 |
|
Some of them, you already know, others
you will discover once you’re here! Kizomba UK has gathered
an original line up of the most respected teachers and performers carefully selected for their knowledge and charisma of the rhythms they teach.
AFROLATIN CONNECTION (Portugal)
RICARDO AND PAULA are the most well known members of this company. They have fast become known in the scene as great teachers with beautiful flow and style. They have dance training background and they bring their professionalism to anything they do.They were awarded best teachers and are in great demand internationally. Back by popular demand! |  |
 | NEW! PETCHU & VANESSA (Angola) Confirmed!
This couple needs almost no introduction.With over 30 years experience between them, Petchu is the founder of Ballet Tradicional Kilandukilu. He has won many prestigious awards and is a living symbol to Angolan culture. He's also writing a book on the subject. He's also the first teacher to start teaching Kizomba with a structured methodology. Together with Vanessa they are an inspiration to most teachers in the field. |
 | * * SPECIAL GUEST TEACHER **
JACKIE GUY Jackie Guy is the choreographer for the hit Jamaican musical The Harder They Come which started life at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2006, had a long West End run. He has over 40 years of experience and numerous awards for Excellence, Innovation and Creativity. He'll be teaching a Dance class called Kumina (1840 Post Emancipation). Don't miss it! |
NEW!! ALBIR & SARA (Spain) Finalists at Afridancar competition in 2010, this couple roufled some feathers by showing a very sleek style of dancing and beautiful to watch. Their shows are a mix of styles, choreographed in a very harmonious way, where you just can't help getting lost in their vibe! Don't miss their fantastic routines in class! |  |
 | IRIS DE BRITO (UK / Angola)
She's a trained dancer in Classical, Jazz and Contemporary. She has worked with the likes of Bill Louther, Sheron Wray, Peter Badejo and Kokuma. She has also done comercial work with JayZ, Enrique Iglesias and Kylie Minogue. Lately she has dedicated her career to Salsa and most recently to Afro Latin dances. She has won many awards, including a Lifetime achievement for her contribution to Salsa in the UK and more recently for pioneering Kizomba in the UK. Iris is regularly in the press and choreographed and produced two dance theatre productions in the UK. "El Barrio- The Real salsa Musical" and "Heritage". Iris also directed last year's Show "Diaspora Songs" at BATUKE. |
KAZUZA (Angola)
Originally from Angola, Kazuza brings experience, knowledge and joy to his classes. His Kuduro and Coupe Decale classes always leave people with a smile and learning plenty of moves. His experience with Ballet Kilanduliko discovered a real charismatic dancer and teacher. There's only one Kazuza! |  |
 | SIKA TRO ( Benin)
After only a few months of practice, Sika reached the finals of the 2009 UK eliminations to AfricaDancar! She then joined Studio Afro Latino as a Salsa & Kizomba teacher. Her duet ‘African Tango’ was showed for the first time @ BATUKE! in 2010 and more recently invited to the Salsa Kingdom in Liverpool and 'El Grande' in London. She has also taught and performed at various events in the UK or beyond including The London Cuban Congress or most recently at the Kizomba Swimming Pool Festival in France. Sika is also BATUKE's event manager. |
 | TONY PIRATA & AURELIE (France)With the success of their last trip to London with Kizomba UK, they are back by popular demand! Tony is a Kuduro singer & Kizomba dancer & teacher.
Aurelie is a trained dancer and specialized in Samba de Gafieira. she fell in love with Kizomba and brings her grace to her performances. Pirat'itude once again at BATUKE!! |
NEY CORTE REAL (Angola)
An acomplished Ungu player ( berimbau in Brasil) Ney has a long history in Dance and drama. In the early 90's he was part of an act called "Corujo e a Corujinha" who spread Kizomba dance in Portugal with their special take on acrobatics and comedy. Ney has worked for dance companies in Angola and currently teaches Kizomba and delivers music workshops in Leicester. More recently formed Kizomba Yeto, a group dedicated to promoting Angolan culture to children. |  |
 | EZEQUIEL BARBOSA (Cabo Verde) From Cape-Verde , Ezequiel Barbosa arrived in Portugal a few years ago and is now studying @ Universidade do Porto, North Portugal. There, he won winning numerous funana competitions as well as performing and teaching traditional Cape-Verdean dances with various dance companies, one of them being in Paris, France. A regular guest at renowned dance festivals in Portugal such as AfricaDancar, Andancas or Sao Pedro De Moel, his class are refreshing and energetic. |
RIQUITA ALTA (Angola/UK)Less well known Riquita was instrumental in getting Kizomba started in the UK together with Iris De Brito and Kwenda. She teaches the Angolan style where she's originally from and is quite thorough in her classes. Discover the UK talent!
|  |
 | GIOVANNI FERRARI & ULLA (Brasil)
A beautiful partnership, Giovanni organizes the Lambada congress in London and is well known in the Brasilian scene in London for his carisma and fluid style of dancing. Together with Ulla "the most beautiful legs" you will find their Samba de Gafiera classes exciting and with lots in common with Kizomba. |
LUCIANO KIMBUNDO (Angola)
Born in Angola.Luciano is an avid and dedicated capoeirista. His discipline has made him an amazing athlete and interpreter. He loves to teach and promote his culture to the world. He works with Studio Afro Latino in various projects and performed at BATUKE 2010 as part of Iris De Brito production "Diaspora Songs". The style of Capoeira he dedicates to is the Angolan Style and he also plays the Ungo ( Berimbau in Brasil) and sings. Luciano has recently started exploring more traditional rhythms and collaborating with KambaSemba, an acoustic Band lead by Ney Corte Real. |  |
Teeyahmiguel monteiro, mgl dance, kizomba brixton
 | STUDIO AFRO LATINO STUDENT TEAM (Misc) This team is the performance team for S.A.L. They are from various parts of the world and they joined the Batuke Project to have a go at performing on stage. They are not professionals but have plenty of good energy and dedication! Don't miss their show! |
HERNANI MANGOPE ( Angola / UK)
Hernani is native of Angola, the birthplace of Kizomba. As part of his cultural background, Hernani learned to dance at a young age. He is responsible for the creation of Kizmania Angola the first exclusively Kizomba company in the Midlands, being the lead Kizomba instructor, he currently teaches regular classes for all levels in the Midlands and has been delivering workshops in several cities in UK and other European countries. |  |
 | LILIANA MARTINS ( CABO VERDE/UK) Lili is an acomplished performer and singer. Dedicating most of her skills to Brasilian dance, in recent years she is re-discovering her roots and including in her repertoire music from cape Verde. Her performance at Batuke 2010 was an emotional rollercoaster and very well received. She will be singing for us at Batuke 2011! |
YAMIDE & JOEL ( Guadeloupe )
Yamide and Joel are a couple who specializes in Criole & Gwoka culture from Martinique and Guadeloupe. They have attended numerous festivals and events promoting, dance, language and history. Their knowledge and warmth made for a successful class at Batuke 2010 and we are happy to have them back.. |  |
 | LOIC PELNICE & MARIE-LAURE (France)
Both from Guadeloupe, Loic and Marie-Laure live in Paris where they made a storming entrance into the kizomba scene earlier this year thanks to an impressive performance at the qualifiers for AfricaDancar in France where they enjoy a growing popularity from North to South! |
EDDY VENTS ( Guine Bissau)
Is a well respected Kizomba teacher/promoter in the UK. He brings his knowledge of music to the dances he teaches.Together with his Pitanga Group, he's trying to ensure students receive proper training and understanding of the history of Kizomba and its influences. |  |
 | VICTOR & CORALIE (Portugal / France)
Respectively from Portgual and Martinique, Victor and Coralie discovered Kizomba in Lisbon a few years ago. They've been instrumental in popularizing Kizomba in France and are regularly invited to various events in Paris and beyond. Un certain 'je ne sais quoi'... |
Douglas Gomes (Brazil)
Douglas Gomes is from Brazil where he trained at 'Bailar Escola de Danca de Salão'. Now teaching at the London School of Samba since 2006, Douglas is also a qualified instructor in other dances such as Salsa & Tango! More about Douglas on www.DouglasDance.com |  |
 | MARIO LOPEZ ( Cuba)
Mario López-Goicoechea joined Havana's University Folkloric Ensemble in 1994 as a performer and later as the company's PR remained with the company until November, 1997 when he came to live in the UK. He has taught extensively both Afro-Cuban and Cuban popular dances.He has also written and contributed pieces about dance for The Guardian, Noticias, Hotfoot and Time Out. |
