Shag, the blazing fast elegance of Balboa, and the smooth connection of Blues. Nowadays Bauke mainly gets his kicks from dancing to crazy fast swing music, but a nice creative Lindy Hop dance with great connection also fills his dance heart with joy. When Bauke isn't traveling to various dance festivals, he loves to share his passion with newcomers, both by teaching dance classes, and by organising parties in Leuven and Mechelen. Don't hesitate to come ask him for a dance!

Helena is living proof that dance is not reserved for the athletic or the artistic. With a highly technical mindset and no background in sports or dance, she had always considered herself clumsy. In 2024, as a newcomer to Belgium navigating significant life changes, she was simply searching for an enjoyable way to stay active when she discovered Apollo Swing. What she found was far more than she expected. Lindy Hop quickly became more than a hobby. It became a vibrant community of inspiring people — a source of joy fueled by music and movement, a space for exploration, freedom, and play, and a way to reconnect with both body and soul. If you believe dance isn’t for you… she once believed that too.

Martin discovered Lindy Hop in 2013 with the much inspiring Sep and Leni and never stopped dancing since. He continued the learning process thanks to the follows met on the dance floors across Europe. What he particularly likes in Lindy Hop is the connexion, the musicality, sharing joy in a partner dance. During his many stays in Herräng, he was drawn into the historical context in which Lindy Hop was grounded in Harlem. He loves creating a well meaning and joyful context during his lessons, allowing the participants to gain in confidence and develop their competences as dancers.

Yana discovered Lindy hop in 2010 and has since danced all around Europe and taught in Bulgaria and Scotland before moving to Belgium. She loves looking for fun, musicality, and connection, the intuitivity of following, the responsibility of leading, and the freedom of solo jazz. She's also passionate about contributing to the community being more inclusive and honouring the roots of the dance. She enjoys being a beginner at other dances and thinking about teaching techniques and embodiment.

Jazz and music enthusiast. Dancing and singing since forever. From pop and street dance to African dance styles, and since 2018, fully immersed in the world of swing jazz and blues. For her, dancing is pure mindfulness, but also a creative expression of personality — a way to step “out of the box”, guided by the music’s theme, connecting with yourself and your dance partner. Dance enriches life on every level. Connection is the common thread in all her classes: connection with your body, the music, your partner, and everyone on the dance floor. She loves encouraging people to step outside their comfort zone and express their authentic selves through dance. Seeing smiling faces — that’s what it’s all about. All of this is rooted in the rich cultural values of blues and swing jazz.

Three years ago, after an intense year with a newborn and a full-time job, she discovered a new passion: Lindy Hop. Very quickly, she began taking part in classes both as a leader and as a follower, depending on the needs of the group. What started as an occasional replacement for fellow dancers soon turned into stepping in for teachers. “Lindy Hop brings joy to everyone, and the music instantly lifts the spirits — it’s exactly what people need, isn’t it?” She can no longer imagine her life without this dance. Her warm personality and great social skills are very appreciated.

Leen has always loved dancing, but when she discovered swing dances some 10 years ago, they slowly but surely began taking over her life. She started off with Lindy hop, but soon also found her way to Collegiate Shag, Blues, and Balboa. What makes her most happy today is mixing and matching all the different swing dances! Next to dancing, she is really fond of the swing dance community. Although she greatly values technique, she is of the opinion that swing dances are in the first place meant to faciltate connection between people and enjyoment of the music!

ORNELLA MICKIE Visual artist based in Brussels, Ornella Mickie is also a dancer, performer, and teacher of Lindy Hop and Jazz. Deeply inspired by Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the Harvest Moon Ball, Spirit Moves, and vintage films featuring the great African American masters, she also draws strength and inspiration from the women of jazz in the 1930s, such as Consuelo Harris and Mable Lee. With a background in gymnastics and tango, she found in Lindy Hop a space where rhythm, theatricality, and personal expression come together. Ornella is a member of the jazz performance troupe The Old Soulz, and performs and teaches both in Belgium and internationally. As a teacher, she is committed to sharing her passion through a mix of technique, challenge, joy, and individual creativity—always honoring the cultural roots of the dance she loves. INSTA : @ornella_mickie

In 2018 he discovered Lindy hop and was immediately attracted by the way people enjoy the music while sharing body patterns in joyful and energetic ways. Swing dance was definitely the perfect combination between technique, flow, playfulness, acrobatics, improvisation and self expression. 

Bára Hrebackova is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher specializing in tap dance and solo jazz. She performs as a solo artist, with live bands, and as part of dance ensembles. She also creates original choreographic work and has coached tap dance for a range of theatre productions. She teaches regular classes and workshops in Brussels and Liège, focusing on musicality, rhythm, improvisation, and the cultural roots of jazz dance and tap. In classes, Bára strives to create a comfortable learning environment in which students learn to develop independently while establishing a connection to the community, tradition and cultural heritage of the tap dance art form. https://www.barahrebackova.be/

Vincent started his Swing journey in 2018, where he had the chance to start classes alongside many other talented and soon-to-be amazing dancers. He took advantage of the opportunity to practice as much as possible, while accumulating experience and resources from parties and festivals around the world. He got so passionate about the dance and its history that in parallel to Lindy he learned Shag, Balboa and even started tap dancing. His source of inspiration is most and foremost found within the Brussels scene, which he cannot get enough of the authentic and powerful energy. Coming from a "9 to 5" office type of job, he is grateful for all the good things Swing dance brought to his life and he cannot wait to share his passion with newcomers.

Aurore discovered the world of swing somewhat by chance when she tried a Lindy Hop class in 2018. What was meant to be just a one-hour class per week quickly developed into a passion that has continued to grow, and nowadays, there is rarely a day when she isn't dancing. Gradually, she experienced the joys of solo jazz, balboa, shag, blues, and even tap dancing! Aurore recently joined the chorus line group of the Jassettes and is eager to continue learning more about the history and culture of dance. You will regularly find her on the dance floors in Brussels, where you should not hesitate to invite her for a fast feet or a blues dance.

A curly film director - aka Belgian Ginger - with a background in tango and a severe lindy hop and jazz addiction. Only started dancing lindy hop in 2022, but has been burning his shoes on many social and festival dance floors ever since. Member of the Brussels based Jazz Maniacs performance group. A sucker for slides, storytelling and creative silliness on the dance floor. His big dream? Directing a lindy hop film, of course.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in modern languages and spending many years immersed in ballet, modern dance, and theatre, Luisa recently arrived from Italy, eager to deepen her dance skills and expand her cultural knowledge of jazz history. She discovered Lindy Hop through one of her three sisters, inspiring her move to Brussels to join the Jazz Maniacs crew while pursuing a master’s in Performing Arts. Luisa is passionate about helping others find their personal style and strongly believes in learning from the greatest performers of the past by watching old clips. She aims to bring this philosophy into her classes, seeing teaching as a way to share and grow alongside her students. With her joyful yellow shoes, Luisa is ready and waiting for you—and for the music to begin!

Elena was born in Sicily and theatre was her first love. Although convinced that she couldn’t dance, a year after she moved to Brussels, in 2011, she registered with the Apollo Swing School for Lindy Hop classes. She was immediately hooked and a few months after her first class, she was already participating in international lindy hop, jazz solo, Charleston and blues workshops. She is aware that she still has a lot to learn about jazz and swing history and culture, of which she considers herself to be an attentive observer. In her classes, she aims at sharing her passion and help make everyone feel confident and happy while dancing. Jazz, swing and blues express values she strongly believes in, such as authenticity, freedom and a sense of community. As Elena explains, theatre was the place where she started looking for herself, and Brussels is the city where she can travel through various cultures and get inspired by them. “Jazz is an endless journey which started from my ears, infiltrated my body before reaching my soul.”

Sander started dancing after the summer of 2016. A fun new hobby, which soon got slightly out of hand and turned into a dedicated passion. Classes, socials, festivals at home and abroad. Studying old clips. Spending as much time as possible on the dance floor. So much to discover! In addition to teaching, Sander is also active in the Ghent scene. As administrator of the Gentse Hoppers website and co-organizer – together with Marie – of the weekly Friday training where they both enthusiastically continue to share and deepen their passion.

With a backpack full of classical and contemporary dance, musicality, a touch of folky vibes, and a deep love for live music, Marie found her way into the vibrant international lindy hop scene in 2018. After countless lessons, workshops, festivals, and performances, this swiveling scientist continues to marvel at and delve into the many facets of this dance style. Always present on social media and also a co-organizer of Ghent training sessions to further share the inspiration, energy, versatility, and connection that make lindy hop so special.

Raphael discovered Lindy Hop on the streets of Lisbon and was instantly captivated by its joy and energy. After beginning his training in Belgium, his curiosity led him to Asia, where he immersed himself in local communities and explored different schools, teaching styles, and philosophies of the dance. These experiences continue to shape his approach and deepen his understanding. Back in Belgium, he is an active member of the swing scene in Ghent, where he regularly social dances and organizes initiatives that foster shared learning and mutual inspiration among dancers.

Serge started swing dancing in the 2000s, shortly after Swing started in Brussels. After nearly 13 years of Lindy-hop, he began to take an interest in Balboa and it was love at first sight. In 2017 he set himself the goal of developing the balboa scene and began to give lessons. Since then he has not stopped and you can find him everywhere where there is the possibility of dancing. He started swing dancing as a hobby but it became a passion for him. He takes great pleasure in dancing and teaching, and sharing his passion with everyone.

Evelyne began her dance training at an early age in classical ballet at the Royal Conservatory of Dance in Brussels. She later broadened her artistic journey by exploring a wide range of dance styles, from contemporary and African dance to Egyptian dance, developing a rich and sensitive approach to movement. In 2016, she discovered Lindy Hop during a class taught by Elise and Didier. That first encounter marked the beginning of a genuine passion for the world of Swing, a passion that has continued to grow ever since. Keen to learn from the very best, Evelyne travelled across Europe to attend numerous international festivals. These experiences allowed her to refine her technique, deepen her musicality, and enjoy unforgettable artistic and human experiences. Actively involved in several aspects of Swing dance, she was also a member of the chorus line troupe 'Les Jeannekes' in Brussels. It was Balboa, however, that truly captured her heart with its elegance, technical precision, and deep musical connection. Always smiling, attentive and supportive as a teacher, Evelyne places each student at the heart of her teaching. She strives to create an environment that is inspiring, welcoming, and accessible to dancers of all levels.

From the age of six, Charlotte could be found in various dance classes — from ballet to streetdance, from jazz to other solo styles. At twenty, she stepped away from the dance world, unsure if she truly belonged there. But one moment in 2017 changed everything. A Lindy Hop initiation and social dance gave her exactly what she had been looking for: incredible music, a welcoming community, and a dance style that combines partner connection, improvisation and expression. With a background in education, she shares her love for dance with anyone eager to learn. Her classes blend technique, flow and connection with a healthy dose of humor, making every session both insightful and fun. She continuously deepens her knowledge through masterclasses, dance festivals and educational trainings. While Lindy Hop is her main focus, she also explores Blues, Shag, Balboa and African dance styles. For her, dance is more than just movement — it's a way to bring people together, to feel at home, and to create lasting friendships. She strengthens the local dance community in Leuven by organizing socials, parties and workshops.

Pauline discovered Lindy Hop during her studies in Scotland and Germany. Fascinated by the rich culture of the swing era, she fell in love with this energetic dance and its warm community. Back in Belgium, she practices Lindy Hop on a weekly basis, focusing on developing her musicality and creativity. By attending international workshops she keeps inspired by the art of body movement, improvisation and connection. Having a good time and spreading the joy of the dance is her ultimate goal.