Rafael Oliveira

Rafael is one of Brazil”s up and coming experts and specializes in zouk lambada. He is a Latin dance instructor, choreographer and performer, and has trained with some of Brazil”s most well renowned and respected zouk lambada dancers, including Adilio Porto, and Renata Peçanha. Rafael has previously worked with Jaime Arôxa”s Dance Company, “Centro de Dança Jaime Arôxa”, which is one of the largest academies of its type in Brazil. Rafael is currently part of Rio de Janeiro based dance companies, Mambo Rio Dance Company and Centro de Dança Alex de Carvalho (who are leading practioners in zouk lamabda), he also instructs at many other renowned academies and congresses throughout Brazil. Rafael is also currently working as a consultant for the Ritt Academy of Dance in Londrina, Brazil and recently trained and choreographed the 1st and 2nd place winners for the 1st Zouk and Lambada Championship of Rio de Janeiro which took place in January 2010.

Rafael specialises in a vast range of authentic Latin dance styles including; salsa on 1, salsa on 2, cha cha cha, zouk lambada, bolero, and tango. He also specialises in popular Brazilian styles including; samba de gafieira (including acrobatic lifts), samba no pé, forró pe de serra and lambada, as well as European and American styles, waltz and rock.

Major career highlights for Rafael include being invited to choreograph for the television program “Bom Demais”, being runner up in the Brazil Salsa Open in the São Paulo State Titles, being a finalist at the national titles in 2006 and touring Australia teaching and performing in June 2009.