Here we present the first teachers who will help you develop new skills in February 2025. Each of them brings their own unique style, energy, and passion. In the coming months we will reveal more teachers. Keep an eye on our website and socials!

Level 1

Saskia Sportel

Saskia has been dancing and teaching Balfolk for many years. She is fond of both couple dances and regional dances with collective roots. She is very happy to share her experience with us. This weekend she’ll be joined by Maya van der Loos.

Saskia’s workshop style is often described as open, clear, and refreshing. She creates a safe environment where personal attention and encouragement take center stage. With handy tips and a touch of humor, she ensures that everyone learns with joy—both in the workshop and on the dance floor.

In the Level 1 workshop on Saturday, she will teach the basics of the common dances in balfolk, including steps, figures, and the always-useful fundamentals of leading and following. The program includes group dances, line dances, and partner dances. She will also explore a few variations so that you can start having fun with those and give you an idea of what you might encounter ‘in the wild’ on the dance floor.

With practical tips and tricks, Saskia and Maya will help you step onto the dance floor with confidence, in sync with your partner, and most importantly, with lots of joy.

Saskia will also teach a Level 4 workshop on Sunday.

Level 2a

Louise Marius

Level 2b

Rafael and Nele

Rafael Correa Prieto and Nele de Beck met on the dance floor. There was an instant connection, and since then, they’ve been traveling the dance world together. They dance for the joy it brings, but they also aim to share their vision of dancing with others. Their vision revolves around concepts such as feeling, musicality, body awareness, and playing with your dance partner. They believe that dancing isn’t about practicing pre-determined steps and movements, but about finding the freedom to ride the waves of the music and harmonize with other dancers.

Level 3/4

Koen Dhondt

Koen (Antwerpen – 1977) was introduced to folk dance at the age of eleven. In 2000 he discovered the balfolk scene while studying in Portugal. Since then he participated in several dance festivals and stages every year and developed his own way of dancing. To contribute to the development of the Belgian folk scene, he has been teaching weekly dance classes in Brussels since 2002. Koen has his own company, Frisse Folk, which organizes dance lessons throughout all of Belgium. He taught workshops at many festivals and stages all over Europe. From the very first Dansstage in the Netherlands he has been popular amongst the Dutch dancers and we are very happy he is a regular guest!

Hanne Kinne

Hanne Kinne has been dancing for as long as she can remember. She grew up in a folk dance family and soon took her first dance steps during one of the trips abroad with folk art group Tijl Uylenspiegel. Dancing became her second nature. As a young teenager, she co-teached children’s groups and a few years later, adults as well. The experience she gained during various courses, exchanges and trips abroad always gave her a piece of individuality, which she could use to make her own creations for her dance groups.

Pierre Chesneau

Join us for an enriching dance experience with Pierre, a seasoned dancer, teacher, and facilitator passionate about cultural exploration and dance pedagogy. With 27 years of expertise in folk and various physical practices, and 15 years of experience teaching Bal folk and Argentinian tango, Pierre brings a wealth of knowledge and deep appreciation to the dance floor. His methodical yet dynamic style ensures every dancer can find their missing puzzle piece to advance their journey in the joy of shared movement.

This year, Pierre offers four advanced workshops, each focusing on a different topic, that together form the foundations of his new holistic approach: ‘The Cheno Folk Method.’ Rather than simply teaching specific dances, this method aims to help participants develop the essential skills to become better learners and dancers overall, providing a toolkit to discover and explore any folk dance. The method rests on four pillars: Musical Placement, Physical Organization, Connections, and Cultural Analysis. Through Pierre’s four workshops at Dansstage, you’ll have the opportunity to explore each pillar and understand the method as a whole.

You can choose individual workshops or attend all four for a complete perspective on this innovative approach. Either way, Pierre’s guidance will inspire confidence and creativity in your dance journey!

Dani Velasco

Dani started music at the age of 7, and since then, the violin has been a life-partner for him. He was born in the Basque Country, where he lives now and has lived most part of his life. This land is a rooting land, that he loves, that is rich and unique in its character, language, landscapes, idiosyncrasy and of course… music and dances. In Basque they say: « dantzatzen duen herria ez da inoiz hilko » (a people that dances will never die). But from these roots Dani also had the chance to find the wings of travelling and discovering Europe and its cultures, living abroad for around 10 years (Belgium, France and Switzerland), and getting submerged in the rich Balfolk world, where he has a passion now to share his roots…

Fabien Bucher

He started music early, with the classical violin and the guitar. But it was only at the end of his studies that he discovered the richness and diversity of dancing music. The encounter with Balfolk has been a source of joy, profound changes and inspiration for him as a human and a musician!
This is why after more than ten years of attending balls, festivals and multiple workshops as a musician and dancer, it’s a pleasure to transmit some of what he learned. And it’s also an opportunity to explore a field that fascinates him, which is pedagogy!

Loby Lam

Loby is a passionate movement artist and founder of Kahbam in Enschede. Since 2013, he has been creating a space where different types of movement come together. His mission is to bring people closer together through playfulness and authenticity, allowing them to express themselves freely.

Maxime Chevrier

Maxime takes you on a journey to the islands of Noirmoutier and Île d’Yeu, as well as the mainland of Vendée. These regions each have their own unique dances. With his extensive knowledge of these dances and their regional variations, Maxime brings geography to life on the dance floor.

In addition to his passion for dance, he also plays in several bands.

Clément Le Goff

Clément takes you on a journey to the Upper Brittany region. His workshop will introduce the amazing diversity of dances from this area. Clément is also a member of the band Trio Forj, which will perform during the open ball!

Wim Scherpenzeel

Wim has nearly 50 years of dance experience as both a dancer and a teacher. He has trained for years with top specialists and has performed countless times in various theaters, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Through a journey that included teaching ballroom dance, being part of a rock ’n roll demo team, and practicing folkloric dance, he eventually found his way to balfolk. He is bringing along his youngest daughter, Leora, who has also been performing in various groups for years, so she, too, has plenty of experience.