Radovljica Swing Festival

19. – 21. June 2026

learn more about the event below ↓

About the festival

Shake the Change returns in full swing for its 5th edition: stronger, bolder, and truer to its essence than ever before! Get ready for a vibrant three-day celebration dedicated to jazz dance and the music that fuels it.
From 19th to 21st June 2026, you can look forward to three unforgettable dance evenings accompanied by live music. This edition puts the essence of jazz dance in the spotlight: the rhythmic roots, its cultural history and the creative directions shaping its future.
We proudly continue our tradition of bringing Slovenian artists together, honoring the community that has supported the festival from the very beginning. This year, we’re excited to have Gibarija and Bottoms Up with us once again: their students will present choreographies on Friday evening during the end-of-the-year show.
Join us as we celebrate the spirit of the festival and step confidently into its next chapter.
Let’s Shake the change together!

Learn more about our concept

Teachers

This year’s Shake the Change Festival brings together a diverse team of teachers whose work reflects the full arc of jazz dance: from its historical roots to its contemporary evolution. Our selection is intentional: by connecting the origins of jazz with the ways it continues to grow today, we aim to present a program that is both meaningful and forward-looking. Get ready to learn, grow and be inspired.

Alice Mei

My dance career started at the age of 4 years old, when I took it upon myself to interpret almost every single Disney character from “Dopey” to “Tinker-bell” in a role that lasted 10 fun-filled years (a role called my childhood). I soon decided to further explore my unique talent by joining a national dance school for 4 years, where I studied ballet, contemporary dance and Jazz dance extensively.

My true love in the dance sense was discovered when I began swing dancing in 2003, after a few unsuccessful attempts at flamenco dancing, salsa dancing and a brief flirtation with kick-boxing. Swing dancing captivated me instantly, and I decided to put aside my career as a qualified architect in order to pursue my newfound passion. For the past 17 years, I have been traveling all over the world to teach, perform, and spread the joy of swing dancing to other passionate dancers from all walks of life.

In my classes, I value and teach the same principles that I cherish as a dancer, focusing on keeping things simple and in rhythm.

As a competitor, I have won several titles in major competitions,1st place Jack ‘n’ Jill at ULHS 2009, 1st place Invitational Jack ‘n’ Jill ILHC 2009, 1st place Classic Division at ILHC 2010, 2018 and 2021, 3rd place in 2011,2017 and 2nd place Classic Division ILHC 2013, 2016 and 2020, 1st and 3rd place strictly at Snowball 2015 and 1st in 2016,1st place strictly at Lindyfest 2016.

These achievements aside, I am definitely at my happiest when “swinging it” on the dance-floor, and you will most likely hear me giggling from the other side of the room when social dancing.

As a person, I enjoy the simple things in life most, such as chocolate, a glass of wine and being in good company. Sensitivity, fun and being natural are the attributes that I look for most in others and value within myself.

Xesc Bujosa

Xesc loves vernacular jazz dances, its history, and its culture.

From the moment he encountered Lindy Hop, his life changed completely. He was automatically fascinated by the rhythmic richness, the great variety of movements, and the capacity for self-expression of the swing music and dances, so he started his dancing journey by learning how to do the Lindy Hop and soon enough came Solo Jazz and Tap Dance.

In 2017 he had the opportunity to start teaching some classes and soon, he turned it into his way of life.

Currently, he is lucky to live these dances in the most complete way he could have ever imagined, training and competing with his dance partners and other fellow dancers; sharing the dance in classes; performing with the company Cia. EnJazz; and of course, enjoying the social dance regularly.

Aiala Larreina

She began dancing euskal dantzak (Basque folk dance) as a child, both in classes and at popular and family celebrations. After leaving the classes, following eight years in this discipline, she explored other dance styles. That’s when she discovered swing and delved into its history and culture, reconnecting emotionally with a dance that moved her once again.

Gurutz Larrea

His first contact with dance came at the age of 15, but it was ten years later that he discovered Swing dance. Inspired by a jazz festival in his hometown, he began taking classes and developed a deep interest in the dance’s history and cultural origins. He is passionate about teaching and is dedicated to helping others connect with dance through its cultural context and historical roots.

Ana Vesel

Ana loves to explore movement in various styles and forms. Prior to joining the swing dance community, she trained, competed, and performed in modern dance, ballet, and contemporary dance. In 2013, she fell in love with swing dance and has been exploring it ever since. She has been teaching regularly for nine years now and enjoys traveling to swing festivals around the world. She loves working with different dance partners to share ideas and different approaches to teaching and dance. By education she is a professor of pedagogy and adult education.

What she loves about swing dance is the opportunity for self-expression, freedom and the two-way communication with a partner. She values musicality, natural body movement, connectivity, creativity and the understanding of the rich culture behind the dance. In her classes, performances and on the social dance floor, she strives to spread playful energy, build meaningful connections with others and to showcase the above values.

Jure Rus

Jure’s been swing dancing since 2011 and sharing his moves as a teacher since 2016 in Slovenia. He’s a regular at international festivals across Europe. He also explores new dance horizons with contemporary dance and jazz ballet. Jure loves mixing up different styles in his teaching, and he’s a firm believer that practice makes perfect. Alongside Lindy Hop and Balboa, he’s got a soft spot for solo jazz, tap, and blues.

Photo: Nino Bektashashvili, Projekt APIS Institute

Maša Kagao Knez

Maša Kagao Knez is a dancer, choreographer and theatre practitioner. She first came into contact with the performing arts as a child through the work of her mother, Jasna Knez, a dancer and choreographer herself. Maša was educated by various international teachers, both in Slovenia and abroad, and in 2006 she completed professional training at Georges Momboye School of Traditional and Contemporary African dance in Paris. In 2013 she graduated from the Academy of Dance in Ljubljana and in 2021 she completed her Master’s degree in the Art of Movement at the AGRFT (Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television) in Ljubljana.

As a dancer, actress and choreographer she collaborates with institutional theatres as well as independent producers (PTL, SNG Drama, Municipal Theatre Ljubljana, SNG Nova Gorica, SLG Celje, APT, Mini Teater). For the last few years she has been a regular collaborator of director Ivana Djilas.

In 2009 Maša, together with dancer Dalanda Diallo and musician Damir Mazrek, co-founded the Baobab cultural and arts society, which operates in the field of dance, music and theatre. She is artistic director of cultural institution Studio 25 and director of Diaspora, an artistic collective dedicated to the creation of dance and music productions.

Maša has received the Ksenija Hribar dance award in 2013. Three years later she won the third prize at the XX. Festival of choreographic miniatures in Belgrade as part of the duo with musician Murat.

Aljoša Möderndorfer in Jaka Nardin

Dancers and DJs united by their love for dance and music.

They are the organizers of All Around The House, which they founded with the wish to bring greater visibility to house dance in Slovenia. What began as a single event has grown into a movement and community that offers workshops, parties, and educational programs. Their goal is to spread house culture, build community, and create a safe environment for growth and inspiration for new generations.

Tina Božič

Member of Abismo crew, active hip hop artist. Dancer, choreographer, mentor, organizer. The love for hip hop has made a big impact on her life. Still learning and exploring the amazing culture and trying her best to give back by spreading the love and knowledge to younger generations.

Dance workshops

Our dance workshops combine depth, variety, and a wide range of movement experiences that will help you refine your technique while exploring new styles. This year, you’ll be learning from an inspiring team of Slovenian and international teachers, whose knowledge, passion, and creative perspectives shape the heart of our festival.
This year’s workshop focus: Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz.

LEVELS & TRACKS

Full Pass (4 levels), Beginner Track, Party Pass

More about class levels

Music & events

Music is the heartbeat of Shake the Change. Imagine dancing without it … possible, maybe, but never quite as wholesome. Rhythmic patterns, playful melodies, and especially live bands fill the air, spreading sound through the crowd and making our bodies move as one. This year’s lineup features incredible Slovenian musicians alongside talented artists from neighboring countries such as Hungary and Czech Republic. Through these cross-border collaborations, we strengthen connections, inspire new artistic exchanges, and keep the swing spirit alive.

Steven Coombe and his Swing Mates

photo: David Poul

Steven Coombe

Musician, dancer, educator, speaker and many more things.. Steven is based in London and has been dancing Lindy Hop for over 15 years. Band leader of the Shirt Tail Stompers, he has led bands and danced all over the world playing for Lindy Hop festivals and competition weekends. He has also led big bands and collaborated with some of the best musicians in the world. His knowledge of musicality is unparalleled and has taught classes and workshops at hundreds of events.

After deciding to compete for a year, his competition wins include Dragon Swing, Korean Lindy Hop Championships, Lindylicious and Lindy Szau Birthday Jam.

He is now booked all over the world applying his experience and knowledge in his work as a band leader, Lindy Hop teacher, MC and DJ.

Atika Korb

Atilla Korb began his musical studies on violin and piano. He graduated from the Academy of Music in 2007 with a major in music theory and conducting. At the same time he was studying trombone at the jazz faculty. He came first in the Hungarian Radio’s Zsoldos Ernő Jazz Trombone Talent Contest and as a reward he gained the opportunity to publish his first solo album. In 2009, he was invited to play at the Breda Jazz Festival and the Japanese Kobe Jazz Street Festival. He also plays the piano, the cornet, and the bass saxophone and regularly arranges and composes music.

Aljaž Draškovič Bračun

Starting out as a dancer and blues guitarist, his love for jazz led him to the style of Django Reinhardt. Over time, he shifted toward late 1930s big band swing and formed a band specifically for dancers. He now leads the Icy Isabella Jazz Band, where he arranges and plays rhythm guitar.

Gašper Bertoncelj

Gašper Bertoncelj is a internationally acclaimed drummer from Slovenia. He established himself as a professional jazz musician as he lived and worked in different centers of the jazz scene: Linz, Austria; New York City, USA; Tel Aviv, Israel and now Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Jan Galia

Jan is an upright bass player based in Brno, Czech Republic. A graduate of the jazz department at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, he loves playing music that gets people dancing. You can catch him on stage with Heart of Dixie, Swingalia, Cotatcha Orchestra, or performing solo with a looper and a variety of instruments he loves to play.

Primož Fleischman

Primož Fleischman attended the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music, where he studied in three majors (theoretical, classical and jazz). In 1998, he graduated with honors from the Ljubljana Academy of Music. He continued his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

He is the winner of numerous awards at national competitions, the winner of the Plaque of the Municipality of Ljubljana, the Škerjanč Award and the Golden Rooster music award.

As a soloist, he has performed with orchestras: Big Band RTV Slovenia, Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Slovenian Philharmonic String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra RTV Slovenia, Slovenian Police Orchestra and Slovenian Army Orchestra. He has performed at international festivals across Europe, in Istanbul, Shanghai, the USA and Mexico. As the first alto soloist, he is employed in the Big Band RTV Slovenia.

For 25 years, he taught saxophone at the jazz department of the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet, and for many years taught improvisation at the Ljubljana Academy of Music.

Zoltán Mátrai

Zoltán Mátrai is one of the prominent Ambassadors of Jazz in Hungary. A skilled musician on the tenor saxophone and clarinet, he is an accomplished soloist and session artist, actively performing at jazz festivals both in Hungary and abroad. His passion for swing and dance music has taken him across Europe, with performances in countries such as Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, France, and more.