Teachers
Trisha Sewell
Trisha Sewell has over 30 years of experience in the Swing and Blues dance community, known as an instructor, facilitator, and cultural storyteller. Deeply connected to the Black British Blues scene, she brings authenticity and a personal perspective to her teaching.
Her work focuses on connecting historical context with lived experience, particularly exploring the African diaspora’s relationship with Blues music in Europe. As a Black British dancer, she highlights the evolution of British Blues alongside its African American roots.
She also studies improvisation, drawing on her Caribbean and African heritage. Trained by legends like Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, she directed a Lindy Hop school for over 20 years and organized major Swing events. She is also a pioneer of workshops focused on the role of “following.”
Today, she shares Blues with energy and cultural depth, fostering connection, history, and expression through dance.
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Dexter Santos
When Dexter Santos discovered Blues dancing in 2005, he was immediately captivated by its emotional depth, storytelling, and powerful rhythms. With a background in Ballroom and Lindy Hop, he immersed himself in the art form, studying and collaborating with leading Blues dancers and teachers, becoming one of the most sought-after instructors on the national and international scene.
As a teacher, Dexter inspires dancers of all levels while honoring the roots, identity, and cultural richness of Blues. He travels across the U.S. and worldwide sharing his passion through engaging, dynamic, and challenging classes. His signature solo choreography, the “Hound Dog” routine, has been taught and performed by dancers across four continents.
An accomplished competitor, Dexter has won numerous Blues titles since 2007, including three Ballroomin’ Blues championships at bluesSHOUT. In 2010, he achieved the unprecedented feat of winning all four partnered divisions at bluesSHOUT in Austin, solidifying his reputation as one of the leading figures in Blues dance.
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Gas & Maria
Annette Kühnle
Annette lives in Heidelberg, Germany, and is one of Europe's most prominent champions for blues dance.
As a teacher, dancer, DJ and organizer, she has been spreading her love for early Black American dances in general and blues dancing in particular for almost two decades, and is renowned Internationally for her expertise, dedication, energy, and kindliness.
Her infectious appreciation and passion for blues music, dancing and history shines in every step she takes and every lesson she teaches.
Bibi
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Edmilson Botelho
Luísa Barros
Lays de Sousa
Born and raised on the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, Edmilson Botelho has always been immersed in music, drawing inspiration from the vibrant rhythms of African traditional dances such as Usôa, Puíta, Funaná, Cadence, Kizomba, Semba, Kuduro, and many other African styles, as well as POP dance.
His dance journey began at the age of 17 when he moved to Porto, Portugal, and discovered his passion for Lindy Hop and Blues Dance.
His dedication to the art of dance eventually led him to become one of the partners at Hop Dance Studio in Porto, where he shares his love for movement and rhythm with others.
As a passionate dancer and teacher, Edmilson embodies the spirit of dance, finding joy in every step and rhythm. With his captivating energy and charismatic personality, he creates an atmosphere of fun and humility wherever he goes, inspiring others to feel the rhythm and express themselves through movement.
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