Artists

Sanna has been dancing Balboa since one fateful night in northern Finland in 2003 involving a box of wine and VHS tapes from All Balboa Weekend. Since then, she has sworn off boxed wine but remains deeply passionate about Balboa.

You can find her on dance floors all over Europe, teaching, dancing, and generally goofing off with her balpals.

With an active imagination and a keen eye for technique, Sanna brings good vibes, fresh inspiration, and insightful solutions to the classroom. She loves helping dancers find new possibilities in their movement while staying true to their own style.

Adam was seduced by swing dance over 30 years ago, and the love affair continues to this day. Originally from the US, he has been living in Finland and dancing around the world since 2010.

An avid social dancer, he is always looking for new inspiration, whether on the dance floor, in the classroom, or in the occasional overly specific metaphor.

In class, Adam is known for his sharp eye, bad jokes, and ability to make complicated ideas click. He brings a playful, analytical approach to teaching and enjoys helping dancers find both clarity and freedom in their dancing.

Nothing brings Irina (she/her) more joy than sharing a dance and building community. Since discovering Lindy Hop at 15, she has been a lifelong lover of social dancing — a passion that grew to include Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Solo Jazz, and West Coast Swing. Raised in Southern California, she feels fortunate to have learned in a scene shaped by some of the world’s finest dancers, teachers, and musicians.

Irina’s dancing has since earned recognition at Camp Hollywood, the International Lindy Hop Championships, the California Balboa Classic, and All Balboa Weekend, and she is honored to be a member of both the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame (2019) and the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame (2022). She has also taught across the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Just as meaningful is her work in Salt Lake City, where she co-leads Salt City Swing with her partner in both dance and life, Anthony Chen. Investing in her local scene — teaching, organizing, and creating space for others to connect — has been one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.

As a teacher, Irina strives to be patient, encouraging, and approachable. Her goal is to inspire students to value the foundations and culture of these dances while also celebrating individuality, expression, and confidence through movement.

Mickey Fortanasce (USA) has dedicated 27 years to dancing, teaching and competition. His passion for dance ignited during his teenage years in Los Angeles, where he was captivated by the rhythms of Balboa and Lindy Hop within the city’s vibrant club scene. His dedication led him to pursue his college education at New York University, where he further honed his craft by becoming an instructor for the NYU Swing Dance Society. This phase of Mickey’s life was characterized by the exhilarating experience of traversing the bustling dance scenes of New York City and his hometown of Los Angeles. These travels provided him with a unique perspective, allowing him to observe and learn from seasoned old timers on both coasts, enriching his dance education.

As Mickey’s journey progressed, he forged a dynamic partnership with the accomplished modern dancer Kelly Arsenault. This partnership laid the foundation for a remarkable collaboration that culminated in numerous triumphs at prestigious competitions. Their careers as Swing dance instructors flourished after repeated victories at the Balboa Rendezvous’ International Balboa Championships, the only competition to date where dancers perform at the Balboa Pavilion in the presence of an audience of invited old-timers who watched and judged.

As a Balboa dancer, Mickey has garnered numerous accolades throughout their illustrious career. Most recently, achieving victories at California Balboa Classic’s Invitational Mix and Match in 2023 and the Hot Rhythm Holidays Invitational Mix and Match in 2024. Additionally, some of Mickey’s favorite wins include three victories at Balboa Rendezvous’ International Balboa Championship, the All Balboa Weekend’s American Classic Balboa Championship and the Routine division, European Swing dance Championships and the International Lindy Hop Championships.

Mickey’s expertise extends beyond the dance floor, as they have imparted their knowledge to a global audience. Their appearances have been featured in esteemed publications such as NBC’s 1st Look, Time Out New York, The New York Sun, and Good Day New York.