International Guest Instructors
Carlos da Silva
Rio Dance Studio
Highly regarded by his dance peers, Carlos is in demand as an accomplished and renowned dance teacher, performer and choreographer. With his dance partner he performs at over 40 dance events and congresses internationally each year in countries such as France, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, Russia, New Zealand, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Italy and Spain as well as in the Czech Republic.
Fernanda Vitória
Rio Dance Studio
Fernanda Vitória started dancing in Rio de Janeiro 5 years ago, and her first dance experience was in Brazilian samba and forró. Passionate about dance, Fernanda looked for a dance academy to learn other styles such as zouk, samba de gafieira, bolero, salsa and swinging foxtrot.
Jefferson Dadinho
Boombox by Jefferson Dadinho
Jefferson created his own company “Boombox by Jefferson Dadinho” in 2011 and is currently developing a program for teacher training specializing in zouk lambada and Dança de Salão through this Company. Since starting his own company Jefferson has travelled extensively throughout Brazil as well as overseas.
Jorge Peres
Núcleo de Dança Renata Peçanha
Jorge Peres is a registered professional dancer and his repetoire includes Zouk Lambada, Pourterican and Cuban Salsa, Samba de Gafieira, Forró, Merengue, Soltinho, Jive, Rhumba, Chá Chá Chá, Bolero, Waltz, Maxixe, traditional Lambada and Lamba Aeróbica. He is also undertaking training in Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary dance.
Luciano Gomes
Dance Planet
Luciano Gomes is a charismatic dancer from Rio de Janeiro who started capoeira at the age of 11 and later on added Brazilian ballroom dances (samba de gafieria, bolero, soltinho), forró, zouk, salsa, and bachata. In 1996 he opened his own forró, salsa, and zouk classes at the Academia André Negrao dance school in Niteroi, Rio de Janerio.
Renata Peçanha
Núcleo de Dança Renata Peçanha
Dubbed the "Queen of Zouk Lambada", Renata is the most well known female zouk lambada dancer in Brazil and needless to say, her academy specialises in zouk lambada. Renata worked with Jaime Arôxa's Company for 6 years, Brazil's premier dance academy.
Sofie da Silva
Dance Planet
Sofie started dancing at early age, passing through ballet, gymnastics, ballroom, hip hop, Afro, jazz, tap and contemporary dance. After her studies in Musical Theatre at the University of Minnesota in the USA and authentic dance styles in Cuba at the University of La Habana, she became active as a salsa dancer, choreographer and teacher.
Xandy Liberato
Mou Dansa
Xandy Liberato was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and currently lives in Spain. He is a good example of how dance is much more than just a combination of steps. Not only does he activate every muscle in his body, he moves every fibre in his heart and soul. He is currently presenting his zouk, samba and Afro dance classes around the world with the co-direction of Contemporary Dance Company; Mou Dansa, where he is a choreographer as well as performer.Asia Pacific's Brazilian Dance Specialists
Ali Van Hemert | Dance 4 Life
Dance 4 Life
Ali started dancing jazz, ballet and funk at the age of 5. In her teens, she began doing musical theatre and performed in many productions such as Fame, Les Miserables, Big and Much Ado About Nothing. Ali began Ballroom & Latin dancing in 2006 at Forever Dance in Richmond. She continued to work there until 2011, then in 2012 she opened up her own school “Dance 4 Life” in Melbourne.
Alisson Sandi
Brazuka and Juan Rando Dance Academy
Alisson arrived in Perth in 2007, when he blew the top off the Latin dance world. He made himself an integral part of the Juan Rando Dance Academy as the main Brazilian Dance Instructor where he teaches Brazilian Zouk, Samba de Gafieira, Argentine tango, Salsa, Forró and Axé. His dance partner Audrey is renowned as one of the best Zouk dancers and teachers in Australia. He natural style and grace compliments her wealth of experience.
Audrey Isautier
Brazuka | Juan Rando Dance Academy
Audrey is a recognized Brazilian Zouk dancer living and working in Perth Western Australia. Born in Reunion Island, she began to dance at the age of 3, with a background in contemporary, ballet, jazz and Bharatanatyam (traditional Indian dance) and she has performed and danced with many different companies around Reunion.
Bebé
Bebé
Bebé is from Porto Seguro, Brazil, the birthplace of lambada! He is recognised around the world as one of the masters of Lambazouk (Porto Seguro style zouk lambada). He has 20 years professional experience performing and teaching across in the globe in countries as diverse as Argentina, United Kingdom, Belgium, Australia, Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand, Spain, Israel, Malaysia and Brazil.
Claudio Gomez
Step Up Dance Studio
Claudio Gomes is a pioneer of Zouk Lambada in Sydney. In 2004, long before the term zouk became known in the dance community, he introduced this style while assisting a local teacher deliver a lambada class. Since then, he has trained not just students but also dance professionals from different backgrounds and levels of expertise. Amit Arora, DJ Coco, Gary Wilson, Kelli Doig, Jane Garmanik, Simon Cox, are just a few of the many zouk teachers who were introduced, trained and inspired into zouk by Claudio.
Jean Goh | Two Left Feet Singapore
Two Left Feet Singapore
Jean is one of few lady instructors in the world who is proficient in both leading and following in Salsa, Bachata, Brazilian Zouk and other Latin street dances. She has been dancing as both a leader and follower since 2001. Together with Wendy Yee, she founded the Two Left Feet dance school – one of the most established Salsa schools in Singapore today – which pioneered Zouk in Singapore with the help of Alisson Sandi Rodrigues in 2008.
Kadu Pires
Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy
After building a reputation as the youngest dancer in São Paulo, I moved to Rio de Janeiro where I returned to the Jimmy de Oliveira Academy to teach samba de gafieira, bolero and soltinho. Over a period of four years, I completed courses with renowned Brazilian dancers including Rogério Mendonza (Salsa), Jimmy de Oliveira (Samba de Gafieira), Rafael Oliveira, Alex de Carvalho, Renata Peçanha and Adilio Porto (Zouk-Lambada) and Henrique Talmah (Contemporary).
Larissa Thayane
Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy
Since moving to Australia in 2007 to join Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy teaching team, Larissa has taught and performed extensively at important events throughout Australia and all around the world.
RJ Odon | Dance 4 Life
Dance 4 Life
RJ began dancing 6 years ago as a Ballroom/Latin and social Salsa dancer. His love for dancing skyrocketed and he delved into every style he could. Despite this, RJ has kept his focus on training and performing in Samba de Gafieira and Ballroom/Latin dancing, currently holding two Australian Dancesport Titles.
Shannon Ring | Zouk Art New Zealand
Zouk Art
After their international debut at Brazil Central in 2012, Shannon and Trajano continued on a 6 month tour, putting New Zealand on the ZOUK MAP, with workshops and performances in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janieiro (Renata Pecanha, Zouk in Rio), Berlin (Berlin Bachata Congress), London (UK Zoukfest), Goa (Goa Salsa Festival), Delhi, Mumbai and Bangkok.
Silvi Pereira Milans
Dança Brasil
Silvi Pereira Milans is the first Brazilian dance style choreographer, instructor and performer in South Australia. She has been educating and promoting Brazilian culture, dance, and music throughout South Australia & Australia for over 13 years. She is an experienced dancer, with a unique style blending her Brazilian background in samba, axe, zouk lambada, forro and Portuguese folkloric dance to other dance styles. Renowned for her fun and vibrant classes, she also loves to perform and is the choreographer for her current performance group, Danca Brasil!
Tarcisio Teatini-Climaco
Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy
Tarcisio has amassed over 35 years of experience in dance instruction. Prior to founding Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy in 1994, Tarcisio had already more than 20 years of experience as a dance teacher, performer, choreographer and percussionist behind him.
Trajano Leydet | Zouk Art New Zealand
Zouk Art
After their international debut at Brazil Central in 2012, Shannon and Trajano continued on a 6 month tour, putting New Zealand on the ZOUK MAP, with workshops and performances in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janieiro (Renata Pecanha, Zouk in Rio), Berlin (Berlin Bachata Congress), London (UK Zoukfest), Goa (Goa Salsa Festival), Delhi, Mumbai and Bangkok.