Jazz Addicts track

Sep Vermeersch (he/him) is a unique and committed creative. He’s a passionate jazz, blues & swing dancer and aspiring expert in the matter. When teaching he prefers holding space as a facilitator. It’s all about the ‘jazz’ process: historical context, personal development and expressing your own style while trying to appreciate these African American art forms as a guest.

He knows how to handle the DJ Booth mixing for dancing crowds or to hold a microphone when supporting events as a sensuous MC. Sep also shapes and organizes events and festivals such as Upside Down Festival, Big City Blues or Upside Down @ Gentse Feesten.

The combination of his educational background, playful attitude and daily practice make him a unique person to collaborate with. His curiosity for the deep ways of jazz, humanity and his successful performances in the sector make him a welcomed guest in various projects around the globe.

Kelly Isaac (he/him) started tap dancing at the early age of 4 in the metropolitan area of Washington D.C. At just 13 he began to devote himself professionally. His credits include working as a dancer in the Riverdance Tour, a review of Stormy Weather and National Tap Dance Day with Gregory Hines. He has also worked with the cast of Swing with performances at the Waldorf Astoria and Carnegie Hall in New York and the Tribute to Dudley Moore. Its inclusion in the Broadway cast of Bring in ‘ Da Noise, Bring in’ Da Funk gave Kelly the opportunity to work closely with Ted Levy and Savion Glover. He has also had the experience of working with Henry LeTang , Harold Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers and Diane Walker among many legends of Tap Dance, and has been teaching in 20 countries around the world.

In his classes, Jazz and R&B are the musical selections to help students recognize the importance of the musicality of tap dance. The rhythms of Kelly ignite the spark and creativity to the student’s education. Even if you do not get all the steps, you are guaranteed to leave with the knowledge of something new to work on.

María Ferrer (she/her) & Aurélien Darbellay (he/him): This dynamic duo first crossed paths in the vibrant Lindy Hop scene of Barcelona, where they bonded over their love for swing dancing. Since then, they’ve been dancing and teaching together for over a decade!

With a passion for swing rhythms, deep connection, and the magic of being present in the moment, María and Aurélien are all about exploring the endless possibilities of social dance interactions… and making it swing!

Their approach to teaching is filled with curiosity, dedication, and joy as they share an art form deeply rooted in the African-American community, always mindful of the cultural context and history it represents.

Based in Barcelona, they actively contribute to the local dance community through their school, El Taller, their social and scenic project, Cia Enjazz.

Korantema (she/her) is a dancer from London. After performing in, and co-leading a chorus line troupe for six years, she has been training with Cookie and Her Black Mambas (@blackmambasjazz) a collective led by Lindy Hop legacy holder, Angela Andrew.

Korantema also works as a community dance artist with young people and elders in London.

When she’s not dancing, Korantema is a curator of Anthropology and a zine maker, usually exploring the cultural experiences of Black women.

Stephen Atemie (he/him) has been teaching Lindy Hop for many years in the UK and abroad. He is also engaged in charity projects, such as working with local kids & youth in South Africa, and has performed in multiple films.

Stephen is a  board member of Collective Voices For Change, an ngo that advocates for cultural and racial equity within the Lindy Hop and Jazz scene. For CVFC, he organizes talks and webinars, and advocates for cultural appreciation within the Lindy Hop and Jazz Dance communities.