District Zouk Teams
Learn more about our teams and how to join them!
FOLLOWERS TRAINING TEAM w/ Elena
District Zouk Followers Team - Season 8
The reigning World Champions are back for a new season of training! Join Elena for two fun hours of zouk technique and choreography every Thursday!
What you can expect:
-A strong emphasis on zouk followers’ solo technique, bolstered by cross-training in various dance styles
-Individualized feedback from Elena during training sessions
-A welcoming, inclusive environment
-Supportive and friendly teammates
-A strong emphasis on zouk followers’ solo technique, bolstered by cross-training in various dance styles
-Individualized feedback from Elena during training sessions
-A welcoming, inclusive environment
-Supportive and friendly teammates
Who we are looking for:
-An advanced beginner to intermediate zouk dancer who wants to level up their skills!
-Ideally you have a hunger for knowledge, a desire to connect with new people, and the motivation to practice what you learn in class on your own.
-There is no choreography or teams experience necessary and of course, no partner required!
-An advanced beginner to intermediate zouk dancer who wants to level up their skills!
-Ideally you have a hunger for knowledge, a desire to connect with new people, and the motivation to practice what you learn in class on your own.
-There is no choreography or teams experience necessary and of course, no partner required!
How much commitment?
-We have 2 hours of group practice each week. If you miss a class, you’re expected to catch up via the recap videos and practice at home.
-Plan for at least 1 extra hour of week of self-motivated practice at home to truly cement everything you’re learning.
-Performing is not required but it is encouraged! You may learn the choreography with everyone else and then decide later if you’d like to perform or not.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Thursdays, 7:30-9:30pm
Dance Institute of Washington (3400 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010 - metro accessible!)
Starting Oct 9
WHO SHOULD AUDITION?
- Elena’s District Zouk Followers Team is open to dancers of all genders, bodies, backgrounds, and roles who would like to challenge themselves.
- All team members should be respectful, adaptable, reliable, accountable, and have a supportive attitude.
If you’re not sure about your level but still want to join, attend our auditions or reach out to the team director for an individual evaluation!
AUDITIONS FORMAT AND EXPECTATIONS
-We have 2 hours of group practice each week. If you miss a class, you’re expected to catch up via the recap videos and practice at home.
-Plan for at least 1 extra hour of week of self-motivated practice at home to truly cement everything you’re learning.
-Performing is not required but it is encouraged! You may learn the choreography with everyone else and then decide later if you’d like to perform or not.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Thursdays, 7:30-9:30pm
Dance Institute of Washington (3400 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010 - metro accessible!)
Starting Oct 9
WHO SHOULD AUDITION?
- Elena’s District Zouk Followers Team is open to dancers of all genders, bodies, backgrounds, and roles who would like to challenge themselves.
- All team members should be respectful, adaptable, reliable, accountable, and have a supportive attitude.
If you’re not sure about your level but still want to join, attend our auditions or reach out to the team director for an individual evaluation!
AUDITIONS FORMAT AND EXPECTATIONS
Where and When?
Thursday, October 2
Dance Institute of Washington (3400 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010)
7:30 - 9:00pm
Thursday, October 2
Dance Institute of Washington (3400 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010)
7:30 - 9:00pm
What to expect:
The audition will be a ‘workshop style’ session that’s similar to one of our team trainings. You'll get a sense of how the team works and whether it's a good fit.
The audition will be a ‘workshop style’ session that’s similar to one of our team trainings. You'll get a sense of how the team works and whether it's a good fit.
Audition cost: $25
TEAM DETAILS
Following the auditions, we’ll send invitations to join the team with additional details.
Team members get:
- Discounts for progressive classes, workshops, and socials
- Free entry to Monday partner classes and practicas
- Discounted dues for joining multiple teams (if invited)
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
- Discounts for progressive classes, workshops, and socials
- Free entry to Monday partner classes and practicas
- Discounted dues for joining multiple teams (if invited)
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Elena has been a student of various movement arts for most of her life. After 13 years of competitive gymnastics, she briefly explored ballet, modern, and contemporary. While in college, she decided to try Latin ballroom. This began a love of partner dancing that brought her to salsa, bachata, and finally Brazilian zouk. She has been dancing and teaching Brazilian zouk for 7 years. She loves performing and competing with a passion. Most recently she became the first person in the world to advance to the All-Star division of the BZDC Jack & Jill competitions. She strongly believes in helping dancers of all types feel empowered and find their inner fire!
ADVANCED TRAINING TEAM w/ Kuna & Julissa
District Zouk Advanced Training Team
This cycle we're offering a new edition of our advanced Brazilian zouk training team - this time with Kuna & Julissa, plus some other guest teachers (Gui, Lunna and Tori)!
Our training teams are an opportunity for students who have completed our curriculum to dive deeper into training with other more advanced dancers. Kuna and Julissa will share how they train and challenge you in your own dancing.
WHAT IS THIS TRAINING TEAM?
“Going to the cosmos.” That’s what we call it. The feeling we get when the world around us disappears and we’re soaring in an infinite flow.
That’s where we want to bring you. But first - we train. With drills inspired by ballet, Horton technique, and our own crazy minds, we’ll guide you to take your balance, precision, and flow to the next level.
Be prepared for physical and mental challenges. Tilted pirouettes, expansive counterbalances with quick transitions, and endless sequences that you’ll learn to imbue with your own creativity. And most importantly, a supportive, collaborative environment to push your dance to the next level.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Mondays, 8:15-9:30pm
DanceSport Dupont Circle
October 20 - December 15
AUDITIONS FORMAT AND EXPECTATIONS
Where and When?
Monday, October 13
DanceSport Dupont Circle
8:15 pm - 9:30 pm
Monday, October 13
DanceSport Dupont Circle
8:15 pm - 9:30 pm
What to expect:
The audition will be a ‘workshop style’ session that’s similar to one of our team trainings. You'll get a sense of how the team works and whether it's a good fit. The audition includes the practica after, so you're welcome to stay and practice.
The audition will be a ‘workshop style’ session that’s similar to one of our team trainings. You'll get a sense of how the team works and whether it's a good fit. The audition includes the practica after, so you're welcome to stay and practice.
Audition cost: $30
TEAM DETAILS
Following the auditions, we’ll send invitations to join the team with additional details.
Team members get:
- Discounts for progressive classes, workshops, and socials
- Free entry to Monday partner classes and practicas
- Discounted dues for joining multiple teams (if invited)
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
- Discounts for progressive classes, workshops, and socials
- Free entry to Monday partner classes and practicas
- Discounted dues for joining multiple teams (if invited)
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Kuna’s journey to Brazilian Zouk started about 10 years ago. As an established videographer and photographer, Kuna was hired to photograph a zouk event, where his talent and ability to capture the beauty of zouk was discovered. Brazilian Zouk congresses around the world started hiring him to film and photograph their events, igniting his love affair with the dance. Kuna traveled across the globe as a filmmaker, while simultaneously learning from the most recognizable Zouk instructors. He became passionate about mastering the technique and intricate details of leading to not only improve his dance, but to also create a comfortable and smooth experience for those he dances with. For the past several years, Kuna has logged over 8,000 hours of social dancing, obtained teacher training from some of the most esteemed Zouk instructors (including Kim Rottier, Bruno Galhardo, Ry’El & Jessica, and Brenda & Anderson), and has danced with close to a hundred different dance communities around the world. In just a few short years, he has cultivated a skill level that’s inline with the top professionals and has become one of the most desirable and recognizable names within the Zouk community. Kuna went from being behind the camera to starring in front of it as an instructor at Zouk congresses and as a lover of zouk who can always be found dancing the night away. Today, Kuna continues to share his love of videography and dance with Zouk communities both big and small. He’s passionate about sharing all that he’s learned and has taught some of the biggest classes in the world, but still spends his time supporting the growth of smaller communities. Kuna’s classes are going to feel intimate no matter the size as he makes the effort to know each dancer personally. He has a unique approach to teaching that sometimes pushes dancers outside of their comfort zones, but never without a positive outcome. He is constantly looking to improve as both a dancer and instructor, which benefits all those lucky enough to cross paths with him in the zouk world. He will make jokes, half of which won’t be funny, but try to laugh anyway.