WPDA Team

High-level coaches. Caring support network.

Our team combines technical expertise, competition insight and family-focused support so dancers can thrive at every stage.

Founder & Lead

Wojtek Potaszkin

Founder, Director and Principal Teacher

Wojtek is the Director and Principal Teacher at WPDA. He started his dance journey as a little boy in Poland, competing successfully and reaching the finals of all major competitions. Upon moving to Ireland in 2009, he quickly ranked as the best dancer and competed internationally representing the country across Europe and USA.

In 2017, Wojtek was awarded with the highest grades in his professional Standard and Latin exams and he now proudly holds full Irish National, DanceSport Adjudicator Licence. In 2020, he received the World DanceSport Federation Adjudicator Licence – the highest judging license there is for DanceSport competitions around the world. Being a WDSF judge, Wojtek travels to the best competitions in the world to share his knowledge with aspiring professional dancers, apart from adjudicating alongside highly esteemed panels. He has starred in a number of TV commercials and appeared on Irish TV shows. He is the most-loved teacher at the Academy, highly respected and looked up to by all his students. When not working, he enjoys going for challenging runs and wouldn't say no to a good ol' Sunday roast!

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 is a seasoned competitor and coach at WPDA, bringing over 13 years of dedication to the world of dance. With 4 years of coaching experience in both Standard and Latin disciplines, she's known for her dynamic teaching style and passion for performance. Her competitive journey has earned her numerous national and international titles, showcasing her talent at premier World DanceSport Federation events across the globe.

Beyond the competition floor, Sinead has graced television screens and stages through a wide range of shows and showcases. She also serves as a creative force behind WPDA's team choreography, crafting standout performances for events and community festivals. Her energy, expertise, and love for dance continue to inspire the next generation of dancers.

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 training beginners as well as coaching competitive dancers to the highest levels. In Ukraine, he achieved significant success as a coach and leader in the dance industry, and now brings the same passion 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 a highly qualified physical training instructor (spin classes, body pump classes, strength and conditioning, step aerobics), Personal trainer, Yoga teacher, Bodybuilding coach - with many years of experience.

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 the first person many of our new students and parents meet and is always available to help with class decisions, payments, lessons, shoes, dresses and much more. As studio manager she takes care of all studio rentals, marketing, payments & billing, lesson scheduling and teaching schedules. Cathy is also a dedicated and professional dance mom so there is no competition questions she cannot answer.

Student Wellbeing

LesleyAnn Jones

Child Liaison Officer

LesleyAnn is our designated Child Liaison Person with over 15 years' experience working as a childcare professional. She manages all the teaching staff requirements to ensure everyone is up to date with relevant Garda Vetting, Child protection training and First Aid.

LesleyAnn is available for any questions, concerns or suggestions that parents have to make our studio a safe space for all children and adults to train and enjoy. She has worked tirelessly to ensure we maintain the highest standards in the industry.