Brazilian Zouk, Lambada, Bachazouk, and Bachata—Ana truly does it all, and she does it so beautifully. Her fluid movement, flawless technique, over the top musicality and inspiring energy make her an absolute force of nature on the dance floor. The dance world is lucky to have her, and now you have the chance to learn from her right here in paradise! 

DJ Kakah (Karina Kakah) is a world-renowned DJ, music producer, and educator who has fundamentally transformed the global Brazilian Zouk and Latin fusion dance scenes. Based in Brazil, Kakah has spent over a decade headlining major international festivals across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, earning a reputation as one of the community’s most innovative artists.
Her signature sound seamlessly blends the deep, sensual rhythms of Brazilian Zouk and Kizomba with modern R&B, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. Far more than a traditional DJ, Kakah is a meticulous producer celebrated for her high-quality remixes and original compositions. Her tracks bridge the gap between traditional partner dance structures and contemporary music, making her a staple on playlists and dance floors worldwide.
Kakah’s artistic philosophy centers on the profound connection between music and movement. She translates this mastery into the classroom as a dedicated educator globally. Her classes empower dancers to deconstruct complex rhythms, master phrasing, and express emotion authentically. By teaching artists how to truly hear and interpret music, she bridges the gap between DJ and dancer, elevating the dance floor experience from both sides of the booth.

Felipe Ihara and Bruna Manika are professional dancers and teachers from Curitiba, Brazil, dedicated to sharing their passion for Brazilian Zouk and Lambada with the world. Felipe’s rich background includes formal dance training at the State University of Paraná and the Guaíra Theater Dance School. There is so much joy in watching them dance together, as their vibrant energy lit up the dance floor.

As educators, they are internationally recognized for their advanced, signature spinning technique. Their innovative teaching method bridges dance with concepts of physics and anatomy, making complex movements feel natural, adaptable, and comfortable. Guided by values of joy, respect, and inclusivity, Felipe and Bruna focus on growing a welcoming community. They empower dancers of all levels to find freedom, confidence, and personality in their dances.

Having grown up breathing Zouk at a prestigious school that trained generations of world-class artists, Bruna literally has Zouk in her DNA. She began her dance journey at age four and stepped onto the professional stage since 2015.

Today, she is a global Jack & Jill champion, BZDC-certified head judge, and a proud faculty member at the renowned Núcleo de Dança Renata Peçanha. Bruna’s passion for Zouk has taken her across different countries worldwide, all while she co-organizes Brazil’s largest events, including the Rio Zouk Congress, Lamba Rio, and Zouk in Rio. Get ready to learn from and dance with an international reference and powerhouse of Brazilian Zouk and Lambada!

Kuna’s Brazilian Zouk journey began behind the camera. As an established videographer, his cinematic event films are widely credited with helping put Zouk on the global map. This immersion eventually pulled him onto the dance floor. After studying with world-class instructors and logging over 8,000 hours of social dancing worldwide, the man who once filmed the best dancers became one of the most sought-after social dancers himself.

Today, Kuna is an internationally recognized instructor based at District Zouk in Washington, D.C, Teaching across all levels. He is Known for his ability to make complex mechanics feel intuitive and immediately usable. For Kuna, Zouk is never just about the steps—it is about feeling, adaptability, and genuine connection.

Adayl Iost is a Brazilian dance instructor, DJ, and BZDC Competition Coordinator with over 14 years of international experience. Originally from Araraquara, Brazil, and a member of Grupo Embalanço, Adayl specializes in Brazilian Zouk and contemporary performance. He is a passionate community builder who has catalyzed growth in Zouk and Bachata dance scenes across Denver, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Portland. His teaching is centered on the “why” behind the dance-emphasizing deep partner connection, clean fundamentals, and fluid movement. On the decks, he brings five years of experience playing energetic Zouk sets, and behind the scenes, he offers certified digital BZDC Jack & Jill competition coordination.

Nhat and Gigi are Austin-based Brazilian Zouk educators with ten years of teaching experience. In June 2026, they turned their passion into a full-time career dedicated to connection, inclusivity, and community growth.
Their teaching philosophy focuses on self-acceptance and empowerment. They believe dance floor enjoyment lives within the individual, allowing anyone to create an extraordinary dance regardless of their partner’s skill level. To deliver this mind-body-heart experience, both have trained deeply with the world’s top Zouk masters in Brazil and worldwide, including Renata Peçanha’s teacher training and Bruno Galhardo’s pedagogy training.
Nhat and Gigi welcome dancers of all backgrounds.   On the global stage, they have taught across three continents, including Spain, Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil. Locally, they anchored Austin’s Zouk scene from 2016 through 2026 with weekly classes, and co-founded Forbiddance Fest in 2025. 

Brad Meccia started zouk in 2010 and quickly fell in love with the fluidity and connection.  He has trained throughout the US and Brazil, where his time training with Renata Peçanha in 2016 helped to develop his Rio Zouk style.  In addition to Rio Style, Brad has completed a NeoZouk techniques instructor certification and the Master Braz ELITE Certificate Course.  Outside of dance, Brad received a PhD in biomedical engineering with a focus in biomechanics.  This provides unique insights into movement of the body which allow his instruction to really break down the biomechanics of different motions on a joint-by-joint and muscle-by-muscle basis.

Local Artists & Teachers & Organizers

Lexi X dance N Flow

Lexi is a multidisciplinary visual and movement artist with 13+ years in the Oahu event industry. Her 20-year movement journey began in college with ballroom, theater, and performing arts, followed by aerial arts, pole, and Lyra hoop. In 2016, she discovered Brazilian Zouk—leading to a global pursuit and a pivotal two-month immersion in Rio de Janeiro—before transitioning into teaching and organizing in 2019. Then, fire dance and flow arts entered as the final piece of her art. Today, Lexi’s experience teaching and curating across diverse genres and communities deeply enriches her vision. While thriving in the event atmosphere, she champions Brazilian Zouk’s aspirations to inspiration, as the rich soil that nourishes and enhances dancers across disciplines. Continuously growing and evolving with the dance, the cultural inclusivity, transformative community power, and artistic freedom of Zouk fuel her devotion to bringing the grand vision of the Hawai’i Zouk Wave to life. 

Kimberly & Mic

A believer in the nourishing power of movement, Kimberly Love founded Honolulu Zouk in 2015, where she, Mic Lee, and others have grown a community through classes, socials, performances, and special events,. Kimberly & Mic’s most influential Brazilian Zouk teachers include Ry’el and Jessica, the Ramalhos, Evelyn Magyari, Gui Prada, and Leandro & Nayara. Kimberly has a Bachelor’s in dance and a lifelong enchantment with dance and movement. Mic is a MAC certified teacher. Together they see dance as culturally embedded conversations between people. They strive to help dancers join those conversations through understanding the underlying techniques that enable different possibilities. 

Big Island Joe & Merrin 

Most of our best Zouk memories have Big Island Joe written all over them, and Merrin is just straight-up incredible!……the truth is: They completely skipped on the bio description, but honestly, we respect the laziness. Why waste time typing words when you can just look aggressively cool on the dance floor instead?

Besides, they can’t hide what we all already know: they are constantly holding down the Big Island with regular classes, social dances, and amazing Zouk events.

Come catch the Hawaii Zouk Wave with them!

Mahina

Mahina has been dancing in Hawaiʻi’s Latin dance community for 22 years. She began taking salsa classes in 2004 with Hot Salsa Hawaii and spent the next 12 years performing and teaching weekly classes with the company. In 2016, she discovered zouk and joined the Honolulu Zouk team, where she has spent the last 10 years teaching, performing, and continuing to grow as both a dancer and instructor.

In 2026, Mahina began an exciting new chapter as an independent instructor. She is thrilled to share the wealth of knowledge and experience she’s gained over two decades of dancing, teaching, and performing, and looks forward to helping students build confidence, connection, and a love for dance.

Lena Siemiesz

Lena Siemiesz is a dance teacher based in Hawaiʻi and has been instrumental in the growth of the local Zouk community. She taught the first Zouk class on Maui in 2020 and has helped build connections across the Hawaiian Islands by organizing retreats, hosting workshops, and collaborating with fellow artists.

Her teaching approach, known as Mystic Zouk, integrates principles of energy awareness, presence, and embodied connection into partner dance. Dancing and teaching Zouk since 2016, Lena is passionate about creating spaces where technical skill, authentic expression, and personal transformation unfold together.

Jacquelyn Otto

Jacquelyn Otto is a Brazilian Zouk dance teacher, organizer, and community builder on Oahu. Founder and organizer of Zouk Oahu, where she hosts biweekly Friday workshops, parties, performances and socials centered around connection, learning, collaboration and community. She also teaches progressive Tuesday series with Honolulu Zouk, helping students build confidence, strong foundations, and a deeper love for Brazilian Zouk.

 Jacquelyn’s intention is to help grow the Zouk scene on Oahu in a way that feels welcoming, supportive, and connected. She is also the owner, practitioner, massage therapist, and teacher behind Honolulu Reiki, where she offers Reiki sessions, massage, and Reiki certification courses. Her background in healing, bodywork, and movement brings a grounded, intuitive, and heart centered quality to the spaces she creates.

Nothing lights up her heart more than bringing people together, witnessing their growth, and watching them feel more at home in their own bodies.

Michel Cros

Michel Cros is an accomplished social dancer and professional videographer and photographer. He’s the creative genius behind the lens, capturing every magical moment of the Hawaii Zouk Wave so we can visually relive this unforgettable experience.