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).

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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.

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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. 

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!

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!

Fernando and Jessica

Fernando Perrotti

Dance instructor, performer and choreographer,

15 years of experience and specialized in Brazilian Zouk .

During his career he taught and performed at various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia. Winner of Dancing with the Stars Brazil 2018 (aka Dancing Brasil), and other dance competitions.

Jéssica Santh

10 years experienced dancer she started dancing jazz and Brazilian partner dances (dança de Salão), specialized in Brazilian Zouk won the Spaço 3D JnJ in 2018, in the same year Jessica won the Milonga Division of the  Brazilian stage of the Tango World Championship. She develops followers technique focused on self development/ self care. Taught zouk at workshops and festivals throughout Brazil,  Argentina and  the U.S.

Working as partners for the last year they already won a National Zouk competition in Brazil and some dance festivals. For the first time together in the U.S. Fernando and Jess are bringing their experience and a lot of the new flavors of the dance during this tour.

Evelyn and Derrick

We are so excited to have Evelyn and Derrick here at NYC ZOUK FESTIVAL for the very first time.   Together they are encouraging and inspiring students to be open-minded with the dance,
to explore your natural flow thinking outside the box, and to love the creation the body allows to give in the moment, accomplishing the Brazilian ‘Neo’ Zouk in fine detail.

Evelyn is one of the most sought-after Brazilian Zouk artist, dance instructor, and choreographer in the world and Derrick, with his in-depth skills of awareness body movement, agility, and more embody a beauty of FLOW.

According to Evelyn, dancing Zouk is, "Surrendering in the moment with a balanced mental and physical state, combining creativity through inner-beauty, while existing in harmony with the music”.

Evelyn embodies a unique approach to dance - an art of moving, expressing and interpreting the music internally, and from your heart.

Leo and Ana

Leo & Ana begin their dance career through classical ballet and jazz as children, but their paths intersect only in the year 2015, when Ana was approved at an audition for a Leo team at his dance school. Leo and Ana are recognized for their technique, a quality of their shows that mix elements of Lambada, Zouk and other dances, and versatility in the social to dance various styles of music, this partnership has developed focused on studying of all existent styles of Lambada and Zouk, aiming to offer to the students a 360º panorama of what happens in the zouk community. For them the diversity of zouk and the dialogue between styles, is what makes the community so special. They test their studies in the main competitions of Lambada and Zouk in Brazil, consecrated 2 times champions of Lambada world championship in Porto Seguro, and in June of 2017 were the first placed of Brazil Latin Open, Brazilian championship of Zouk, judging by Renata Pecanha, Philip Miha, Gabriel Salgado, Leticia Beltrán, Karen Forcano and Ricardo Vega, competing with the best zouk couples in Brazil, selected and invited to compete by Rafael Barros and Carine Morais, organizers of this great competition. Since 2016 they have traveled around the world as instructors and international artists from Lambada and Zouk, and have taught in more than 40 cities around 20 countries in Europe, Oceania, Asia, South and North America.

Robinson and Larissa

Robinson & Larissa have been dancing together for 9 years, they are founders and creative directors of OW Dance Company, the biggest dance company in Brazil. They are Bachata, and Zouk world champions, holding more than 10 national and international titles over these years. They won the Brazilian Zouk World Championship in USA on 2022 as well as the Bachata World Championship at the Summit in Miami on 2022.

Igor and Laure

Igor Fraga, originally from Minas Gerais - Brasil, started his zouk journey in 2012 training with ZoukNY founder, Kim Rottier. Since then he has taught all over North America in various congresses and festivals. Throughout the years, Igor has also taken up residency for a few months in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans, North Carolina  and most recently Boston to help local scenes in any way he can. He collects awards from various competitions being the first Lead in North America to reach the Advanced level in Jack N Jill.  He is an exceptional instructor and DK and we are ecstatic to have him here with us today!

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.

Ebonie Lee

Ebonie Lee is a Brazilian Zouk instructor based in NYC. Ebonie has trained extensively in a variety of dance modalities. Ebonie pursued Japanese Classical, African, Latin, contemporary Indian and Modern dance at Williams College and abroad. She interned at Washington, DC arts organizations such as Dance Exchange and the DC Dance Collective, adding Contemporary, Jazz and Blues dance to her repertoire. She studied Salsa, Mambo and Afro-Latin dance under Tanya Kianda Fiske and Psyon D. Scott.
Ebonie was introduced to Brazilian Zouk by Atoro Lopez in 2010, and started training in DC. In 2012 Ebonie returned to NYC and became teaching assistant to Kim Rottier (ZoukNY), Ry'el & Jessica Lamdon (ZenZouk). Ebonie studied Contact Improvisation with Jesse Johnson (Dancing with Gravity). She moved to Atlanta and taught with a variety of instructors, including Atoro, Eddie Bonnell of Zouk Atlanta, Jerry Lai and Jeremy Hale. She returned again to NYC in 2020.
Ebonie has completed teacher training and professional development courses by Jaime Aroxa & Kiri Chapman, Kim Rottier, Alex & Mathilde, and Brenda & Anderson.
Ebonie is always interested in the dances of the African Diaspora and conscious movement techniques, incorporating a variety of dance styles into her movement. She believes in the power of dance to connect and communicate, and the nourishment that creativity brings to life.
IG: @ebonie_zouk
FB: facebook.com/fireflyzouk

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!