- KATJA ZAVRŠNIK (SLO)
- BOGLARKA BULYAKI (HUN)
- AKOS BULYAKI (HUN)
One of the reasons why you should definately come to LISA 2026 are our excellent teachers!
Let us present them one by one!
KATJA ZAVRŠNIK (SI)
Katja Završnik is a renowned professional dancer, swing dance instructor, and choreographer. With a passion for dance ignited at the age of five, Katja has dedicated her life to the art ofmovement. In 2010, she transitioned from a career in video and film editing to pursue dance full-time, a decision that has seenher travel the world teaching, performing, and inspiring others.
Katja’s dance education spans various disciplines learned throughout her childhood in multiple dance schools. She has honed her skills by attending international workshops specializing in swing dances. Her extensive training includes acrobatic rock and roll, ballet, modern jazz, gymnastics, modern dance, and ballroom dances. Since 2005, she has focused primarily on partner and solo dances from the jazz age and swing era, mastering styles such as Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston, St. Louis Shag, authentic (vernacular) jazz dance,and ragtime dances.
Known for her versatility and expertise, Katja is celebrated as one of the top followers in the swing dance scene. Her deep understanding of reactivity and connection sets her apart, making her a sought-after instructor and performer. Since 2010, she has been a fixture at swing dance festivals and special events worldwide, sharing her knowledge and passion with a global audience.
In addition to her dance career, Katja is a certified pregnancy and postpartum exercise specialist, and Organizer of Wellness sevices (a graduate of Wellness programe studies, through which she gained a basic understanding of psychology, mental health, nutrition, movement and physical activity).
Her life is a testament to her love for dance and her dedication to enriching the lives of others through movement and connection.
JENNA APPLEGARTH (US – AUT)
Jenna will be teaching, judging the competitions and she is also an official MC of LISA 20225.
She has attended, coordinated, and taught various workshops and exchanges all across the globe. Above all else she believes that learning to dance should be fun, and rooted in the music and history.
BOGLARKA BULYAKI (HUN)
When Bogi was four years old, she decided she wanted to be like the dancers she saw on
TV. The very next day, she began learning Hungarian folk dance. Her dance journey has
since led her to explore many different styles. When she finally discovered swing dancing
and its rich cultural milieu, she knew she had found what she had been searching for.
What captivated Bogi most was the depth and improvisational spirit of jazz. She devoted all
her free time to training in Lindy Hop and Balboa. She even admits to skipping university
exams in favor of dance practice!
Together with her partner Ákos, she co-founded the Simply Swing Studio in Budapest – a
place that reflects her belief in the power of community, care, and shared joy. While Bogi
once pursued a career as a veterinarian, she chose a different path, one where she could
fully embrace her passion for dance and build something meaningful with others.
For Bogi, teaching dance is about much more than steps and technique. She encourages
her students to connect with their bodies—not to force movement, but to express the music
naturally, using technique as a foundation for passion, creativity, and authenticity.
AKOS BULYAKI (HUN)
Ákos Bulyáki is one of the defining figures of the Hungarian swing dance scene, with over
twenty years of experience in the dances of the jazz era – lindy hop, balboa, solo jazz, and
tap. He is a passionate teacher and dancer, actively engaged in both the local and
international swing communities.He first encountered swing dancing in 1998 in a small town
in Hungary.
Together with his partner Bogi, he co-founded the Simply Swing Studio in Budapest – not
just a dance space, but a vibrant community hub. Ákos’s teaching style blends precision,
dynamism, and thoughtful structure. In his classes, technique goes hand in hand with
connection, self-expression, and a deep appreciation for jazz music.
For more than a decade, he DJed swing events in Budapest and across Europe, curating
dance floors with carefully selected vintage swing tunes. As a choreographer, he has led
performance groups and worked in theatrical productions as well.
As a dancer and teacher, he represents a complex and human-centered approach: for him,
dance is not just movement, but a language, an experience, and a form of connection.
TOBIAS KÖLBL (AT)
