Advanced Zouk Fundamentals & Variations (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 Vanessa Scott we will make our basics look and feel advanced. We will then pick up from where we left in Level 3 and explore ways in and out of the circular head movement. Wednesdays at DanceSport Dupont [hidden] seriesJune 12 - August 7 (with a break on July 3) 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 ● Gostosinho ● Different entrances and exits for circular head movement ● Circular body movements ● Musicality The class will include a good amount of practice time, so we can better retain what we learn. Enrollment: $144 for the 8-week series No drop-ins - you must sign up for the full 8-week series No partner required (but you can encourage your friends to sign-up too!) 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. Note: DanceSport Dupont Circle class cards cannot be used for this series. 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. 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. Vanessa Scott found zouk in New Zealand and was drawn to its music, fluidity and circular movement. When she lived in the midwest US, she persuaded a ballroom teacher to go half on DVDs and learn Zouk from scratch together. About three years ago Vanessa moved to the DMV area and has been zouking as much as possible ever since. She immediately joined the District Zouk dance team and has performed with them for three years. In 2018, she started directing her own Ladies Performance Team and they are in their second year. In 2017, she went to the first ever 30-day Rio Zouk Immersion Course in Brazil where she studied with top world instructors Jaime Aroxa, Renata Pecanha, Brenda Carvalho and Anderson Mendes da Rocha. Working closely with them in such an intimate setting allowed her to see the depth of zouk and differentiate between different philosophies. In winter 2017, Vanessa completed a 40-hour one-on-one personal training with Xandy Liberato in Spain. In spring 2019, she completed 19 hours of training with William and Paloma at the Zouk Sensation 7 Day Bootcamp. She has enjoyed traveling the world soaking up different flavors of zouk and is excited to share her passion and knowledge with others. 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 and Valentine 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 received an award at the New York Zouk Festival in October 2017 for their contributions to zouk in North America. More Info below.