Teachers
Vaiva and Collin
Vaiva has been in love with blues dancing for the past six years. Not only dancing but also singing with VAIVA’s BLUES, makes her an active and vibrant part of the international blues community. In her classes, Vaiva often hums tunes and bringing joy to her students is a number one goal. She has also tasted success in international competitions, but her true focus in dance lies in enjoyment and letting movement flow naturally. To Vaiva, dancing is about freeing the mind and living in the moment, creating harmony between music and movement. For her, the blues is a feeling and an opportunity to merge with the connections it offers — whether with oneself, the music, or a dance partner.
Collin got hooked to swing and blues dancing in 2015, mainly focusing on his love for the blues in the last couple of years as an international dancer and teacher. Being a drummer as well, he has a close relationship with the rhythmical foundations of all kinds of music, which is visible in his dancing and is always present in his teaching. His love for the diversity in blues developed, extended and made him look for more inspiration on the timeline of African American vernacular music and dancing, such as different styles of afro, funk and house. All to take it back to the dance floor. Collin is also an actor and therefore he knows how to make things playful.
Lotte and Wouter
Lotte found out about swing dancing when she was asked to tour with a New Orleans jazz band as a dancer. When Lotte Dijkstra moved to Amsterdam in 2015 she could finally dive into swing and blues dancing and started teaching soon after.
In her classes, she likes to help you find your own style in dancing and challenges you to find the best ways to connect to the other dancers and the music. As a blues musician, she brings a unique perspective to helping students delve into the topic of musicality in blues dancing. She loves a good whisky and song lyrics that make you giggle.
Wouter’s path to Blues Dance started in Rotterdam, but his understanding of movement began much earlier with gymnastics as a kid. His early training gave him a strong sense of body awareness, which he now channels into his teaching. Wouter is known for his infectious energy and enthusiasm, focusing on the fundamentals of Blues Dance while emphasizing the
importance of simplicity and a strong partner connection. For Wouter, the diversity of Blues music is a key element, and he strives to show his students how varied and expressive Blues Dance can be.
Lotte and Wouter have been teaching blues dance together for over six years, sharing their love for this art form and building a vibrant local community. For them, blues dancing is more than just a dance; it’s a way to connect with their own emotions, the music, and fellow dancers.