Staff

Our pros

Semion Ovsiannikov &
Maria Elizarova

* They love Finland already *

Semion has been dancing ever since he was eight. He started with ballroom dancing first, then got into social dancing, and finally into West Coast Swing. He is known for his musicality and great connection with his partners. Maria has been dancing since 2007. In 2008 she fell in love with social partner dances. She started learning hustle/discofox and salsa. She had been dancing hustle and discofox for 4 years, working on her solo choreography as well when West Coast Swing came in to her dancing life. After that she couldn’t stop dancing WCS. She enjoys the versatility of the dance, bringing new emotions, options for musicality and styling to every dance. Semion and Maria were the first Russians to ever get to US Open Classic finals in 2016, 2017, 2019. They also got the second place at The Open Classic finals in 2018. Their partnership emphasizes technique, musicality and connection. They love the possibilities for communication and dialogue between partners during every dance, and seek to help their students discover this incredibly fun aspect of WCS. They share a philosophy that care and attention are the best things partners can give to each other during any dance.

Tze Yi & Dalena

* Second time in Finland *

Tze Yi and Dalena began their WCS journey 10 years ago, coming from the Street Latin world of Salsa and Bachata. They were inspired by Jordan & Tatiana, and took on the daunting task of starting WCS scene in Singapore from scratch. Over the past 10 years, they have built a small but
closely-knit scene of Westies, and also organize the Asia WCS Open, the very first WSDC event in Asia. They are also the first dancers from Asia to
compete at the Champions division.

With a combined 30 years of teachingexperience, Tze Yi & Dalena bring a unique, fun and approachable perspective to WCS, and their classes are perfectfor social dancers whowant to master their craft, with lots of laughter along the way.

Chuck Brown

* Almost a Finn *

Chuck Brown is a current Champion level dance competitor with over 22 years of experience. He is recognized as a top international dance instructor/coach, head judge, NASDE Circuit and US Open Certified Primary Judge, DJ, event promoter, community builder and business consultant. Chuck has been the head judge at over 200 events worldwide and has helped train hundreds of judges and competitors.

As a dancer artist, Chuck is known for his musicality, creativity, versatility, and especially, his amazing lead. He is incredibly passionate, emotional and tough technical teacher who cares deeply about his student’s dance and life goals as well as their friendship; it’s evident in his workshops and private lessons; He pours his heart into his job and many people around the world say that his passion, knowledge, spirit, and love for helping people is one of a kind.

Lauren Jones

* Second time in Finland *

Lauren got into West Coast Swing back in 2011 aged 19 thanks to her wonderful mum but moved to Vietnam shortly after. 5 years later, she scooted over to Singapore, fell in love with WCS again as well as the community there and social danced her heart out before making her way through Europe in 2019.

Although she has dabbled in salsa and bachata on a social level, it is WCS that has her hooked. She loves the balance between connecting with a partner on the floor and the freedom of self-expression, all to a wide range of music genres. She is over the moon to be working with the inspiring dancers of the community and her aim is to leave each person she dances with smiling, be it at her or with her!

Hanna Ojanaho

* Part of Finnish dance culture*

Hanna is a Finnish dancer, dance teacher and performer who started her dancing journey at 9 years old doing various solo dance styles. The biggest love of her dancing life was born when she was introduced to dancing with a partner. So much so, that eventually she studied herself a degree in Bachelor of Culture and Arts, graduating as a dance teacher in 2010. Since, Hanna has been an active part of Finnish dancing culture, teaching and sharing her love for connection, musicality and technique all over Finland.

WCS was introduced in Hanna´s life 2013. She was mesmerized by the playfulness and the level of communication in the dance and got hooked right away. Hanna and her then dance partner brought WCS to their then hometown Oulu and started to create a community of WCS dancers there. In class, it is important for this bubbly, expressive teacher to have a relaxed learning environment as well as a strong pedagogical approach to teaching.

Tom-Elbin Bendheim

Tom-Elbin started his West Coast Swing journey in 2015. He already had some experience from other dances, like bachata and Lindy hop, but when he started with WCS, it seemed like a whole new world had opened up for him.

Tom-Elbin has a bachelors degree in training and performance from Norwegian School of Sport Science. Through this he has a solid understanding of the human body, its biomechanics and its functions.

Tom-elbin teach weekly classes at Bårdar dance academy in Oslo, where he continue to spread his love for the dance community and the dance itself. Tom-Elbin competes in the All-star division.