Brazilian Beatz Team
Leonardo and Becky are Professional Dance Instructors whom currently travel the World Dancing, specializing in Brazilian Zouk, Samba de Gafieira and other Brazilian Dance Styles. They are invited to Teach and Perform at Congresses, Workshops and Festivals all over the World.
By @Dimsim.media
Leonardo
Leonardo Neves is one of the (Directors & owners of Brazilian Beatz Dance Academy) began dancing at 8 years old as an after school program, this is where his passion for Dance began. From this, Leo spent the next 6 years attending various dance schools in Rio de Janeiro, studying Bolero, Soltinho, Samba De Gafieira, Samba no pé, Lindy hop, Salsa and Forro.
When he was 12 years old, Leo began learning from Zouk creators; Renata and Adilio, in their Dance Company. Here Leo studied Brazilian Zouk, and other Brazilian and Latin Dance styles for 7 Years. Over this time he performed with the company at different events including Congresses and Theatres. He competed with various dance partners and won 1st Place in the “Onda Zouk“ Competition with his dance partner at the time; Vanessa Ferreira, Which was the first Brazilian Zouk Competition in Rio de Janeiro. After some time he became the dance partner of Renata Pecanha, travelling, teaching regular classes, Workshops, Congresses and performing with her across Brazil at the age of 15.
From 2009 to 2012 Leo traveled both Nationally (in Brazil) and Internationally teaching and performing from small events to some of the biggest Congresses in the World With His dance partner at the time; Layssa Liebscher.
At the beginning of 2013 Leonardo started his new partnership with Becky Crystal. They traveled all around the world teaching in many countries such as Czech Republic, Brazil, Ukraine, Netherland, Switzerland, Cyprus, USA, Australia, Bali, Singapore, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, Belgium, Austria, Croatia and many others, where they were invited by local teachers and organisers to help the local communities and teachers to grow with their dance. Leo also travels with Becky Crystal to give teachers courses around the world so the local teachers can grow their communities with quality .
Leo is an instructor in Christchurch, New Zealand, teaching Brazilian and Latin Dance Classes, specialising in Salsa, Bachata, Brazilian Zouk, Forró, Samba No Pé, Kizomba, Boléro, Soltinho, Samba De Gafieira, Merengue, Funk, Axé, Lambada and other dance styles.
He studied 3 years of Tap dance, Ballet, Contemporary, contact & Improvisation, Capoeira and other styles.
At Brazilian Beatz we have an incredible team of dance instructors, come along and meet them at our next beginners dance class!
By @Dimsim.media
By @Dimsim.media
Becky Crystal is one of the (Directors & owners of Brazilian Beatz Dance Academy).
Becky begun dancing in High School where she studied Dance as a Subject. She learnt to Choreograph, Document and Videograph different styles of dance. She then went into Latin American Dancing at Colleen Murray Dance Studio, during this time she studied a little of Samba, Jive, Cha Cha Cha, and Rumba in the Latin American Genre. She competed in local Dancesport competitions in her level and made a placing in every competition. Within 10 months of training she competed in one of the biggest dance competitions in New Zealand in 30 years the ISDF. The same day she was selected to go to Australia to dance on a television program called ‘Strictly Dancing’. After a few competitions and a few years she started dancing more of the Street Latin Styles, she studied Salsa, Street Cha, Merengue and Bachata. She performed and competed for some years, in these styles. In this time she entered into the South Islands (Teachers Level), the Nationals (Professional level) and even started a Bachata Team which she trained and took to the New Zealand Pacific Salsa Congress. Her team was selected to Perform in Australia at the Sydney Salsa Congress.
Becky then began her interest in Brazilian dance styles and traveled to Brazil to expand her knowledge in these styles of dance. She taught on a Cruise ship event organised by ‘World Salsa Tours’.
At the beginning of 2013 Becky started her partnership with Leonardo Neves. They travel all around the world teaching in many countries such as Czech Republic, Brazil, Ukraine, Netherland, Switzerland, Cyprus, USA, Australia, Bali, Singapore, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Croatia and many others. They are invited by local teachers and organisers to help the local communities and teachers to grow with their dance. Becky also travels with Leo to give teachers courses internationally so the local teachers in their countries can grow their communities with quality.
Becky Teaches Brazilian and Latin Dance Classes she is an instructor in Christchurch, New Zealand. she specialises in Salsa - Bachata - Brazilian Zouk - Forró -Samba No Pé - Kizomba - Boléro - Soltinho - Samba De Gafieira - Merengue - Lambada and other dance styles.
Becky
By @Dimsim.media
Together Leonardo and Becky are the Creators of the “Three Points of Manipulation”, specializing in Body Movement in the dance of Zouk.
By @Dimsim.media
Corwin
Corwin Ruegg delivers over 10 years of experience and knowledge in various Latin styles. His journey started with a bachelor in musicianship and music theory before he discovered dance.
Corwin has trained as both student and instructor, nationally and internationally with highly regarded industry professionals including New Zealand’s own Becky and Leo.
He is known on the stage as a talented choreographer and performer, successfully competing in many competitions both nationally and internationally.
Corwin is also widely regarded on the social floor as a smooth lead and versatile dancer, sought after for his connection, floorcraft and musicality.
By @Dimsim.media
Kat
Kat Maxwell has been dancing Latin styles such as Salsa and Bachata since 2012 in Christchurch. After being introduced to Samba De Gafieira in 2013 she soon discovered Brazilian Zouk that same year which ignited her true passion for dance.
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Since then, she has trained in Forro, Bolero, Soltinho, Samba no Pe, Cha Cha and Contemporary as an addition to the above.
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She has trained, competed and performed with E Dance Productions in Cha Cha and on2 Salsa (Mambo) in New Zealand and Australia.
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Kat is trained in education, she studied at the University of Canterbury in a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in primary education. This coupled with her training with Leo and Becky at Brazilian Beatz as their student since 2015, part of their team from 2016, and then as one of their teachers since 2018, Kat has extensive experience in teaching holistically, incorporating various learning styles into her pedagogy.
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Training with Leo and Becky as part of their team at Brazilian Beatz has inspired her to take the skills and techniques she has learnt to competitions in New Zealand, Australia and Brazil.
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At the beginning of 2020 Kat travelled to Brazil for 6 weeks of intensive training in Brazilian Zouk, to progress her own dancing and to bring back the information, flavour, and passion for her students. This trip saw her competing in the Rio Zouk Congress Intermediate Jack and Jill and completing her certificate in Renata Peçanha’s 2020 week-long Teachers Course. As she believes that a being a teacher means being a student for a lifetime.
By @Dimsim.media
Talita
Talita Tavares began her career in 2003 at the Nucleo de Dança Vinicius da Costa in Goiania-Brazil dancing many types of partner dance such as Salsa, Samba, Forro, Bolero, Tango, Soltinho and Zouk. She became a teacher after 2 years due to her commitment and discipline, training up to 8 hours per day.
Over a 5-year period, she took 6 instructional courses for teachers and perfected the art of teaching with master Jaime Aroxa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She attended several congresses such as the International Salsa Congress in São Paulo twice and the International Zouk Congress in Brasilia also twice teaching classes and/or attending courses.
In 2008, Talita, with her two partners, opened her school in Brazil - Movimento Companhia de Dança, which fast became the largest school in the state, reaching 450 students and 8 teachers.
In 2009 she was invited to teach in Spain. With two years in Europe, she established herself as a Latin dance teacher and it was there that she learned Bachata. She appears on the news in the city of Salamanca with the largest Latin dance classes in the city with approximately 45 students. In Spain she also taught at the Bachata Congress in Sevilla and Sensual Congress in Madrid in 2009.
In 2010 Talita set out on a new challenge, to evolve her dance, learn new rhythms and dive deeper into the various dance and didactic teaching styles that exist; traveling, attending congresses, and taking classes with different teachers across the world.
Later, in 2015, she moved to New Zealand and started teaching in Auckland with the company Zoukart, taking two choreographies to different congresses in Australia and New Zealand.
2018 saw her taking her work to Tauranga, New Plymouth and Hawera, doing her best to grow the dance scene and share everything she brought from Brazil.
Most recently, in 2019, Talita moved to Christchurch-NZ and joined Leo & Becky and the Brazilian Beatz Team at Brazilian Beatz Dance Academy to add, share, and learn with them.
By @Dimsim.media
Yuri
Yuri started his dance journey in Christchurch, New Zealand, dancing Ballroom at the age of 8. Over the course of 2 years, he qualified for silver medals in both Latin and New Vogue with high commendations for the NZ federation of dance teachers inc., along with many first, second, and third placings. Over the next 10 years he danced Ballroom intermittently while focusing on his schoolwork in Primary and Secondary schools.
Yuri then went to the University of Canterbury in 2015. It was there that he discovered the University Dance Club – U Can Dance which reignited his passion for dance, this time in Street Latin styles such as Salsa, Bachata and Merengue, and Modern Jive. This led to his discovery of Brazilian Zouk through a 5-week specialty course. After seeing the artists demo, he was hooked, and after the 5-week course was completed he participated in Christchurch’s contingent of the Worldwide International Zouk Day.
During this time he also joined Latin Fire to further pursue Salsa, Bachata and Cha Cha to which he then competed and performed with their team.
Yuri soon joined Leo and Becky at their newly opened school Brazilian Beatz Dance Academy to learn Brazilian Zouk from them which then developed into joining the Brazilian Beatz Team, and then the Teachers Team in 2017. Being a part of the Team at Brazilian Beatz gave Yuri the opportunity to learn and develop in the Brazilian styles of dance such as Brazilian Zouk, Samba de Gafieira, Samba no Pe, Bolero, Forro, Soltinho and Funk.
He has competed nationally in NZ and internationally in Australia in Brazilian Zouk. Placing third in 2018 in the Novice category in the international competition Jack & Jill at Casa Do Zouk on the Gold Coast, then progressing him to Intermediate. He then placed first in the team’s category with Brazilian Beatz, another first in the open freestyle section with Kat Maxwell, both in 2019 at the South Island Latin competition in NZ.
Yuri has an extreme eye for detail, logic and problem solving and has been DJing at Brazilian Beatz for the last few years. This along with his training with Leo and Becky has developed his passion in teaching, giving emphasis to technique, and making dance feel natural and comfortable, giving his students the skills and knowledge to adapt to any kind of music to make any dance enjoyable.
By @Dimsim.media
Portfolio
Leo & Becky's Portfolio
2013
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Congress - Summer Zouk in Rio 2013 11-13 January 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Workshops - Zouk Rush 20-24 February 2013 Singapore
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Teachers - Rio Rhythmics Crew 1-23 March 2013 Brisbane, Australia
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Congress - West Zouk Time 12-14 April 2013 Brno, Czech Republic
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Congress - 2nd Annual Sabor Spring Festival 19-21 April 2013 Zagreb, Croatia
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Workshops - Zoukalicious Special, Zouk Vienna 1-7 May 2013 Vienna, Austria
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Workshops - Weekend Zouk avec Leo & Becky 25,26 May 2013 Paris, France
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Congress - Zouk World Cup 2013 30-3 June 2013 Zurich, Switzerland
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Congress - Corpo Carioca Zouk International Congress 14-16 June St Petersburg, Russia
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Teachers - Rio Zouk Style Summer Course 18 June - 6 July 2013 Helsinki, Finland
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Congress - Zouk in Rio 18-21 July 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Workshops - Relampago de Zouk – Escola do Jaime Aroxa 4 Aug 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Workshop - Workshop de Danca - Academa Evidence 24 Aug 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Congress - 2 Congresso cia Samba e Zouk 6,7,8 Sept 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Congress - 1 Congresso de Danca de Salao em Teresopolis 14,15 Sept 2013 Teresopolis, Brazil
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Workshops – Zoukeado 13 Oct 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Festival – Helsinki Zouk Festival 8,9,10 Nov 2013 Helsinki, Finland
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Classes – Zouk Vienna 3-20 Dec 2013 Vienna, Austria
2014
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Performance -Samba Manicos 5 Jan 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Congresso - Congresso International de Zouk e Lambada 9,10,11,12 Jan 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Workshops – Escola CIA 19,20 Jan 2014 Brasilia, Brazil
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Festival – Zouk Meets Snow 31,1,2 Feb 2014 Rigi, Switzerland
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Workshops – Kriz Zouk 3,4 Feb 2014 Zurich, Switzerland
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Workshops – ZO!Ukraine Bootcamp 6-11 Feb 2014 Kiev, Ukraine
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Congresso – West Zouk Time 14,15,16 Feb 2014 Brno, Czech Republic
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Workshops – Zouk Kiss Cyprus 21,22,23 Feb 2014 Limassol, Cyprus
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Workshops – SwedZouk 28,1 2 March 2014 Uppsala, Sweden
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Workshops - Zouk do Brasil 7,8,9 March 2014 Paris, France
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Congress - Festival Internacional de Enertenimento Latino 11,12,13 April 2014 Brasillia, Brazil
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Workshops- Zouk Forever - Nucleo de Danca Allan Lobato 26,27 April 2014 Cabo Frio, Brazil
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Workshops- Workshop de Zouk – Escola do Jaime Aroxa 18 May 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Congress- New Zealand Salsa Congress 30,31,1 June 2014 Wellington, New Zealand
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Event- Bazouka 18,19,20 July 2014 Auckland, New Zealand
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Competitions-Salsa Solo New Zealand 1,2 August 2014 Christchurch, New Zealand
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Workshops- Zouk and Samba de Gafieira 6 September 2014 Auckland, New Zealand
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Festival- Helsinki Zouk Festival 31 Oct-2 Nov 2014 Helsinki, Finland
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Congresso- Dutch Zouk Congress 23-27 Oct 2014 Breda, Holland
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Workshops- Cologne Zouk Workshops 9 Nov 2014 Cologne, Germany
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Brazouka- Live On Stage Show in Theatres 30 Nov-31 Dec Melbourne, Gold Coast, Australia
2015
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Brazouka- Live On Stage Show in Theatres 1 Jan - 18 Jan 2015 Gold Coast, Australia
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Congresso - Sydney Latin Festival 22-25 Jan 2015 Sydney, Australia
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Congress- LA Zouk Congress 30 Apr- 4 May 2015 California, America
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Event- F&A and L&B Weekend 10,11,12 Jul 2015 Christchurch New Zealand
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Congresso- Casa do Zouk 24-26 July 2015 Gold Coast, Australia
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Event- Latin Divas, Brazilian Stylz 9,10,11 Oct 2015 Auckland, New Zealand
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Workshops- SwedZouk Leo och Becky i Uppsala 16,17,18 Oct 2015 Uppsala, Sweden
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Congress- Helsinki Zouk Festival 23,24,25 Oct 2015 Helsinki, Finland
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Congress- Dutch Zouk Congress 29 Oct- 4 Nov 2015 Breda, Holland
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Workshops- Zouk Weekend - Bremen 7,8 Nov 2015 Bremen, Germany
2016
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Congress - Sydney Latin Festival 29-31 Jan 2016 Sydney, Australia
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Festival- New Zealand Brazilian Dance Festival 15-17 Apr 2016 Christchurch, New Zealand
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Congress- LA Zouk and Kizomba Congress 28 Apr - 2 May 2016 California, America
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Judging - South Island Salsa Competition 24 September 2016 Christchurch, New Zealand
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Congress - Diva's Weekend 30-1 October 2016 Auckland, New Zealand
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Judging - NZ Salsa Open Competition 19 November 2016 Auckland, New Zealand
2017
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Congress - Australian WCS & Zouk Championships 24-27 February 2017 Gold Coast, Australia
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Workshops - Zouk Dance Academy Workshops 7-12 March 2017 Singapore
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Congress - XII Congreso de Zouk en Galicia 17-19 March 2017 Galicia, Spain
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Congress - NZ Brazilian Dance Festival 20-23 April 2017 Christchurch, New Zealand
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Congress - LA Zouk Congress 4-7 May 2017 Los Angeles, USA
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Congress - NZ Salsa Congress 2-5 June 2017 Wellington, New Zealand
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Fundraiser - Dance 4 Life Fundraiser 21-23 July 2017 Melbourne, Australia
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Congress - Casa do Zouk 27-30 July 2017 Gold Coast, Australia
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Congress - Russian Zouk Congress 11-13 August 2017 Moscow, Russia
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Workshop - Dutch Zouk Teachers Course 13-16 October 2017 Breda, Holland
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Congress - Dutch Zouk Congress 18-25 October 2017 Breda, Holland
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Workshops - SwedZouk Weekend 27-29 October 2017 Uppsala, Sweden
2018
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Congress - VI International Rio Zouk Congress 11-14 January 2018 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Congress - Brazouky 16-18 February 2018 Melbourne, Australia
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Performance- Latino Market Performance 24 February 2018 Christchurch, New Zealand
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Congress - XIII Congreso Zouk & Samba 16-18 March 2018 Galicia, Spain
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Congress - Nz Brazilian Dance Festival 19-22 April 2018 Christchurch, New Zealand
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Congress - NZ Salsa Congress 1-3 June 2018 Wellington, New Zealand
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Congress - Casa do Zouk 19-22 July 2018 Gold Coast, Australia
Flyers
Below are Flyers from some of the events Leonardo and Becky have taught at around the World.
(Click to see the full Flyer)
 Helsinki Zouk Festival 2015 |
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 Dutch Zouk Congress |
 NZ Brazilian Dance Festival 2016 |
 Corpo Carioca Zouk Congress 2013 |
 Vienna Workshops |
 Congresso International de Zouk |
 Zouk Meets Snow - Zurich |
 Vienna Workshop |
 International Zouk & Samba Congress |
 West Zouk Time - Czech |
 Helsinki Zouk Festival 2013 |
 Workshop Relampago de Zouk - Brazil |
 Workshops - Ukraine |
 Congress - Brazil |
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 Workshop - Brazil |
 Zouk in Rio - Brazil |
 Congresso de Danca Teresopolis |
 Sabor Spring Festival - Croatia |
 International Congress de Zouk |
 Workshop - Paris |
 Dutch Zouk Congres |
 F.I.E.L - Brazil |
 Workshop - Sweden |
 L.A. Zouk Congress - America |
 Corpo Carioca Congress - Russia |
 Casa do Zouk - Australia |
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 Sydney Latin Festival - Australia |
 Casa do Zouk - Australia |
 Brazouka in Theatres - Australia |
 New Zealand Brazilian Dance Festival |
 Dutch Zouk Congress |
 Judges for NZ Salsa Competition |
 Casa do Zouk - Australia |
 Sydney Latin Festival - Australia |
 Workshop - New Zealand |
 Dutch Zouk Congress 2014 - Holland |
 Helsinki Zouk Festival 2014- Finland |
 West Zouk Time - Czech |
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 New Zealand Salsa Congress |
 F.I.E.L - Brazil |
 Cyprus |
 Zouk Meets Snow - Switzerland |
 Workshop - Cyprus |
 Workshop - Finland |
 Workshop - Ukraine |
 Workshop - Cyprus |
 New Zealand Salsa Congress |
Corpo Carioca Zouk Congress - Russia |
 Workshop - Finland |
 Workshop - Paris |
 Workshop - New Zealand |
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 Zouk Course - New Zealand |
 Dutch Zouk Congress - Holland |
 Zouk Course - New Zealand |
 F.I.E.L - Brazil |
 Workshop - Brazil |
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 NZ Salsa Congress |
 Zouk World Cup - Zurich |
 Workshop - Brazil |
 Zouk World Cup - Switzerland |
 Workshop - Switzerland |
 Workshop - Brazil |
 F.I.E.L - Brazil |
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 Zouk Zurich Congress |
 Congress - Brazil |
 Helsinki Zouk Festival 2015- Finland |
 Helsinki Zouk Festival 2015- Finland |
 Latin Divas - New Zealand |
Judges NZ Salsa Solos Competition |
Casa do Zouk - Australia |
Sydney Latin Festival - Australia |
Bazouka Workshop |
Dutch Zouk Congress |
Helsinki Zouk Congress 2014 |
Casa do Zouk - Australia |
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Sydney Latin Festival - Australia |
Casa do Zouk - Australia |
Brazouka in Theatres - Australia |
New Zealand Brazilian Dance Festival |
Dutch Zouk Congress |
Judges for NZ Salsa Competition |
Casa do Zouk - Australia |
Sydney Latin Festival - Australia |
Workshop - New Zealand |
Dutch Zouk Congress 2014 - Holland |
Helsinki Zouk Festival 2014- Finland |
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Christchurch Central
NEW ZEALAND
BRAZILIAN BEATZ
Dance Academy