TEACHERS
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Joel De Andrade & Karen Galsgaard
Joel De Andrade & Karen Galsgaard have roots and are pioneers in the Danish Hip Hop scene. Joel has been dancing since 1989 and Karen since 1998. They won the first Scandinavian Battle Of The Year – the biggest breaking title in Scandinavia at the time.
Their experience ranges from battles, shows and theatre to international judging and workshops as well as organising events, community outreach and charity projects.
They have mentored countless students at Hotstepper and overseas, many of whom have become world-class dancers including solo breaking world champion and dancing for some of the most famous international artists.
Joel and Karen have both been nominated for awards for their contribution to the Danish dance scene.
We are proud to have some of the freshest new talent as well as established world-class dancers
Artit Chatthai
Artit is an established dancer and choreographer with international experience from Germany to Thailand and a former Hotstepper Dance Education graduate. He has won many competitions including UDO, Kaufmann Cup, Hip Hop Unite and Hip Hop International DK. He is director, choreographer and mentor for SB Family and he runs a several dance projects such as “The Homegrown Experience”. Artit also has many industry credits, e.g. co-choreographer for Vi Elsker 90’erne Tour, choreographed the dance theater play We Are SB and has danced for Fazli, TopGunn, OMEE and more.
Camilla Siddu
Is a highly skilled dancer & choreographer from Italy. After graduating from Moveon Performing Arts Academy in Milan in 2019, she moved to Denmark, where she became active in the battle scene, started teaching & judging as well as organizing events & choreographing shows. She’s part of the crew Whitenoise and founder of Movers Collective – an initiative supporting the hip hop & street dance scene in Denmark through events. In 2024–2025 she toured 6 countries with her dance theatre piece “So Close, Away”, gaining visibility across the European dance scene.
Catatau
Is a Hip Hop pioneer dancing since the mid 90’s and is co-founder of the legendary Tsunami All Stars crew that had a big global impact on the breaking scene. He also has a background in Capoeira and is an active graffiti artist and DJ. Catatau has over 20 years of teaching experience and has traveled world-wide conducting classes & workshops, mentoring the new generation, both in Brazil and across the globe.
Catatau has battled and worked with dance in South America, Asia, Europe and North Africa. He has competed at top battles winning Battle Of The Year Brazil, 3rd place at the international R16 in Korea, participating at international Battle Of The Year in Europe and judging in Brazil, Europe and Asia at many of the biggest battles. Catatau also has a successful industry career with experience ranging from dancing for Hip Hop legends like Grandmaster Flash & TV performance including for MTV to theatre tours with dance legends, music videos, movies and working with global brands like Coca Cola and Redbull.
Celia Monreal
Is a versatile dancer with forté in Hip Hop, Popping & Locking. Alongside her studies in Dramatic Arts in Spain, she has trained dance at a high level. In Spain and in DK during her time at Hotstepper Dance Education, she has trained many styles and learned from several dance legends. Her experience in Spain ranges from teaching to shows, TV performances and flash mobs. Celia has won and received top positions at several dance competitions. She has battle and dance competition experience in DK and Spain including at Hip Hop International Spain, Rock Da House, Vic Dance Contest, Urban Display, Culture Clash and more.
Daniel Rojas a.k.a. Blaze
Has grown up with breaking in his blood surrounded by several successful breakers in his family. He is a double Danish champion in Breaking and has represented Denmark in qualifications for breaking at the Olympics. Daniel has trained with- and competed against some of the best breakers in the world, and has achieved top rankings including winner of the Respect Culture series and Battle Flag vol 16 in Japan. A career highlight was winning over the Olympic breaking champion in a crew battle. After completing Hotstepper Dance Education he spent a year in Japan with intensive training and battle participations. He represents both Danish and Japanese crews including Jamillz, Now Or Never and Familia Loca Crew.
Datif
Is an experienced professional dancer from Zanzibar, Tanzania that specializes in Afro Beat and Amapiano as well as other African dance styles. Now in Denmark, he is making his mark where he continues to teach, perform and choreograph. Datif embodies the spirit of African dance & culture and loves to inspire others by sharing his energy and passion for dance. He is part of UNLOCKED crew and has credits such as workshops & performances at prominent events in Copenhagen including Distortion, he has collaborated with Nigerian artist 1da Banton and the South African artist Costa Titch as well as winning the Culture Clash Battle at Roskilde Festival.
David Marshal
David Marshal is a strong and passionate dancer with a completed dance education. His experience ranges from music videos, TV and commercials to festivals, shows, concept videos and teaching dance.
David has been in music videos for Medina, Outlandish and Ella Augusta and has danced for other artists such as Toy Box, Elias Buch and AloWala. He has performed at Vild Med Dans (Dancing With The Stars), Vi Elsker 90´erne, Fashion Week, Ung Festival, Red Bull Dance Your Style and also has credits for well-known brands such as Soundboks, Carlsberg and Arla.
Dennisha Mendoza
Is a strong versatile dancer and choreographer that has received training at Hotstepper both at the evening school, at workshops and the Hotstepper Dance Education. Dennisha has been one-to-watch and received an award for her skills and development at the Hotstepper Dance Education. Her experience ranges from music videos, concerts & shows to dance theatre, battles & teaching.
Dennisha has music video credits like Medina, Outlandish, Karen Mukupa, Blak, Brian Timothy, Ailin – Araba 3.0 and other credits including performance for Redbull Dance Your Style, Distortion ALORS on Danse, Trinity Cph, Diamond Platnumz concert and she has choreographed for the Hotstepper Dance Education graduation show.
Eileen Vollert
Is a highly trained versatile dancer & choreographer from France. She has completed a dance education and attended programmes & intensive training in USA at Broadway Dance Center in New York & Millenium in L.A. as well as intensive training in Korea & Japan. Eileen has been teaching in France, Korea, Australia & Denmark, and she has directed, choreographed and collaborated on many dance video projects in Denmark, France & Korea. Other experience ranges from concerts, creative director to performance at shows and concerts as well as being a certified fitness instructor.
Gavin Aquino
Gavin has been dancing since a young age starting with styles such as breaking and hip hop. He has completed Hotstepper Dance Education, participated in several workshops and is now also active in the Danish dance battle scene.
Gavin is a member of the dance group BEYOND BORDERS which is found in both Sweden and Denmark. He is the director of the Danish team, but also goes to Sweden to teach and share his experience. The group focuses on the Korean pop culture and the genres K-Pop, K-hip hop and K-RnB, with which they perform and compete in Sweden. At Hotstepper Dance Education, he has been a co-choreographer for a piece.
Isabel Lippert
Has been active and successful in the dance industry since a young age with experience ranging from fashion shows to music videos and even dancing for the former Danish Queen Margrethe. She has artist credits such as Topgunn, Jimilian, Kesi, Outlandish, Gio, David Jay, Medina and more. Furthermore she has performed at DR Concert House, Distortion, CPH Fashion Week and TV such as Zulu Awards, P3 Guld and X-Factor.
Isabel has on several occasions trained with leading teachers abroad and has lived 10 months in L.A. to train and come home with inspiration to share. She has also competed and won titles in the Danish, European & World Championships, Hip Hop International, Hip Hop Unite and UDO.
Kateryna Pasechnyk
A dedicated and accomplished dancer with over 16 years of experience, Kateryna has a deep love for movement and storytelling through dance as well as a strong commitment to artistic expression. Her dance journey started with Ukrainian Folk dance before moving into Ballroom where she became Ukrainian champion, and later K-pop where she taught at All Stars Dance Centre – one of Ukraine’s leading dance schools. After moving to Denmark, she started teaching and training again including workshops with leading dancers, and her skills gained her a scholarship the Hotstepper Dance Education from which she also received an award for her outstanding talent.
Kateryna has worked with leading choreographers such as Steen Koerner for the piece COMPASSION and has extensive show experience including performing at Amager Bio in the dance theater “HOME” where she had one of the most moving and memorable solo pieces. Her choregraphy skills also got her selected twice for the Choreography Competition at Dansekapellet were she earned 2nd place for her piece “Fight For Freedom”.
Keiran Araza
Mathilde Borg Høj
Is a Hotstepper Dance Education graduate with strong skills in both choreography and freestyle in several styles. She has worked with leading choreographers such as Steen Koerner in the piece COMPASSION and Michel Sian for Mohombi’s music video “Stuck on You”. Mathilde has extensive show experience and has performed in Amager Bio in the dance theater piece “HOME”, AUCTION by Tore Munch & WWF in CPH Zoo, Aalborg Zoo and Odense Zoo and is a brand ambassador for Dansevand. She is also a certified gymnastics instructor and has a background as an elite gymnast where she has performed and won competitions in several European countries. Mathilde is looking forward to sharing her experience, technique and joy of dancing!
Mariama Ambrose
Has been an active dancer since 2000. She has completed both a dance education and several dance-traing trips including to L.A., London, Paris and Senegal. Mariama has been teaching since 2003 including at Hotstepper, Pineapple Studio in London and Circle Studio in Norway. She has a great passion for teaching with experience ranging from beginners to professionals, kids, teens, adults, Christmas events, team building, refugees and social outreach projects.
Credits include Trentemøller, Lucy Love, Dr. Alban, Ace Of Base, Kato, MC Clemens, Alex Ambrose, Johnson, IdaAida, The Benefits, Siemens, IC Companys, Hewlett-Packard and PFA.
Rannvá Klettheyggj
Her original style and passion is waacking but she is a versatile dancer and choreographer who has attended several workshops with high-level international dancers and is a Hotstepper Dance Education graduate. She has been teaching in Denmark at Hotstepper and in the Faroe Islands. Her experience ranges from choreographing for artists, teaching, dance theatre, shows, flash mobs, festivals, concerts, commercials, organizing dance competitions and is also active in the underground battle scene.
Rannvás credits include Alors on Danse at Distortion, RSP, BYRTA, Jillionaire, Gurðið Hansdóttir at Voxbotn Festival, Jórunn Gudmundsen, G Festival, Pride festival, Summarfestivalurin, Besti Dansibólkurin, Faroe Islands Games, Dansieksperimentið Festival in the Faroe Islands, Demmus, Performance for Royal Inncoiffure and Burn Showdown.
Rebecca Kjerstad
Rebecca is a skilled, passionate and charismatic dancer who has learned from leading Danish and international dancers and graduated the Hotstepper Dance Education. She has been teaching since 2016 in commercial and urban styles at several dance studios. Rebecca and has worked with artists and performed at several shows, concerts and charity events.
Credits range from Jimilian, AnneLise, GIO & KDZ, Bogino Clothing, Panorama Festival, Kræftens Bekæmpelse (Fight Against Cancer), Hotskull concerts. She has also been active in the underground scene entering different types of battles such as Clash CPH Cypher, Hotstepper Xmas Jam and That’s Hot Vogue Ball.
Sandra Carstensen
Sandra is a versatile dancer with many years of experience – initially with standard & latin dance on a high level, later hip hop and commercial styles and recently she completed the Hotstepper Dance Education. She has extensive teaching experience and her classes at Hotstepper are in high demand. She is a strong performer with credits such as the Danish Melodi Grand Prix & the Reumert Awards. At the graduation show she also co-choreographed a dance piece. Sandra has participated in dance battles and competitions such as Skvulp Festival Battle, Clash Women’s Battle and European Championships Hip Hop Formation IDO in Holland.
Sitthichai Phuanphimai
Sophie Josefina
Sophie is a strong versatile dancer that has excelled in many styles. She has been dancing from an early age completing dance programmes, training abroad at studios like BASE & Pineapple in London and is also a Hotstepper Dance Education graduate. Her unique talent got her accepted into a prestigious dance agency and several teachers choosing her for lead roles at the Hotstepper Dance Education graduation show “Home” in 2025. Her experience ranges from teaching & choreographing to performances & shows for companies and iconic venues like Tivoli as well as music videos for Mohombi & Blak.
Thomas Hegnet
Thomas from SB Family is a strong versatile dancer and choreographer with international experience from London, L.A, Canada and Thailand. He has completed the Hotstepper Dance Education and received an award for his achievements at the education. His experience ranges from shows, theater and live TV to competitions, workshops and camps.
Thomas has worked with famous choreographers such as Steen Koerner, Toniah Pedersen and Nicky Andersen, has performed at Eurovision, Danish Music Awards, Danish Melodi Grand Prix, Distortion, RNB LGNDS concert warming-up for icons such as Montell Jordan and Genuine, was in the dance theatre shows We Are SB Family and Peace as well as Magic Mike show. He has been active in competitions and is former world champion at UDO World Championship in 2023 and won 2 years in a row at Hip Hop International DK and Hip Hop Unite DK.
Vi Duc Vo
Is a professional dancer from Sweden with strong choreography, performance and freestyle skills. He has attended several dance programmes and completed the Hotstepper Dance Education. His talent has secured him several scholarships including Dancer Of The Year scholarship from Studieförbundet Vuxenskola in Sweden. In industry Vi Duc is part of several renowned dance agencies, has worked with leading choreographers such as Steen Koerner & Nellie Bethel Rainey, and has prestigious credits such as Eurovision and being part of the Cirkusrevyen ensemble as well as performing at the RnB Legends concert. He is also a competitive dancer and was a solo finalist at Sweden Got Talent, qualified to Sweden’s national Redbull Dance Your Style final and won first place at Skapa Dans choreography competition in Sweden.
Xenia Saunte
Is a strong versatile dancer with over 15 years of dance experience. She completed the Hotstepper Dance Education and later specialized in the club dance House. She has learned from icons & legends in USA & Europe such as Sekou, Ejoe, Caleaf, Hiro, Shan S etc, and also attended house courses & intensives in Denmark, Asia and New York. Xenia has also co-organised dance events and is part of the battle scene where she has won 2 house dance battles in Denmark & Sweden. Other experience ranges from music videos, performance & shows in Scandinavia including Refugee Days 2024 & “Fri i Sindet” Festival 2024 as well as teaching & choreographing including for the Hotstepper Dance Education graduation show “Home” in 2025.