layssa valentina

Layssa

Layssa Valentina, known for her bubbly personality since childhood, earned the nickname “risadinha” which translates to “little laugh” in Portuguese. Her passion for movement was ignited when she watched her first ballet performance, inspiring her to start her dance journey at the age of 13 at Ballet Sandra Castro. Since then, she has never stopped dancing.

She honed her skills at renowned schools such as Petite Danse, Centro de Danca Rio, and Conservatorio Brasileiro de Danca in Rio de Janeiro. She was also a part of the Marcia Pinheiro Dance Company from 2007 to 2010, until she discovered her love for Brazilian Zouk.

In 2007, Layssa joined Renata Pecanha’s dance company where she learned all Brazilian partner dance styles including Samba de Gafieira, Bolero, Forro, Soltinho, and of course, Brazilian Zouk. It was love at first sight.

For two years, she performed, won competitions, and taught, representing Renata’s company alongside Leonardo Neves. They decided to venture out on their own after building an impressive career together for six years. They were the youngest dance couple in the scene to travel all over Europe, Russia, Australia, and Brazil.

Their partnership ended in 2012 when Layssa decided to move to Adelaide and open her own dance school with Arthur Santos. For seven years, they traveled the world, gaining recognition for their precise understanding of technique and mentoring a large number of dancers.

Currently, Layssa is embarking on a new journey, combining Brazilian Zouk with mindfulness techniques in her unique dance method, 'Zouk Soul Flow'. This method, with its universal language, speaks to the soul and resonates with the physical body.

Interested? Get in touch with us via Facebook, Instagram, or reservations@bbalizoukretreat.co.