ZOUK ARTISTS

Alaín (he/him, they/them) & Elijah (he/him) taught together for the first time in 2022 during a Milwaukee Zouk Weekender and have since been featured together for festivals and weekenders across the USA.

Alaín & Elijah began their dance journeys in Latin & Ballroom dance styles like Salsa, Bachata and Cha-Cha. They both compete in multiple dance styles including Brazilian Zouk Jack & Jills and choreography competitions. They have collectively won/placed in over a dozen categories at national & international events.

Both artists are leaders in their communities, Milwaukee & Phoenix, respectively, and bring a wealth of experience leading events, teaching classes and creating a welcoming environment for all. Most of all, Alaín and Elijah are extremely passionate about Zouk and love to share what they know with others.

Hailing from Chi-Town itself, Sarah Zuccaro (she/her) has been dancing for 30 years. She's studied Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, American-style social Ballroom, and Afro Latin dances. Sarah graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a B.S. in Dance Performance and Choreography.

She's taught at events across North America, Europe, and South America and has won many finalist placements in social dance & performance competitions.

In 2019 she opened her own studio, Urbanity Dance Chicago, which she dreams of being a safe space in which all feel welcome and empowered to learn to dance as best they can. Her belief that hard work and commitment surpass natural talent allows her to never put limits on her students' potential.

Angélica (she/her) started dancing at her arts high school where she took her first modern and ballet class. She continued dancing at Zenón dance school in Minneapolis. She then went to university for two years for dance education. In 2018 she found zouk. Since then, Angelica has spent time studying with Brenda & Anderson, Kuna Hamad, Paloma Alves, Xandy, Gui Prada, Gabriel de Carvalho, Lui & Larissa, Saulo & Yasmím. Angélica enjoys the surrender and flow that zouk provides and loves seeing her students challenge themselves and be open to trying new things.

Topher (he/him) began his zouk journey in 2017 when friends convinced him to attend a class taught by Marc Brewer in Minneapolis. Though it took some time to click he eventually discovered a deep passion and love for the connection, music, movement and community zouk had to offer. Since then Topher has found incredible enjoyment in training the various modalities of the dance fostered by instructors including Brenda & Anderson, Xandy Liberato, William & Paloma, Alex de Carvalho, Lui and Larissa, Kuna Hamad, Gui Prada and Gabriel de Carvalho. With a focus on connection and body mechanics, Topher aims to teach students how to better connect with themselves, their own bodies and their partner to improve efficiency, understanding and enjoyment of movement within zouk.

Verity Rose (she/her) is originally from Seattle, WA, and fell in love with dance at age 3 at Gotta Dance Company, where she performed and competed in tap & ballet for 8 years. In 2019, Latin dancing became her passion, and Zouk fully captured her heart in November 2019. Verity celebrates taking 3rd in Novice J&J at Canada Zouk Congress 2023! She's studied with Bruno Miranda, Gui Prada, Gabriel de Carvalho, Bruna & Felipe, Elijah James, Kuna, Imaan, and Saulo. In Winter 2021, Verity became Director of Iowa Zouk, and then founded V Rose Productions in 2022. She loves Brazilian Zouk for the profound impact it’s had on her and she hopes to introduce Zouk to as many as possible across the Midwest and beyond as an artist, organizer, and community builder.

Gabriel (he/him) is a highly skilled and experienced artist with a diverse background in various movement styles. He began his journey 15 years ago with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and quickly fell in love with tango, studying at one of the best schools in Rio de Janeiro. However, it was Brazilian Zouk that truly captured Gabriel's heart, and he began learning from Zouk founder, Renata Pecanha, at her school in Rio. Gabriel has been full time in Zouk for the last 5 years. He currently resides in Iowa City and travels weekly throughout the Midwest to teach in Iowa City, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Aside from his love of dance, Gabriel is deeply committed to sharing his culture and heritage with his students as well as the beauty and depth of Brazilian Zouk. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or just starting out, Gabriel's enthusiasm and expertise make him a wonderful teacher and mentor.