Advanced Zouk Fundamentals (Level 3.5): 8-Week Series

LET'S REFINE OUR MOVEMENT AND TECHNIQUE! Although the fundamentals are the first steps we learn in Brazilian zouk, we don't master them until much later in our dance journey. At this point of our learning process and in order to advance with quality and ease into more tricky patterns, we must transform our fundamentals -- make them interesting, fun and also complex. If you ever took a private lesson in your life, you have noticed how much instructors correct and have comments about the basics. In this 8-week progressive series with Gui Prada and Ashley Kent we will make our basics look and feel advanced. We will then explore some variations that became patterns of their own, combining body and head movement. The class will also include a good amount of practice time, so we can better retain what we learn. Wednesdays at DanceSport Dupont [hidden] seriesApril 3 – May 22 Each week will build on what you learned the previous week. Topics will include: Basic steps, linear, viradinha and lateral like a pro Frame and connection Variations of Manteiga, Abertura, and Avião Hammerlock and Cuddle with sways and head movements Gostosinho Circular body movements Musicality Pre-requisite: Level 3 Intermediate Brazilian Zouk (and the preceding classes) or a previous Level 3.5 These classes were designed as a continuation of our learning, following District Zouk’s curriculum. Students should have completed Level 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3. If you haven't done the pre-requisites for this class but are interested in taking it, talk to one of the instructors. We will let you know if it is an appropriate option for you. Enrollment: $152 for the 8-week series No partner required No drop-ins - you must sign up for the full 8-week series When purchasing your ticket we ask you to decide if you'd like to lead or follow in the classes so we can keep the lead/follow ratio fairly even. Pre-requisite: this class is aimed at students who have taken the Level 3 Intermediate Brazilian Zouk series with District Zouk. If you haven't done the pre-requisites for this class but are interested in taking it, talk to us. We will let you know if it is an appropriate option for you. Note: DanceSport Dupont Circle class cards cannot be used for this series Location: DanceSport DuPont Circle2201 P St. NW (GPS 1520 22nd St. NW)The Church of the Pilgrims Fellowship Hall (Entrance from the south side via stairs going down) Washington DC 20037 Between P & Q St's, 2 blocks west of the Q St exit of the Dupont Circle red line Metro. Directions and unlimited adjacent Embassy Row parking info available at: [hidden] bus lines: G2, D2 & D6, 42, N line to Friendship Hts, S line from Silver Spring & downtown and Dupont Circle Circulator from Georgetown The Instructors: Gui Prada started dancing in 2004 inspired by the movie "Shall We Dance?". He began to dive deep into dance in 2006 as a work-study trainee of the Jaime Arôxa Dance School in Rio de Janeiro. Jaime Arôxa, one of the creators of Brazilian Zouk, was the head instructor and was a mentor for the most accomplished dancers in Brazil. During his 6 years as a member of the school's team, he learned all Brazilian partner dances (Forró, Samba de Gafieira, Soltinho, Bolero and Zouk) as well as Argentine Tango. After he left the school, he continued dancing and learning from other remarkable instructors, including Fabiano Vivas, Kelly Reis, Érico Rodrigo, Guilherme Pimentel and many others. Since then he has focused his training and research on taking the best of each of these dances and applying it to the close embrace, with the purpose of conveying a sense of well-being and relaxation to dance partners. In 2016 he attended the first Zouk Retreat in Valencia, led by Xandy Liberato, Brenda Carvalho and Anderson Mendes. After that, his research on partner dancing took a new direction, as he continued working with Brenda and Anderson to seek for the application of the concepts explored at the retreat in different ways by using the references of the other Brazilian partner dances and Argentinian Tango. As a result, the importance of the basic steps and concepts became evident, since it is through them that all dances reach another level. Ghee is looking forward to sharing his technique and training with students here in Washington DC to help them improve their basics, comfort and confidence on the dance floor. Ashley Kent has been dancing from an early age, including training in jazz, tap, ballet, modern, west African dance, salsa, kizomba and Brazilian zouk. She got hooked on afro-latin partner dancing while living abroad in Ghana and Sudan, but when she was introduced to Brazilian zouk in DC in 2012 she fell in love with it. She has studied with top instructors from Brazil, Canada, Spain and the US and has traveled to Brazil to attend several of the most well-known Brazilian zouk festivals and a teacher training with Jaime Aroxa, Renata Pecanha, Jorge Peres, and other top international instructors. Ashley has directed the District Zouk dance team in 2016 and 2017 and has taught at dance festivals including the White House Kizomba/Zouk Summit (2015 and 2016, which she also co-organized), Midwest Kizomba Zouk Afro-Fusion Festival (2016 and 2017), NCZoukfest (2017), Interfusion Festival (2016 and 2017), Baltimore Salsa Congress (2017) and the DC Bachata Congress (2015-2017). She was voted the best instructor at the Midwest Afro-Fusion Festival in 2016, for which she received an award. Ashley loves sharing her love for this dance with the DC dance community and seeing Brazilian zouk in this city continue to grow. District Zouk’s mission is to offer regular opportunities to learn and dance Brazilian zouk, and to nurture and grow the Brazilian zouk community in DC. Ashley Kent and Valentine Luu co-founded District Zouk with Amy Abbott and Bianca Desroches, and they have been teaching weekly Brazilian zouk classes at DanceSport Dupont Circle since June 2014, as well as organizing workshops and other events. District Zouk's classes are technique-focused and accessible to those new to social dancing, those with a background in other dance styles, and those who have been learning and dancing this dance for awhile. District Zouk received an award at the New York Zouk Festival in October 2017 for their contributions to zouk in North America. More Info below.