WPDA Team

Friendly coaches and familiar faces.

Our team brings experience, patience and family-focused support so every dancer has someone kind to guide them.

Founder & Lead

Wojtek Potaszkin

Founder, Director and Principal Teacher

Wojtek is the Director and Principal Teacher at WPDA. He started dancing as a little boy in Poland and brings a lifetime of Ballroom and Latin experience to the academy. Since moving to Ireland in 2009, he has shared that experience with dancers of all ages.

Wojtek holds Irish National and World DanceSport Federation adjudicator licences, and brings that depth of knowledge into the studio in a calm, approachable way. Students know him as a supportive teacher who cares about confidence, progress and the joy of dancing.

Coaches & Academy Staff

A complete team around each dancer

Ballroom & Latin

Elaine O'Dwyer

Ballroom & Latin Coach

Elaine has been involved with ballroom dancing since age 8 having danced & competed throughout that time. Elaine has a BA degree in Business Studies and 20 years experience in the finance industry. She has been working with WPDA for over 10 years originally as a dancer and now as a teacher.

In that time Elaine has won national titles in both UK and Ireland in adult & senior categories. Having completed her teaching qualifications Elaine now teaches classes within our academy across all levels. Elaine places a big focus on adult classes to help adults overcome any fears of learning to dance or returning to dancefloor as an older competitor.

Ballroom & Latin

Sinead Doyle

Ballroom & Latin Coach

Sinead brings over 13 years of dance experience to WPDA, with a warm, energetic teaching style across Standard and Latin. She helps dancers enjoy the work, understand the music and feel more confident in their movement.

Beyond classes, Sinead supports team choreography, shows, showcases and community events. Her energy and love for dance help younger dancers feel excited about learning.

Ballroom

Volodymyr Belei

Ballroom Coach

Volodymyr is a WDSF licensed adjudicator, choreographer and dance educator with over 30 years of teaching experience, working with both children and adults. After graduating from college and university with a degree in choreography, he dedicated his life to the dance world.

His career includes helping beginners find their footing as well as supporting dancers who want to grow further. He brings patience, experience and a deep love of dance to Ireland.

Hip-Hop & Breaking

Zhenya Kovalenko

Hiphop & Breaking Teacher

Recent addition to the team, Zhenya brings 26 years of dance experience to the studio and has a range of dance skills including HipHop, Breaking, Jazz Funk, Jazz modern, Acro, Waacking and classic dance.

We're looking forward to the new 2025 season to see what exciting new attributes he will bring to the school.

Fitness & Conditioning

Elena Konopljova

Fitness Coach

Elena is an experienced physical training instructor across spin, body pump, strength and conditioning, step aerobics, personal training, yoga and bodybuilding coaching.

She will provide coaching for our dancers to help with strength, stamina, flexibility and cardio fitness.

Operations

Cathy Caulfield

Studio Manager

Cathy has over 15 years' experience in the dance industry as both dance parent and as manager of our studio. Having previously worked in childcare industry, Cathy has almost 10 years experience in the financial services industry and is QFA Financial Advisor qualified.

Cathy is often the first person new students and parents meet. She is always happy to help with class choices, payments, lessons, shoes, dresses and the many little questions that come with joining a dance academy.

Student Wellbeing

LesleyAnn Jones

Child Liaison Officer

LesleyAnn is our designated Child Liaison Person with over 15 years' experience working in childcare. She helps keep our team up to date with Garda Vetting, child protection training and First Aid.

LesleyAnn is available for questions, concerns or suggestions from parents, and helps make the studio a safe, welcoming space for children and adults to train and enjoy.