Rising Stars track

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.