Luan and Adriana

Luan Correia and Adriana Gomes at a Glance!

• Have been working in ballroom dancing for 15 years;

• Zouk teachers at National and International Congresses;

• Two-time World Lambada champions;

• Two-time Brazilian Latin Dance champions;

• Two-time Regional Ballroom Dancing champions (Santos);

• Coaches (Lyouman Institute);

• Speakers (Lyouman Institute);

• Emotional Intelligence Trainers (Lyouman Institute);

• Creators/Directors - Musical Training - The Hero's Journey;

. Creators/Directors - Arte ao Encantar (Training for speakers and teachers)

• Creators/Directors - Immersion Feel When Dancing (Emotional intelligence using the dance tool);

Robinson and Larissa

Robinson and Larissa: A dynamic and captivating dance partnership with over a decade of award-winning performances to their name. Renowned for their versatility, Robinson and Larissa are masters at Bachata, Zouk, Salsa and Lambada. Their high-octane dance workshops have delighted dancers at congresses across the globe, including Sao Paulo, New York, Miami and Amsterdam. In addition to serving as directors and choreographers of the OW Dance Company based in Miami, they conduct workshops encompassing Bachata, Zouk and other dance styles at congresses and events worldwide.

Ana and Pedro

Pedro Castro and Ana Reis

From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Pedro and Ana are Brazilian Zouk Instructors certified by MAC, Alex de Carvalho’s method. They are also certified judges with the Brazilian Zouk Dance Council ( BZDC ).

Both have a dance background that goes beyond the partner dance field. Pedro studied at dance schools focused on solo dances such as Contemporary and Classical Ballet. Ana is also a Contemporary and Classical Ballet instructor trained at the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro.

The duo is highly experienced in teaching due to their contact with students of all ages at ‘Alex de Carvalho’s Dance School’ where they have developed an accessible and fun teaching approach.

Now based in Canada, Pedro and Ana are developing a dance community in Toronto, as resident dance instructors. Together, they promote and spread the Brazilian Zouk Culture in Canada and North America.

The couple has also been teaching at the most renowned Zouk Festivals in Canada, the USA, Brazil and Europe.

Pedro and Ana, together, have collected more than 10 podium finishes in official Jack and Jill competitions.

Find Pedro & Ana on social media

Facebook:

Pedro and Ana

Instagram 

@pedroandanadance

Iago and Vanessa

Iago Hassuike and Vanessa Meirelles are professional dancers from São Paulo - Brazil. They have been specialists in Brazilian Zouk and Lambada since 2018.

They received many awards in their career like: World Lambada Championship, National Brazilian Zouk Championship and others.

Their masters were: Ariel & Letícia, Philip Miha, David & Deywylla, Rafael Machado, Daniel Darbello.

They are one of the couples from the group "Geração São Paulo" and teach regular classes, study groups, workshops and in congresses all around the world. They have received many awards from championships in their specialities and in academic dances.

Iago with an experience in pedagogy since 2016 and Vanessa with more then 15 years of experience in dance styles like Jazz, ballet and contemporary. Together they make a united couple and they complete eachother in a special way!

With a dance based on a mix of Lambada and Brazilian Zouk and made by happiness and complicity, their dream is to share their love and passion for this art with everyone around the world!

Iago and Ninna

Iago & Ninna are Brazilians, from Vitória-ES. They are Brazilian Zouk

teachers, dancers and DJs, as well as event organizers such as IN Zouk  Festival, in Vitória-ES, and Portugal Brazilian Zouk Festival, in Lisbon-PT.  Both are official Jack and Jill judges from the Brazilian Zouk Dance. Council (BZDC) and also competitors.  Iago began his dance journey at  the age of 14 (2011) and in 2013 he  became a teacher, starting his career.

Ninna began her journey in 2015 and in 2018 she also started her career as a teacher. They studied with great professionals such as Jaime Arôxa, Bruno Galhardo, Val & Vanessa, among others, improving dance and teaching techniques.

In 2022, Iago & Ninna made the partnership official and together they

develop work around the world, teaching Brazilian Zouk through

workshops and congress. They have already traveled to 16 countries

carrying this art and have been present at major events in Europe, the

United States and Brazil.



They are currently part of Val & Vanessa's Zouk Needs You (ZNY) team,

focused on training and developing dance techniques and teaching

Brazilian Zouk.

Paulo and Luisa

Paulo and Luisa are 9 times champions in several dance festivals in Brazil. They were  Brazilian champions of Zouk at the  Brazil Latin Open in 2018 and recently was the first couple of Brazilian Zouk to conquer 2nd place in an top rated swing event,  The Open Swing Dance Championships in the category "Cabaret“

They currently reside in Florida and have founded Zouk United which was created to develop zouk classes, workshops, social dances, among other things related to the Brazilian Zouk in Miami/Hallandale Beach/Hollywood/ Deerfield - Florida!

We are blown away by the exceptional talent that these two bring to the Brazilian Zouk and Lambada scenes!! This will be their 3rd time here in New York City!

Ryel Velandia

 Ry’el Performer, choreographer, instructor, Dance coach and   

   Creator of ZenZouk ,

a method of teaching Brazilian Zouk lambada and over all body movement thru multiple exercises and philosophies based on the “elements” Including earth water fire and air- as symbols for analyzing dance and personal movement.

Ry’el’s main aim is to educate and cultivate the appreciation for each one of these different styles of Brazilian Zouk-Lambada , building a strong foundation of versatility by embracing evolution thru the classics techniques found in the origins of our dance (Lambada).

​

His rich formal dance training in classical ballet, jazz, World Jazz, modern dance, international Latin, and social dances like Salsa, Bachata, cha-cha and different Brazilian Zouk styles enables him to understand, share & create flavorful and fluid organic movement in each of his works as well in his teachings. His expressive sensuality and trained eye for technique through his Body and mind connections philosophies makes a unique class experience.

Jessica Lamdon

Jessica Lamdon, also known as "Unicorn", (the nickname she was crowned by her mentor and partner Ry'el) instructor, performer, actor, loves to MC, professional hugger, has been dancing since she was 8 years old. She began with competitive international 10-dance ballroom dancing and was fortunate enough to compete and place in international competitions such as Black Pool and represent the US in the Worlds Competition in 2007.

Jessica flirted with other Latin dances and styles. She then totally emerged into acting for stage and film throughout high school and college, while earning her BA in Psychology.

long the way, the Unicorn got bit by the Brazilian Zouk bug 4 years ago and never recovered.

​

She has had the honor of training with her mentor, partner, and founder of ZenZouk Ry'el Velandia and getting certified by Kim Rottier. She has had the pleasure of traveling to teach and perform in congresses throughout the states and Europe. Jessica also had the privilege of partaking in a workshop and performance of hit show Braz Dos Santos's Brazouka.

Jessica is so proud to be representing ZenZouk and grateful to have zouk be in her life and the lives of others. She is so humbled and excited to share her beliefs in connection and movement. 

Vinny

Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Vinny (aka the Unicorn’s Apprentice) began his dancing with Salsa in 2012. Originally, dance was more of a side passion, until 2014 when he fell into the rabbit hole that is Brazilian Zouk. Training extensively under Ryel Velandia and Jessica Lamdon of ZenZouk, in addition to other prominent international instructors such as MAC training with Alex Carvalho, Vinny became deeply immersed in the dance and culture of Brazilian Zouk. Vinny is now an active member of the NYC Zouk community who hosts events, teaches, and DJs at home and at other national zouk events and festivals. Armed with an infectious smile and abundant energy, Vinny lights up both the classroom and dance floor wherever he goes.

Shane

Shane Rasnak has been a devoted student of Brazilian Zouk in NYC since 2014, and has been teaching the fundamentals of Zouk for over five years. He was certified as a Zouk Instructor by Kim Rottier of Zouk NY, and trained for over five years in Zouk & Lambada under Ryel Velandia and Jessica Lamdon of ZenZouk. Shane has performed for audiences at dance festivals all over North America, including NYC, Boston, Miami, DC, Atlantica City, and Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Shane also runs a weekly social in Manhattan on Thursday nights!