TEACHERS
Riikka Maria
Riikka has been dancing Kizomba and Afrohouse for about ten years. She started teaching in 2019 first in Finland and later also elsewhere in Europe. Known for her clear and structured teaching methods, she makes Afrohouse easy and fun to learn, even for beginners. Riikka has been teaching Kizomba since 2024, first together with a dance partner and later independently. What matters most to her is natural technique, musicality, and expression. Her teachers have included, among others, the 2024 Angolan Kizomba and Semba champions Daniel Da Costa and Amalia Vicente. She travels regularly in Europe and to Angola to stay connected with the roots of these dances, continuing to train closely with her Angolan teachers both in person and online.
Joshua Yoga
Joshua Yoga is an international dance instructor and choreographer from Kenya, currently based in Helsinki. He is a co-founder of Empire Dance Kenya, one of the leading dance studios in Kenya. A professional dancer since 2009 and an experienced teacher since 2016, he specializes in Afro dance styles including Afrobeats, Afrohouse, Coupé-Décalé, Amapiano, and Ndombolo. He also teaches Hip Hop and Dancehall, with a focus on cultural authenticity, performance quality, fitness, and wellbeing. His classes emphasize musicality, rhythm, groove, and body coordination, while fostering confidence, individual expression, and overall wellbeing. He is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for dancers of all levels.
Outi Kallinen
Outi Kallinen is a Finnish pioneer of African dance, a dancer, choreographer, and musician specializing in Guinean dances and music. She has been studying Guinean and other West African dances and learning to play various instruments with local teachers for several decades now. She has performed with various groups and worked as a choreographer since the 1980s, as well as having taught both amateurs and professionals in Finland and abroad. Outi has also visited Fest Afrika several times to teach and perform. As a teacher, Outi is encouraging and attentive to students of all skill levels.
Fanta Yayo
Fanta Yayo is a Guinean dancer and singer now based in Sweden. Having grown up in a family of musicians, she is a natural performer with a strong professionalism in dance, having received rigorous training in Guinea’s ballets, i.e. ensembles dedicated to traditional dance and music. In Guinea, she is best known from the ranks of Ballet Matam. She teaches dance regularly in Stockholm and frequently travels abroad to teach and perform. She has taught songs, for example, to the students of the Sibelius Academy. Fanta’s energetic dance classes are full of movement and joy, while her singing classes offer a deeper dive into traditional songs.
For a taster of Fanta’s singing, see her concert with Sibelius Academy’s students on YouTube.
DJ Le Noir
Tietoa tulossa pian!
Siku Mponda
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Annina Tuhkunen
Annina is a dance and body care professional working at the intersection of various dance and movement practices, with 30 years of experience as a teacher and performer, particularly in West African dance. She has developed her expertise in both traditional and contemporary Afro dance styles through numerous intensive courses and professional trainings across West Africa, Europe, and Latin America. In addition to dance, Annina holds a Master’s degree in cultural studies and intercultural interaction, which is reflected in her continuous curiosity to deepen her understanding of the dance cultures she teaches. As a teacher, Annina is clear and inspiring. She values sharing the joy of dance and fostering a sense of community, as well as opening up the cultural contexts behind the dances to her students. She strives to create a relaxed and open atmosphere in her classes, where everyone feels seen and welcome.
Learn more about Annina by reading this interview.
