Meet the Women Behind Napoca Swing Festival
At the heart of Napoca Swing Festival is a group of powerhouse women, whose friendship, shared vision, and deep love for dance bring this event to life year after year. More than just collaborators, they are friends who support each other through every challenge, both on and off the dance floor.
Together, they form the perfect balance of vision, heart, and hustle — building not just a festival, but a community. Their work is a reflection of their friendship: strong, generous, full of rhythm, and always evolving.
While this dynamic group is at the core, they are far from alone. A wonderful community of women and men stand beside them — instructors, volunteers, dancers, and friends — whose passion, talent, and support help make Napoca Swing Festival what it is today. This event is built not just on planning and vision, but on connection, teamwork, and shared joy.
Dina Pop
Teacher, Coreographer
About
Meet Dina — the visionary behind the rhythm!
Dina’s dance journey began at just 8 years old, with a path that led her through classical and ballroom dance at a competitive level — earning county and national titles and performing at festivals across Romania. Since 1998, she has shared her passion as an instructor and choreographer, diversifying her work through teaching multiple styles, hosting charity workshops for cancer patients and the visually impaired, and appearing on TV shows and international stages.
In 2006, Dina discovered West Coast Swing during a trip to the U.S., where she trained with world-class instructors. Just a year later, she brought WCS into her social dance classes — becoming one of the first to introduce the style in Romania. In 2009, she founded Napoca Westies Dance School, the only school in Cluj-Napoca dedicated to West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop. Thanks to her dedication, the local community has flourished, with regular classes for all levels of dancers.
Since 2016, Dina has also been the organizer and heart behind the Napoca Swing Festival, where her vision, leadership, and love for dance continue to inspire.
Rangyák Eszter
Dancer, Teacher assistant
About
Meet Eszter — the detail-driven force behind the scenes!
An analytical maximalist with a deep love for dance, Eszter brings precision, passion, and a perfectionist’s eye to every aspect of the festival. She’s been dancing since 2003, starting with Transylvanian folk dance, which she practiced for over a decade — even teaching it for two years in Bucharest. In 2011, she discovered West Coast Swing through a video and instantly fell in love. She quickly picked up the basics, first in Bucharest, then in Cluj, and never looked back.
Today, Eszter teaches at Napoca Westies Dance School and plays a key role in organizing Napoca Swing Festival, where her energy, structure, and love for dance help bring everything beautifully together.
Tófalvi Szidónia
Marketing specialist, Artist
About
Meet Szidi — one of the creative hearts behind our event!
A true dance enthusiast, she brings her passion not just to the dance floor, but also into everything she touches — from her love for family and work, to the handcrafted creations she designs through her own brand, SeSid. A talented craftswoman and digital-savvy mind, she supports the festival with her eye for design and dedication to promoting the event.
We’re lucky to have her energy and creativity on the team!
Ancuța Bodnărescu
Marketing specialist, WCS Enthusiast
About
Ancuța has been helping companies, friends and worthwhile initiatives with their marketing needs since 2012. She came to Cluj-Napoca looking to use her creativity and passion for stories. First dreaming to be a writer then as a digital marketer and now as a west coast swing enthusiast. Her first dance class was in 2018, when she came across modern swing. This new way of expressing yourself, of being creative and connecting with the local community won her heart! Currently she is combining her marketing knowledge and love for this dance by helping the local WCS community grow.