The HaniBal Balboa Dance International Festival brings together an exceptional team of world-class Balboa instructors. Our teachers are renowned dancers, competitors, and educators who have dedicated themselves to preserving and evolving the art of the Balboa. With extensive experience in social dancing, competitions, and international workshops, they are committed to providing high-quality instruction for dancers of all levels.
Each instructor brings a unique style, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for sharing their expertise. Whether you want to refine your fundamentals, explore intricate footwork, or develop your musicality, our teaching team will guide you with insightful techniques, personalized feedback, and inspiring lessons.
NATALIA RUEDA
Natalia Rueda was born and raised in Colombia, spent her teens and twenties in Canada, and is now happily based in the Netherlands.
She discovered Balboa in Ottawa, Canada, in the spring of 2005 and instantly fell in love with the dance — a connection she still describes as “love at first dance.” Guided by second-generation Balboa dancers from California, she quickly evolved from passionate student to local instructor, earning her first Canadian Balboa Champion title in 2010.
For more than two decades, Natalia has taught and coached dancers across North America, Central America, Europe, and Asia. Drawing from her Colombian folk roots and training in ballet, swing, and jazz, she is known for her expressive movement, refined technique, and warm, energising teaching style.
MICKEY FORTANASCE
After a few years of watching Lindy Hop, Shag and Balboa at local swing clubs in Los Angeles, Mickey began his dance education in 1999. After moving to New York, Mickey began teaching local classes for the New York University Swing Dance Society.
Traveling between New York City and Los Angeles during this period gave his dance education a unique perspective as he was able to meet and watch the old timers from both coasts on the dance floor. With this education, Mickey gained the confidence and vision that brought him to his first competitions, choreographies and performances in 2001.
Mickey currently resides in Knoxville TN where he continues to travel, teach, compete and perform all over the world.
SANNA LEINONEN
Sanna and Adam have been dancing and teaching swing together for more than ten years. During this time, they have become well known for the joy and skill that they bring to the social dance floor. Mostly partial to lindy hop and balboa mix & match competitions, they have taken numerous titles individually at events such as The Snowball, European Swing Dance Championships, and Balboa Castle Camp, as well as placing in various events in Europe and the US.
In the classroom, they emphasize a solid mix of technique and playfulness resulting in a dynamic and personalized approach to musicality and movement that is accessible to all dancers.
ADAM LA MONTAGNE
Adam and Santa have been dancing and teaching swing together for more than ten years. During this time, they have become well known for the joy and skill that they bring to the social dance floor. Mostly partial to lindy hop and balboa mix & match competitions, they have taken numerous titles individually at events such as The Snowball, European Swing Dance Championships, and Balboa Castle Camp, as well as placing in various events in Europe and the US.
In the classroom, they emphasize a solid mix of technique and playfulness resulting in a dynamic and personalized approach to musicality and movement that is accessible to all dancers.
JENNA APPLEGARTH
Jenna Applegarth found swing dancing in 2004 in her small local scene of Wenatchee WA. Since then she has spent countless hours expanding her dancing repertoire and sharing her love and knowledge of these dances with others.
Her energy and passion create the perfect environment for learning.
Jenna has attended, coordinated, and taught various workshops and exchanges all across the globe. Some of her favorite highlights are performing at Benaroya Hall in The Jump Session Show and teaching for Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing. Above all else, she believes that learning to dance should be fun, and rooted in music and history.
With over 15 years of teaching/coaching/training experience, she loves finding new ways to connect with other dancers on the floor and in the classroom and to create challenging yet applicable lessons in the classroom.
VASU SHARMA
Vasu Sharma discovered Swing Dancing at the University of Florida and has been hooked ever since. His dedication to the art takes him around the globe to dance socially, perform, compete, and teach in Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. Renowned for his precise technique and enthusiasm for swing dancing at any tempo, Vasu loves pushing the boundaries with unconventional rhythms, shapes, and connections.
With a special affinity for Pure Balboa, he constantly seeks to innovate and redefine traditional dance partnerships. Whether he’s dancing all night on the social floor or rigorously training for competitions and performances, Vasu’s passion for swing dancing is evident. A lifelong learner, he is equally passionate about sharing his extensive knowledge with others. Vasu finds his home in Berlin where he constantly finds inspiration and often shares his love for Swing dancing.
