Laura Halttunen

Laura Halttunen is a teacher specialized in swing & blues dances; she is also a choreographer and event organiser. Laura leads her own dance school Jazz Factory in Helsinki and its performance group Jazz Factory Dancers.  Laura has already 17 years of experience in the field, and she has imported her skills also from elsewhere in Europe. Her own favourite dances are Jazz Roots, Lindy hop and Blues. Laura came second in European Blues competition in 2016 (Berlin Blues Explosion).

Laura teaches different age groups, performers, competitors and dance teachers. Laura has functioned as one of the leading dance teachers in Helsinki as well as a swing & blues scene builder from 2010; she was also an initiator in building the guidance document for safe space in the scene.

Laura is an energetic and lively teacher who caresses you with humour and whips you with technique. Laura has received thanks especially for the clarity of her teaching and her ability to break down the material into bits easily digested, and for her skills in deepening one’s awareness, control and expression of the body. As an experienced choreographer-director, Laura also conjures up stunning performances that make the audience mesmerised, their knees soft and laughter muscles sore.

Pasi Ojala

Pasi has been swing dancing since 2011, and has done well internationally in both lindy hop and boogie woogie competitions. His dance style is smooth and stylish, and may include spectacular show elements.

When teaching Pasi focuses on technique, but in a relaxed and cheerful way. He's both pedagogical and inspiring.