Kadu and Larissa

World renowned Latin dance professionals Kadu Pires and Larissa Thayane are originally from Brazil, they moved to Australia in 2007. They spend up to half of each year travelling – teaching, performing, choreographing and judging at the world’s most important Latin dance events and competitions.

Since 2007, they have toured extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Europe, North and South America. They have been instrumental in boosting the popularity of Brazilian zouk and samba de gafieira internationally. Their credits include competition wins and television appearances in Brazil and in Australia, including choreography for So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

During his 20-year dance career, Kadu built a reputation as one of the best young dancers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, before being recognised as a samba de gafieira and samba no pe dancer and instructor of reference for Brazil’s new dance generation. He has worked as a dancer, instructor and choreographer for high profile dance companies in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, including the Jimmy de Oliveira Dance Academy and Company and the Alex de Carvalho Dance Academy and Company.

Larissa is trained in all styles of dance. She has worked as a professional ballet and contemporary dancer for the Youth Theatre Company of Rio de Janeiro, travelling and performing throughout Brazil and the United States before studying Latin dance. Her career highlights include performing at The Kennedy Centre in Washington with the American Symphony Orchestra. In 2005, she started her studies in Latin dance and joined Jimmy de Oliveira’s samba de gafieira company and Alex de Carvalho’s Latin dance company specialising in Brazilian zouk.

In 2013 they founded the K&L Dance school in Brisbane - Australia, where over 120 students learn LATIN Dance weekly. On this same year they also founded the Casa do Zouk congress in the Gold Coast which attracts over 500 participants every year! 

In 2014 Larissa founded the Brazilian Zouk Dance Council (BZDC). The Brazilian Zouk Dance Council serves, supports, and promotes all aspects of Brazilian Zouk. BZDC encourages the growth of Zouk throughout the world. The Council is supported by its board of directors - Gilson Damasco, Renata Peçanha, Alex de Carvalho, Rodrigo Delano, Kadu Pires, Larissa Thayane and Freddy Marinho. In 2014 the first BZDC oficial Brazilian Zouk Jack and Jill took place at Casa do Zouk in Australia, since then registered competitions are gaining popularity all over the world. 

Today they are based in Los Angeles - USA, where they began the K&L Teachers Training Certificate (K<T)  and are working to improve the growth of Zouk in North America. They have also been dedicating time studying and competing West Coast Swing, their new passion. Kadu and Larissa placed on Showcase division at the US Open Swing in the last 3 years. 

Click here for more information about Casa do Zouk event in Australia.