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

Adam Yaqoubi

Adam is the first male dancer from Denmark to study dancehall in-depth. He was introduced to Dancehall in DK, has previously been in the Jamaican Rifical Team and has trained intensively in both DK and Jamaica. He has travelled several times to Jamaica to learn and experience the authentic and rich dancehall culture. Adam founded Diversity Skankaz, a dancehall crew working for dancehall in Denmark. He has taught workshops and classes internationally and in DK. In class he aims to spread good energy and that students get the right knowledge. Adam has danced/warmed up for artists like IceKiid, Izzy, Okay Funky, Felicia Baby, Mr. Eazi, BRO and Madam Akothe from Kenya. He has performed in TV and events including ZULU AWARDS, Distortion, AfroBeat Madness and Dancehall Madness.

Anastasija Olescuka

One of DK’s leading female hip hop and urban dancers and a graduate from one of the first years of the Hotstepper Dance Education. She has credits like CLASH CPH artistic director, The Nutcracker, judge at World Of Dance (WOD) DK, danced for hip hop legend Big Daddy Kane, performed at Ladies of Hip Hop (USA) and her choreography piece ANTS was selected for the SubUrban Dance Festival. She has won several battles including SDK Baltic, Urban Dance Meeting and Prop Challenge for Hip Hop Games DK 2 years in a row.

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.

August Mailand

August is a world-class dancer who recently returned home after several years abroad with a successful dance career. His experience ranges from music videos to TV shows, theater productions and tours.

August completed the Hotstepper Dance Education and started his career in DK where he danced in theater and for various artists. He further pursued his dance dreams and moved to London, then New York and on to L.A. where he also completed the Dana Foglia Mentorship Programme. He then worked for several years in Berlin as a professional dancer.

August was part of the world-famous Magic Mike Live shows including stand-in for the main role. Other credits include Infernal, which he has also toured with, as well as Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi, Cirkus Revyen, Zulu Comedy Gala, X-Factor, Zulu Color Run and Fashion Week. August has taught in DK, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and England – including at the renowned BASE Dance Studio and Flying Steps Academy.

Celia Monreal

Is a versatile dancer with forté in hip hop and choreo. 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.

Ciara Blankenship

Ciara is a strong is a strong, versatile dancer with star-quality. She has been dancing since a young age and has always had dance dreams. Ciara has learned from many leading dancers in and outside of Denmark, she has 2 dance educations including Hotstepper Dance Education and she has also trained in France and USA. She can freestyle and choreograph getting the essence and feeling of the styles and can deliver high-level performance on stage. Ciara has danced in music videos, TV, concerts, festivals, battles and is becoming a popular dancer in industry. She has credits like Christopher, Karen Mukupa, Boye & Sigvardt X MAGNÜS, Frederik Leopold, Grace Carter, J Wild, Amro, Yakuza, Nick Jones, Jimilian, Gio, Navid, Micheal Williams and Baby Bino as well as TV credits like Guldtuben and TV2 De Største Øjeblikke.

Colosal

Colosal grew up in Congo with dance as part of his culture. He specialises in Afro styles and has made a name for himself in the Afro scene with his classes and workshops in DK, Sweden, Spain and Italy. Colossal has participated in various competitions in Congo, DK and Sweden with top high ranking results including winner of “Afia Presents” battle with afro dance in Sweden. He also has experience with dance theater in Congo and DK, e.g. Tivoli’s Pantomime Theater with the world-renowned choreographer Steen Koerner. Colosal has also performed at fashion shows and with artists from around the world such as Singuila from France, Yemi Alade from Nigeria and Mims Beyana from the USA.

Dennisha Mendoza

Is a strong versatile dancer and choreographer with full power. She has received training at Hotstepper both at the evening school, several 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 – finally she will be teaching permanently at the evening school. Her experience ranges from music videos, concerts, teaching at several schools, dance theatre and she is active in the underground battle scene.

Dennisha has credits such as Distortion ALORS on Danse, Trinity Cph, Karen Mukupa music video, Diamond Platnumz concert, Ailin – Araba 3.0 music video, Brian Timothy music video and has choreographed for Hotstepper Dance Education graduation show.

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. 

Julie Marie Nissen

Julie Marie belongs to the best of a new generation of Danish urban dancers and choreographers. She choreographed the winning show at The Choreography Competition in DK, choreographed and danced for Djämes Braun, was co-choreographer of STOR – finalists at DK Got Talent. She toured with Infernal and danced for other top Danish artists like Medina, Nabiha, Mø, KNA Connected, Blak and Jimilian. She has also danced at The Voice ‘ 16 and X-Factor. Julie Marie has completed the Hotstepper Dance Education, attended other intensive courses, workshops and travelled to London and L.A. in connection with dance training.

Keiran Araza

Is a strong, versatile dancer who is active in both the underground and the dance industry and is in Diversity Skankaz Crew. He is in the music video for Mund De Carlo, RH, Christopher, The Joker and Szhirley – danced for the afrobeat artists Tekno and Felicia Baby and performed at events such as Copenhagen Pride, Nordic Break League and Dancehall Madness. With Christopher, he has also, among other things. danced to Guldtuben, TV2 and The Biggest Moments, TV2 Zulu. During his time at the Hotstepper training, Keiran began to be active in battles and is i.a. winner of RUST Battle, semifinalist for Xmas Jam 2017 and 2019 as well as top 8 for CPH CLASH Battle for Culture vol 1.

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.

Marie Bang

Has been dancing since a young age and has been teaching for the last 8 years at both evening schools and dance educations as well as at the R2D Homegrown Experience in Canada. She has training from DK and USA, including completing The Galen Hooks Method Classic in L.A. Marie is the leader and choreographer of the dance group Vocazion and is a former member of the dance group Da Freakaliz, which became 3x Danish champions and took part at the World Championships in Las Vegas.

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.

Samuel Lutaaya

Samuel has been dancing since a young age and has completed the Hotstepper Dance Education. He is a versatile dancer trained in many styles, but Hip Hop and Afro are his passion. He started teaching in 2015, and has since taught several styles at various dance schools. Samuel has experience ranging from teaching, choreographing and performing to fashion shows and live TV. He has credits such as dancing for the Danish top artists Christopher and Branco, as well as for brands like Redbull and Soundbox.

Sandra Carstensen

Sandra is a versatile dancer with many years of experience – previously with latin dance on a high level and later hip hop and commercial styles and recently she completed the Hotstepper Dance Education. 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

Sitthichai has been a teacher at Hotstepper since 2015. His credits include Cicilia, Toy Box, Electrick Village, Club Awards, TV2 Live – Smid Tøjet Gala in Tivoli, JD Sports Grand Opening in Fields, WAUW Models Final Awards, cultural events for Rødovre and Nørrebro Municipality. Sitthichai has completed the Hotstepper Dance Education and subsequently other courses and workshops. He is part of the TREE’O group with 2 other dancers from Hotstepper. Together they perform, choreograph, give workshops and participate at competitions.

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.

Toniah & Nefertiti Pedersen

Toniah is a timeless icon in the international dance industry. She is an exceptional choreographer, director and coach who has inspired and paved the way for countless dancers, and proved that dance can be a professional path in both Denmark and abroad. Toniah has worked with legendary artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, P. Diddy, D’Angelo, LL Cool J, Damage and Emma Bunton (Spice Girls). In DK she has artist credits like Aqua, Mø, Jokeren, Gilli, Lukas Graham and Suspekt. She has TV and award show credits like X Factor, Dancing With The Stars, Danish Music Awards and Eurovision. Within opera and theatre she has credits such as The Snow Queen in The Royal Opera House in Copenhagen, Romeo & Juliet, The Jungle Book and Cirkus Summarum. Toniah has fashion show credits such as Hugo Boss and Triumph, commercials for The MJ Tour and Adidas as well as working with films such as Lars Von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark.

Nefertiti grew up in the industry with dance in her blood, and is a strong versatile performer with experience as a dancer, choreographer, singer and actor in TV, theatre, concerts, commercials and music videos. She has danced in iconic venues such as Royal Arena, the Opera and Aarhus Theatre, and has TV credits such as X Factor, Danish Melodi Grand Prix, Denmark Got Talent, P3 Guld and Guldtuben. Nefertiti has artist credits such as Jada, Blæst, Chris Burton, Iris Gold and Reiley. Theatre credits such as Chicago, Cirkus Summarum, The Merry Widow and Cirkus Jul. She also has brand credits such as LEGO, B&O and Novo Nordisk, was in the documentary Dans[k] by Sara Jordan and performed at Detour Dance Festival.

Tricia Yde

Tricia is a unique and versatile dancer with magnetic charisma. Her experience ranges from teaching and underground battles to music videos and fashion. Tricia has trained in Paris, participated at the Hotstepper Dance Education and has credits such as Travis Scott, Jokeren, Redbull, Xee, HBO, Vi Elsker 90erne, the TV2 program Den Vildeste Danser, Museo Club in Copenhagen and dance theatre at Østre Gasværk Theatre and Bellevue Theatre. She is also a sought-after model/dancer for photoshoots where she works with several brands and major photographers.

Valdemar Jakobsen

Valdemar is a rising star who has completed the Hotstepper Dance Education and received an award for his achievements at the education. His experience as a dancer, choreographer and actor ranges from battles and commercials to live TV, theater and music videos where he has worked with famous choreographers such as Steen Koerner and Toniah Pedersen, performed at theaters such as Østre Gasværk and Bellevue in Cykelmyggen Egon and Cirkus Summarum, performed at concerts such as RNB LGNDS and Grandmaster Flash, participated in Danmark Har Talent, won IDO EU in popping and has participated in various battles including being semi-finalist at CPH Street Festival Battle.