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“I have always done a variety of sports, but I only dared to dance as an adult. Despite this, competition and performance stages have become familiar to me. Ten years ago, I was irrevocably bitten by the dance bug during a reggaeton course at the Helsinki Adult Education Center. Since then, I have mainly danced reggaeton, oriental dance and Indian dances, but have also tried other genres. Dance is now an important part of my life, combining culture, music and exercise as well as continuous learning, friends and community. I hope that my classes will have a sweaty, happy and relaxed atmosphere. Let’s enjoy rhythm and movement together!” Photo: Auvo Takkinen

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“I took my first dance class at Jyväskylä Dance Academy when I was 7 years old. I started with jazz dance and have since danced many different styles, from hip-hop to tap and from dance theater to street dance. Over the past ten years, oriental dance classes have found me, and a few years ago I became interested in reggaeton. Dancing brings me great joy and I hope I can convey that joy in my classes. In my dance classes, you can have fun, enjoy movement, learn new things, be unfinished, authentic and proud of yourself!”

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Päivi is an oriental dancer with an international career, known worldwide as Hadassa. She has danced and taught oriental belly dance since the 1990s and has learned from, among other places, Egypt. Päivi has worked as a solo dancer and dance teacher in Bangkok for 14 years, including 7 years as a dance instructor and choreographer for Thai beauty pageants. She also had her own dance studio in Hua Hin. Päivi has been involved in various oriental dance and show dance ensembles and has danced in television commercials, films and dance theatre productions. She has performed at private events for the Thai royal family, among other places. Päivi holds a Master of Philosophy degree, and her extensive studies in various dance and body care disciplines have led her to develop a therapeutic teaching method that takes into account the holistic health effects of oriental dance on the body.

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“I have been dancing reggaeton for ten years. I got my spark for dancing at the Helsinki Adult Education Center, where I attended reggaeton courses. As a dance teacher myself, it is important to me that the classes have a happy atmosphere. I am encouraging, careful and energetic. I want to get to know my dancers and I enjoy helping them realize something about their own bodies or how the body can be used in dance expression.”

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Jennika is a group exercise instructor who received basic dance instruction at Sonja Tammela's ballet school and continued with contemporary and jazz dance. She has completed a professional degree in physical education and various instructor trainings, including Nia (white, green, blue, brown and black belt), TimeLessBody, Etnobik and Balletone. Jennika has taught Nia all over the Helsinki metropolitan area. In her classes, she wants to create a safe and positive atmosphere, where everyone is welcome as themselves. In Nia, Jennika fell in love with its holistic nature and naturalness. "I found a completely new kind of joy and love in dance," she describes her feelings. Photo: Henri Hellsten. Read more dancingmind.com

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“I have been dancing for as long as I can remember and have tried many styles, but I fell head over heels in love with salsa from the very first step! I began my passionate journey of discovery into Cuban dances 15 years ago and soon after starting salsa classes I went on my first trip to Cuba. I recently graduated with a Master of Political Science from the University of Helsinki with a major in Social and Cultural Anthropology. In my dance classes I always try to share cultural knowledge: when studying dance, I think it is important to know what the dance says about its culture of origin. At the Helsinki Adult Education Institute, I have taught salsa and reggaeton. I am attracted to their energy, joy and rhythm in both styles; how the body reacts to the rhythm of the music and how it is produced. I find salsa to be more sensual in terms of movement and rhythmically challenging, while reggaeton is more tongue-in-cheek. According to the students, I challenge them, but also have fun in the right proportion. The atmosphere of my classes is praised relaxed and accepting. However, it feels best to hear that my passion is being shared: “It’s wonderful to dance under the guidance of a teacher whose love for the sport is evident!”

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I am a supportive and positive dance teacher who graduated from Savonia in 2023. I love meeting people and am inspired by the joy of learning and teaching. I have trained all over the world, including at Harvard and Boston Ballet. I also have a show competition background and have created several of my own choreographies. I find it meaningful and inspiring how I can constantly be impressed by the many possibilities of dance and the professionals and students I meet. I want to be a warm companion and source of inspiration who encourages everyone to find their own strengths. As a teacher, I give a lot of feedback and due to my sensitive nature, I am skilled at recognizing and expressing uniqueness regardless of dance background. I offer a safe atmosphere and memorable experiences of success. I want to challenge both beginners and more advanced dancers physically. I hope to be able to give everyone something important – at best, the experience that your own body is valuable and wonderful, and that it is possible to grow towards your own goals. In my classes, you don't have to be afraid of failure, but the most important thing is to boldly be your wonderful self.

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“I started my dance studies at the community college ballet classes in Rovaniemi when I was 7 years old,” Susanna says. “I graduated from the Theatre Academy with a Master’s degree in Dance Arts and later completed a Klein technique teacher’s degree. I became interested in the functionality of the body’s anatomical structure in relation to movement, and through the Klein technique I discovered the connections from the floor through the body to space. I learned to identify the body’s deep supporting muscles and their role as a lineman of our bony structure and a mover of the body. The ballet’s standing movement sequences provide a great opportunity to nurture the connections between the body’s bony structures. I enjoy working with adult students and feel that I can be myself naturally, without a strong role as a teacher. The interactive togetherness and sharing of things is truly rewarding. It is important to remember that getting to know our own body and its wisdom through movement brings pleasure. Regardless of how high the legs rise or twist open or how many pirouettes each person does, everyone has the right to fully enjoy the aesthetics of ballet.” Discover the office’s Venlan blog post about adult ballet beginner courses.

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"Hi, I'm Matti and I teach beginners and advanced beginner courses in contemporary dance. I am a dance teacher by education (BA) and I am currently finishing my master's degree in dance at TeaKiss. ​​In my contemporary dance classes, we move holistically, utilizing body weight and gravity, and we do diverse exercises and dance sequences on the floor and overhead. My courses always have a happy, energetic atmosphere and a sense of doing. Come join us, it would be great to see you there dancing with me and others!”

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Annina is a teacher who moves between different dance and movement practices and cultures, and her strongest expertise is related to African dances. She has worked for a long time as a dance teacher and Pilates instructor, and has performed in several African dance and music ensembles in Finland and abroad. Having studied dance and cultural studies in a variety of ways, Annina has trained on numerous study trips to different parts of Europe, West Africa and Latin America, delving into West African, but also more broadly African dances, music and cultures. Annina's goal is to create a relaxed and open atmosphere in the classes, where everyone is seen and feels welcome. The things that are important to her in teaching are conveying the joy and community of dance, encouraging interaction, presence and self-expression, and understanding rhythms and cultural connections. Read what our service and administration manager Venla wrote About Annina's Afrobeats course.

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“My passion for dance and the power of femininity began when I discovered the enchanting world of oriental dance. When women gathered to dance, I noticed a change as they found a connection with their bodies and their own feminine expression. I have been a dancer and teacher of oriental dance for almost 20 years. Somatics and my versatile work as a Method Putkisto deep-stretching, Pilates and facial clinic instructor have brought more dimensions to my work. As a teacher, I get excited when I get to inspire people to experience the joy of dance. It is important to me to create a space where everyone can find a connection with their own body in a new way, whether it is through dance or a moment with their own beauty.”

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