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ABOUT RIO BEATZ

Are you ready for Rio Beatz Zouk Festival 2025?!

Rio Beatz Zouk Festival 2025

 

Rio Beatz Zouk Festival is bringing the Brazilian/Rio de Janeiro Heat 🔥

We are already so excited for 2025! We will keep the structure of intensive learning with the best quality teachers and keep the energy on fire!

Rio Beatz Zouk Festival has been created to focus on intensive training to ensure a better development and process of learning. It will provide the students a better understanding of their bodies and the movements. As our Brazilian Beatz slogan says: “We create Dancers”

This incredible weekend will be full of amazing workshops, parties, good vibes and intensives with incredible dance instructors from around New Zealand and the world! Do not miss the chance to learn from these incredible people!

We will have 15 hours of Intermediate/Advanced intensive training on
– Monday the 6th of October
– Tuesday the 7th of October
– Wednesday the 8th of October

Split into 5 hours per day with each couple, passes can be purchased with the 3 days inclusive on our website.

In order to attend the intensive trainings (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) it is important that you have had more than 10 months attending regular zouk classes.

Note that the passes for the intensives Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday are not included in the full pass for Rio Beatz, happening from the 10th, 11th and 12th of October 2025.

GET YOUR SPOT

ABOUT RIO BEATZ

Rio Beatz Zouk Festival 2024 it is getting bigger and better!

This incredible weekend will be full of amazing workshops, parties, good vibes and intensives with incredible dance instructors from around New Zealand and the World! Do not miss the chance to learn from those incredible people!

We will have 10 hours of Intermediate/Advanced Intensive training on Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd of October 2024 with Freddy & Andressa – Marck & Melyssa – Renata & Jorge – Pedrinho & Paloma. Split into 5 hours per day, passes can be purchased separately for the 2 days or together.

Note that the passes for the intensives Tuesday and Wednesday are not included in the full pass for Rio Beatz, happening from Thursday-Sunday.

Book your class
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Intensive Early Bird 1

INTENSIVE

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
$ 280 Leader
  • PRE RIO BEATZ
  • Limited Spots
GET YOURS NOW

2 in stock

INTENSIVE

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
$ 280 Followers
  • PRE RIO BEATZ
  • Limited Spots
GET YOURS NOW

2 in stock

INTENSIVE

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
$560
$ 540 Couple
  • PRE RIO BEATZ
  • Limited Spots
GET YOURS NOW

1 in stock

Weekend Early Bird 2

Weekend Pass + Parties

(Doesn't include Mon/Tue/Wed Pass)
$ 390 Leader
  • 3 Days of classes and parties pass
GET YOURS NOW

1 in stock

Weekend Pass + Parties

(Doesn't include Mon/Tue/Wed Pass)
$ 390 Followers
  • 3 Days of classes and parties pass
GET YOURS NOW

1 in stock

Weekend Pass + Parties

(Doesn't include Mon/Tue/Wed Pass)
$ 750 Couple
  • 3 Days of classes and parties pass
GET YOURS NOW

Out of stock

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Our Line Up

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Wesley and Rachel
RB25_ART_LAYSSA (1)
Learn More About Layssa
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Val and Vanessa
RB25_ART_LEO (1) (1)
Learn More About Leo
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Learn More About Natasa & Corwin
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Learn More About Marck & Melyssa
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Learn More About Natasa & Yuri
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Learn More About Phoebe & Dharsh
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RB25_ART_S&B
Learn More About Shannon & Trajano
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Start Your Journey

Hundreds of creative and performing classes

GET YOUR PASS TODAY

— Discover the dance —

Contact

  • Rio Beatz - 2024 - All rights reserved
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Location

  • Christchurch NEW ZEALAND

Freddy & Andressa

They are both Brazilians, specialized in Brazilian Zouk due to their years of experience studying and teaching in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, in the most respected Zouk school in the world, where they were also formed as teachers, and due to their many years traveling around the globe spreading this dance in many different countries.

Other dance styles like Jazz, Classic and Contemporary Ballet, were studied for long years increasing their techniques.

Worked as ballet dancers for Walt Disney World Brazil making Disney Parades in different states within Brazil. After successfully introducing, developing and establishing Brazilian Zouk and Samba de Gafieira in Moscow – Russia for 2 years, they currently have been developing the same dances in Helsinki – Finland, where they built one of the best Zouk scenes in Europe when it comes to quality, and also, organize the biggest Zouk Festival of Scandinavia.

Owners of the Helsinki Dance Central – Dance Academy, and champions in many different Zouk competitions, they also judge several Zouk Championships and Jack & Jill competitions around the world.
Freddy and Andressa have became highly respected teachers and performers and one of the main couples spreading Brazilian Zouk world wide!!

Layssa Valentina

Layssa Valentina has been a bubbly and happy soul since as a child. Her nickname was “risadinha” which in portugues means “little laugh”.
Her bright personality and love for movement became stronger when 2 of her best friends from school were doing ballet lessons and after watching her first ballet performance she was completely in love. Her dance journey started right away when she was 13 years old at Ballet Sandra Castro. Since then she never stopped.
She learned from great schools like Petite Danse, Centro de Danca Rio, Conservatorio Brasileiro de Danca in Rio de Janeiro and also was part of Marcia Pinheiro Dance Company from 2007 to 2010, until she finds her love for Brazilian Zouk.
Layssa joined Renata Pecanha’s dance company in 2007 where she learned all brazilian partner dance styles like Samba de Gafieira, Bolero, Forro, Soltinho and of course, Brazilian Zouk. It was love at first sight.
She performed, won competitions and taught representing Renata’s company for 2 years dancing with Leonardo Neves, until they together decided to fly solo.
Layssa and Leonardo builded an amazing career together for 6 years, beeing the youngest dance couple in the scene to travel all over Europe, Russia and Australia but also all around Brazil. Their partnership came to an end in 2012, where Layssa decided to move to Adelaide and settle opening her own dance school along with Arthur Santos for 7 years.
They together travel all over the world being well know by their precise and deep understanding of technique and mentoring great numbers of dancers through the years.
Now, Layssa is flying completely solo in her new journey to self discovery where she completed her degree in Contemporary Dance at ACArts, Yoga Teachers Training, Reiki 1, Transcendental Meditation and going deeper in her Yoga knowledge to bring together her new dance method where the intention is to help you find surrendering and understanding in dance from the inside out. Her methodology is called ‘Zouk Soul Flow’ and she offers 200 hours Brazilian Zouk Teachers Training & Retreats in Bali and overseas.

RAFAEL & JULIANA

Friends and part of the same dance company since 2008, Juliana Lima and Rafael Pitarello became official dance partners in 2011 and started to develop different projects and choreographies since then, including being part of important events and festivals around the world.

In 2016, they moved to Brisbane – Australia, where they have been promoting and strengthening the Brazilian dance culture, with an emphasis on Brazilian Zouk, Samba de Gafieira, Bolero and Lambada, as part of the Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy team and teaching at different events around Australia and overseas, such as Casa do Zouk, Brisbane Zouk Festival, BraZouky, Dutch Zouk Congress, Samba Treffen, NZ Latin Dance Championships.

JULIANA LIMA

Juliana has always been passionate about dance, after doing Jazz for a few years she decided to take a trial partner dance class (Danca de Salao- ‘the Brazilian Ballroom’) when she was just 14 years old and hasn’t stopped since. Being part of different festivals and events competing with Jazz and partner dance choreos, she decided to dive deeper into dancing by taking a specialization course for partner dance instructors and choreographers with a two year duration. Ju is also graduated in Social Communication with an emphasis on Public Relations by Cásper Líbero Foundation, SP- Brazil, and further developed her studies in health and fitness by becoming an authorized Fitness Instructor in Australia.

RAFAEL PITARELLO

Rafael has always been connected to Brazilian culture through music and dance. Parading as percussionist in Carnaval since he was 11, Rafael started his dance journey when he turned 16 and has been developing his career since then, being part of various events, festivals and dance congresses, including joining the Dancing Team of Costa Cruises for two seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) touring around Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. In order to have a deeper understanding about movement, exercise and health Rafa graduated in Physical Education with specialization in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Physical Education by the Dante Pazzanese Cardiology Institute – SP, Brazil and has a project where he teaches elderly people how to keep active through dance.

Leonardo Neves

Leonardo Neves is the (Directors & owner 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 Peçanha and Adilio Porto, 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.

Corwin Ruegg

Corwin:

Corwin Ruegg delivers over 12 years of experience and knowledge in various Latin styles. His journey started with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in musicianship and music theory, before he discovered Latin dance.

 

Corwin discovered Brazilian Zouk in 2011 and quickly fell in love with the style. He jumped at every opportunity to learn from both local and international instructors. In 2015 he became a student of Professional International Instructors Leo & Becky and joined their dance company Brazilian Beatz Dance Academy where he has continued to train as both student and instructor with Leo Neves. He’s taught at Leo and Becky’s events Brazilian Zouk intensive training event; Rio Beatz and Bachaotearoa and he continues to further his knowledge with highly regarded industry professionals in New Zealand and overseas.

 

He is known on the stage as a talented choreographer and performer, successfully competing in many competitions both nationally and internationally and uses his connection, floor-craft, and passion for musicality to be a versatile lead on the social dance floor.

Kat Maxwell

Kat Maxwell ignited her passion for dancing in 2013 when she first discovered Brazilian Zouk. Already dancing Latin styles such as Salsa, Bachata and the Brazilian dance Samba De Gafieira since 2012 in Christchurch, she soon started training in Forro, Bolero, Soltinho, Funk, and Samba no Pe with Leo and Becky at Brazilian Beatz Dance Academy in Christchurch, NZ. She has since added Cha Cha and Contemporary as an addition to her repertoire.

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 2017, Kat has extensive experience in teaching holistically, incorporating various learning styles into her pedagogy.

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. She has taught at Leo and Becky’s events; RioBeatz and Bachaotearoa along with other events throughout NZ, Australia and Bali.

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. Since then, she has completed Kadu and Larissa’s Teachers and Judges training, and continues her mentorship with Leo Neves, teaching, attending classes, and training every week.  As she believes that being a teacher means being a student for a lifetime.

Marck & Melyssa

International Brazilian Zouk and Lambada dancers
and teachers from São Paulo, Marck & Melyssa, known
by the versatility of styles, energy and technique, began
their studies together and partnership in 2017.
Creators of the group “Geração São Paulo” which aims
to promote the São Paulo’s Brazilian Zouk and Lambada
scene in Brazil and in the World.
They started their international career in 2019, since
then, they have already traveled to 24 countries, sharing
their passion everywhere they go.
They competed in many national and international
Brazilian Zouk and Lambada competitions, such as: IZC
São Paulo – Professional 2017 and 2018: IV International
Rio Zouk Competition – Professional 2018; Brazil Zouk
Open – Professional 2019; Brazil Latin Open – Professional
2019, reaching the podium in all of them; and they’re the
current winners of the Brazilian Zouk World
Championship Showcase online.
Partners and best friends, M&M want to bring people
the happiness that the art of dance brings them,
through a mix of the essence and modernity of Brazilian
Zouk and Lambada.

Natasa 

Natasa Adam’s dance journey began at the age of 4 with ballet and contemporary dance. With 14 years of performance experience, she’s a dance arts college graduate in Greece.

Natasha’s repertoire expanded beyond contemporary to include Latin and Bollywood dance. She’s a prominent member of Greece’s first Bollywood dance academy, captivating audiences at festivals across Europe.

In 2015, Natasha encountered Zouk, and it quickly evolved into a fiery passion. Her journey led her to train under renowned international Zouk instructors. Come 2023, Natasha embarked on a transformative chapter, training with Leo and joining the esteemed Brazilian Beatsz team.

Natasa’s dance story is a testament to unwavering dedication, ever-evolving artistry, and a lifelong love affair with the magic of movement.

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.

Phoebe

Phoebe has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has over 25 years of collective dance experience across Ballet, Gymnastics, Latin Ballroom, and Zouk. Her love for Zouk took over in 2011 and has been her primary focus ever since, leading her to study extensively all over the world. She has been teaching Zouk classes and performance teams for 7 years and will always continue to learn and develop so she can pass her knowledge onto students. She sees Zouk as a graceful conversation between two people and her love for the style has pushed her to be a skilled dancer and teacher.

Drarsh

Dharshana is originally from Sri Lanka and has lived in Auckland, New Zealand for 20 years. He trained and competed in Tae Kwon Do until a friend dragged him to a Salsa class. After discovering Zouk it became his focus, and he has been training and teaching the style ever since.
Dharshana has competed nationally and overseas and won numerous titles in Zouk and Salsa. He has trained multiple performance teams that have gone on perform in several New Zealand congresses. To him, Zouk is an art form and he loves being able to share it with others in the community and see them grow in confidence and skill.

Trajano and Shannon

 

Trajano and Shannon, talented Instructors, Dancers, and Choreographers hailing from Argentina and New Zealand, share a captivating dance journey spanning over a decade. With diverse training backgrounds—Shannon excelling in Jazz, Hip Hop, Salsa, and Contemporary, while Trajano specializes in Martial Arts, Capoeira, Salsa, and Contemporary—they have found their artistic outlet in the world of Brazilian Zouk.

Under their brand, ZOUK ART, they channel their passion into teaching, workshops, private sessions, and mesmerizing choreographies. Since 2012, their globe-trotting pursuit of excellence in Brazilian Zouk has made them a well-acclaimed duo in the national and international dance scene.