San Diego, Calif.
Walter Fernandes
Graduated from the Jaime Aroxa Dance School. He began his dance studies at the age of 15 through the social project "Bem da cabeça aos pés" at the Jaime Aroxa Dance School. In 2012, he joined Cia Dom, a Samba de Gafieira group directed by Patrick Carvalho, and in 2015, they won the Gafieira Brasil award in the "group" category.
He dedicated himself simultaneously to both Samba de Gafieira and Brazilian Zouk, which made him an eccentric professional with excellence in both areas.
He taught both dance styles on an 8-month tour through Russia, Israel, Siberia, Finland, and Belarus. This was the first of many tours that followed, totaling more than 16 countries where he has shared his dance.
He is credited with introducing Brazilian Zouk to the community in Israel, now known as "Zouko." He currently travels the world teaching, performing, and participating in competitions.
Larissa Secco
Graduated in Physical Education from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, she dedicated 16 years to technical training in Classical Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary Dance. She began her studies in Ballroom Dance in 2014 and since then has focused on Brazilian Zouk as a teacher and dancer. In Florianópolis/SC, she taught Brazilian ballroom dances as an extension project at UFSC for university students. She developed and coordinated research in dance pedagogy, linking psychological factors to the learning process of Brazilian Zouk students.
She currently travels nationally and internationally to teach workshops and perform shows in partnership with Walter Fernandes.
Walter + Larissa
Our partnership began in January 2021 when we discovered a shared purpose in our dance. We believe that dance is a tool for transformation in the lives of many people. Beyond techniques, movements, leads, and embellishments, this art form connects intelligence and bodily expression in the non-verbal communication between two people. Only in this way do we go from being mere executors of movements to dancers who not only feel for themselves but also create empathy with one another.