Meet
Paulo & Luiza
Brazilian artists based in Miami, Paulo & Luiza are dancers, choreographers, and instructors recognized as leading references in Brazilian Zouk. They began their partnership in 2014 and have since built an international career, traveling worldwide to teach, perform, and share their passion for dance. Today, they are regularly invited to judge major competitions, including the Brazilian Zouk World Championships, Brasil Latin Open, Euroson Latino, and many other events around the world.
They direct the Miami Beach Zouk Festival and lead Zouk United in Miami and Boston, connecting local communities to the global Zouk scene. Their work is guided by a unique methodology built on three pillars: Clean (Look Good), Functional, and Comfortable, helping dancers become not only technically refined, but also expressive and confident on the dance floor.
Paulo
Dancer · Teacher · Choreographer
Paulo is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer with over 16 years of experience, driven by dance, artistic expression, music, and competition.
His training with Cia Okan, under the guidance of his main masters, Rafael Machado and Geyza Ruiz, helped expand his artistic vision and overall development, shaping the clarity and direction seen in his work today. He was also part of Cia Boombox, directed by Jefferson Dadinho, and had additional experiences with Cia Vanessa Jardim (Samba de Gafieira) and Cia Clube Latino, further enriching his versatility across styles.
Alongside titles with Luiza, he also won Brazil Zouk Open 2012 with Janaina Martins and Zouk Day 2012 with Erika Baggi.
Luiza
Dancer · Performer · Choreographer
Luiza began studying classical ballet at age six and has since performed and competed throughout Brazil in both solo and duo dance.
Her background includes over 20 years of classical ballet training, having completed her formal education in Rio Grande do Sul. She also trained with Cisne Negro in Sao Paulo, the Bolshoi School in Joinville.
Across competitions and showcases, she earned several top placements while building the strong technical and artistic foundation that defines her work today. Within Brazilian partner dances, she was part of Conexion Caribe and Cia Okan, where she met her main mentors, Rafael Machado and Geyza Ruiz. As a teacher, she began teaching in 2012 at Solum Escola de Danca in Sao Paulo, where she taught for over nine years. Today, she continues to share her passion for dance worldwide alongside her partner, Paulo Victor.
Achievements
Competitive results, artistic recognition, and years of contribution on stage and beyond it.
4x
Brazilian Zouk World Team Champions
10+
Major festival wins and placements
Global
Judging and coaching presence
Choreographers / Coaches / Rehearsal Directors
Dancing
Judges at Prominent International Competitions
The Journey
More than a partnership on stage, they built a home for Brazilian Zouk around community, continuity, and direction.
Paulo & Luiza's trajectory moves from competition and performance into something broader: a long-term commitment to artistic leadership and scene-building.
Through classes, mentorship, festival direction, and local community work, they turned experience into structure and created spaces where dancers can grow with consistency.
01
From training to identity
Their path started in Brazil through deep technical training, stage experience, and years of competitive work that shaped a clear artistic voice.
02
Building a shared direction
As a partnership, Paulo & Luiza transformed performance experience into teaching, choreography, and a consistent vision for community development.
03
Creating Zouk United
That vision evolved into Zouk United, a space designed to strengthen local scenes, connect dancers, and support sustainable growth in Miami and Boston.