Our classes are divided into 4 progressive levels. Each level builds on top of the movements and technique from the prior, so that you are always challenged the right amount and your classmates are able to learn the moves in your level.
Each level consists of a series of 4-week modules, which typically start on the first week of the month. For the smoothest experience, we recommend taking all the classes in a month, but we also understand that life is busy and our teachers support students dropping in to any week within their Level.
Level 1 focuses on going from zero to dancing. We teach the basic moves and timing that you need to dance Zouk. Don't mistake fundamentals for boring, though - there are world-class dancers who craft exquisite dances just from these elements.
Viradinha, Lunge, Simple Turn, and lateral
Ioiô, Abertura, Traveling Simple Turn
Soltinho, Elástico, and Lateral
Level 2 expands your footwork and introduces body and head movement. These are the skills that make Zouk look like Zouk and the skills that get combined in upper levels.
Bônus
Gostosinho & Balanço
Undulations & Isolations - linear snakes and waves
Three Distances - changing the number of travel steps in your Fundamentals
Chicote, Cambrê & Raú - whips and dips
Balão - Introduction to circular head movement
Level 3 dives into head movement and body movement in depth. You'll be putting Balão on top of all manner of footwork from Level 2.
Tilted Turns & Illusions
Side Whips & Illusions
Bate Cabelo & Undulations
Pião & Traveling with Viradinha
Traveling Isolations & Sarrada (Musicality)
Frango Assado & Mergulho
Lateral & Soltinho Expanded
Boneca, WiFi & Chicote from Simple Turn
Level 4 doesn't have a fixed curriculum - teachers pick topics based on what they see students need, or what the teachers are themselves working on. Example topics include:
Travelling head movement
Toahlia
Reverse Lateral
To get into levels above Level 1 requires an assessment with one of our instructors. These can take as little as 3 minutes and can be offered during the first hour of Socials or before class.
Each level builds on the movements of the prior, so you need to demonstrate proficiency with most of the movements in the prior level. Additionally, there are dance fundamentals at each level you should be picking up along with the movements.
Entering Level 2
All of the movements taught in Level 1, plus:
Basic proficiency in Brazillian Zouk timing (stepping on the beat)
Entering Level 3
All of the movements taught in Levels 1 + 2, plus:
Frame and comfort proficiency
Entering Level 4
All of the movements taught in Levels 1, 2, and 3, plus:
Excellence in Brazillian Zouk timing
Solo movement - ability to execute most movements in level 3 without a partner/support
Proficiency in using torsion to lead/follow
Basic proficiency in musicality
The easiest answer is to just ask an instructor for feedback during Social! Or just assess. Our instructors are happy to give actionable feedback to help you focus your practice. You can also ask students in higher levels for feedback, or book private classes with any of our instructors for deeper dives.
Assessments are not graded pass/fail - if you have all the proficiencies needed for the upcoming month of the next level, we give a "provisional pass", which means you can start taking the next Level while working on the skills you need to fully enter the next level.