STOPP ry’s (The Association of Dance Institutes in Finland) “Dance educator of the year” award 2020 has been awarded to the Sodankylä born dance pedagogue Katja Köngäs, whose school Western Uusimaa Dance Institute Hurja Piruetti operates in the Raseborg area.

Katja Köngäs has been working with art and dance education in Raseborg since 1995. The Association of Dance Institutes in Finland wants to highlight Katja Köngäs’ invigorating and engaging pedagogical work in the bilingual region, as well as the artistically ambitious national and international pedagogical projects which have, among other things, lead to Finnish Ministry of Culture and Education appointing the dance school the Finnish Young Culture Ambassador -title as a recognition for the international work with children and youth.

The awardees receive theatre industry badges of merit on Friday 27th November 2020.