Robert Royston is a 14-time Swing and Country World Champion and one of the most respected educators in West Coast Swing worldwide.

Robert Royston

A 14-time Swing and Country World Champion, Robert has been dancing since the late 1980s across many dance genres, including West Coast Swing, Country, Ballroom, Hustle, and Salsa. He is known worldwide not only for his technique and showmanship on the dance floor, but also his effective education style on the teaching floor, show-stopping choreography on the competitive floor, and familiar voice on the Emcee floor. His classes are built on dance physics and musicality, which helps dancers understand balance, connection, and partnership in a practical way. Robert’s teachers’ training is also highly respected, supporting instructors in developing strong structure, language, and tools for helping dancers learn effectively and with joy. Expect classes that deepen your understanding, refine your movement, and elevate both your dancing and teaching joy!

Manuel Ibirocay Alsén

Ibi has explored many dance forms, including Latin folklore, hip-hop, flamenco, jazz, and ballet. He honed his skills as a salsa professional, travelling the world teaching and performing, and winning three silver medals at the World Salsa Championships. With 25 years of teaching experience, Ibi discovered West Coast Swing in 2001 through VHS tapes. He became deeply intrigued after later exploring the dance on YouTube. He began learning WCS in 2008, started competing in 2012, and became the first Nordic dancer to reach the All-Star division. Since 2010, he has been teaching West Coast Swing, organizing events in Sweden, hosting weekly classes, and traveling internationally to share his knowledge and passion for the dance. He is among Europe’s finest emcees, bringing passion and fun to any dance floor. We are honored to have him teach here at Arctic Westie Fest alongside Caroline Bejstam. Expect Nordic structure with Latin flavour and joy!

Caroline Bejstam

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Caroline is a dancer, teacher, judge, and coach who teaches both locally and internationally. She is known for creating a safe and supportive learning space, where dancers are encouraged to explore, grow, and enjoy their own journey. Caroline has been dancing since she was two years old and has trained in a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz, bugg, boogie woogie, salsa, and West Coast Swing. Today, she competes nationally and internationally at a high level in West Coast Swing, Bugg, and Boogie Woogie, dancing West Coast Swing at the All-Star level and serving as an experienced WCS judge. Alongside her dance career, Caroline works full time as an HR Business Partner, bringing a strong understanding of human behavior, coaching, and communication into her teaching. We look forward to welcoming Caroline to the floor and the classroom!

Wayne Powell

Originally from Oxford, UK, Wayne has been dancing and teaching West Coast Swing for over 15 years, and is a familiar face on the international WCS scene as a teacher, MC, judge, event director, and competitor in the highest divisions.

With a background as a Physical Training Instructor for over 12 years, Wayne brings a strong understanding of movement, body mechanics, and efficiency into his dancing and teaching. He began his dance journey in Modern Jive before transitioning to West Coast Swing, where he quickly fell in love with the style's freedom and creativity.

Today, Wayne plays a key role in developing West Coast Swing in Poland, and is known for his relaxed, professional teaching style that makes learning both clear and fun.

Aggi Powell

Originally from Poland, Aggi has been teaching dance for over 18 years and is a well-known presence on the international West Coast Swing scene as a teacher, judge, MC, event director, and high-level competitor.

Her dance background includes Salsa, as well as Jazz training at London's Pineapple Dance Studios, giving her a strong foundation in technique, musicality, and expression. Aggi is the owner of Dance Fusion School of Dance in Gdynia, Poland, where she continues to educate and inspire dancers across styles.

Known for her warm, professional, and encouraging presence, Aggi creates classes that feel both structured and joyful—always with a strong focus on connection and fun.

Jon-Richard Sommernes and Anya Vinichenko are Tromsø-based West Coast Swing instructors leading the Beginner Course at Arctic Westie Fest. Their teaching style is fun, patient, and a little whimsical, with a focus on comfortable basics, clear connection, and real social-dance confidence. Jon-Richard brings five years of dancing and three years of beginner instruction, along with a broader teaching background. Anya offers a fresh, relatable perspective as a recent learner who started WCS just over a year ago and has been teaching for the past three months. Both serve on the local board, teach regularly, and are often the last ones standing at social dances. They create a welcoming space where first-timers progress quickly, enjoy the music, and share plenty of laughs along the way.