Teachers

Lisa and Fabien have been teaching blues together since 2011. In these 15 years they have taught all over the world and over time have found their own unique style. They love all styles of blues music and feel passionate about training and developing their own dance to keep evolving as dancers and teachers.
Their fun natured teaching style, yet ability to breakdown a movement, means their classes are a perfect mix for those wanting to progress their dancing. Constantly pushing themselves in their own dancing means they understand the work that goes into becoming a better dancer and are passionate about sharing their experiences and helping others to achieve their goals.

Nicolas and Alina are a Rennes-based blues and swing duo who’ve been building their dance universe together since they first met in Minsk in 2015. In their classes, French charm meets Eastern discipline in cosy, talkative sessions where people laugh, share stories, then quietly sink into the music together.
Drawing from tango, hip-hop, classical and contemporary dance, as well as years of swing and blues, they play with body mechanics and aesthetics in a way that honours each dance’s heritage while staying rooted in feeling and self-expression. Based at Dance Addict, the school Nicolas founded in 2014, they grow their local scene, teach across Europe, collect competition prizes, and constantly dream up new projects inspired by travel and exchange.

As an instructor, Mike strives to create a learning environment that is fun, challenging, and inclusive. The goal is for each individual student to find their next step forward and enjoy that process of growth. Mike loves seeing students’ eyes light up when they understand a concept or feel a movement work naturally in their body for the first time.

Mike has taught dance in over 20 countries. He currently teaches Lindy Hop, Air Steps, Solo Jazz, and many different Blues styles. Mike has not only won respected competitions across multiple genres but also thrown down hard in unofficial late night dance-offs.

Mike lives and breathes dance. He is constantly honing his skills and developing new ideas. If you run into him at a grocery store, an airport, a museum, or a mountain top, you’ll probably catch him dancing.

Chris began her dance journey in 2019 and quickly fell in love with swing and blues. Having spent part of her childhood in East Africa, she developed an early connection to rhythm and movement that continues to shape her dancing. Starting from Lindyhop socials in Leiden, she explored styles like Collegiate Shag and Balboa before finding her true home in blues.

Blues resonates deeply with her, and she is committed to honoring its African American roots through curiosity, respect, and continuous learning. Known for her expressive style and musical connection, Chris regularly attends festivals and competitions to refine her craft. As a teacher, she helps dancers build confidence, connection, and joy through musicality and personal expression.

Elise Reilingh is a versatile and enthusiastic dancer and theatre-maker who loves to create performances that incorporate physical theatre, text, music and dance. She started performing at a young age and recently graduated at the Paul van Vliet academie, specializing in the Dutch performing art ‘Kleinkunst’. Furthermore, Elise has a lot of experience teaching. Besides working as a music teacher she also teaches classes and organises workshops in multiple styles of swing dancing. She is super excited to be invited back to Trippin’ Blues to once again teach the Cabaret track.