Be unique! Be creative! Be yourself!
In cooperation with Anna Russa, we have the honor of bringing a group of amazing artists to the Rhein-Main-Neckar area for a very special event: the Followers’ Expression Retreat!
These artists, each with their special dance focus (along with some others) will offer more than 15 hours of classes. We are incredibly excited to have you with us and create an unforgettable experience – independently of your gender.
What to expect
Dance, eat and sleep under one roof! Allow yourself to step away from your daily routine and experience a shared time of inspiration and growth in a relaxed location. Your well-being will be taken care of with food (including vegan options), already included in the price. A sleeping place on site will also be made available to you. You don’t need to worry about anything – you can simply be.
The overall intention is to work on body awareness and self expression while providing you the space to center yourself – to move, connect and let go. In addition to zouk classes, you will also enjoy other dance classes, work on your mobility and train all kinds of skills. Our goal is a holistic approach to self-expression and authenticity!
Curious about the program? Here’s a sneak peek at what we have planned for you:
…and more!
Location
DJH Jugendherberge Frankfurt am Main
Deutschherrnufer 12, 60594 Frankfurt am Main
https://www.jugendherberge-frankfurt.de (external Link)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hrrwMoeBVTBEy3Xz9 (external Link to Google Maps)
As this is a retreat, we invite you to spend some time together in this venue: during the daytime, while enjoying food together and sleeping in rooms for 3-6 people.
Schedule
The retreat starts on October 3rd and will last until October 6th. Here is an overview:
| Oct 3rd | 1 p.m.: check in 4 p.m.: start programm 6 p.m.: welcome dinner + evening programm |
| Oct 4th | 1 p.m.: check in 4 p.m.: start programm 6 p.m.: welcome dinner + evening programm |
| Oct 5th | 1 p.m.: check in 4 p.m.: start programm 6 p.m.: welcome dinner + evening programm |
| Oct 6th | 7-9 a.m.: breakfast until 9:30: check out 10-12 a.m.: programm 12-1 p.m.: lunch 1-2:30 p.m.: closing circle |
A more detailed schedule will follow soon!
Our amazing artists
Pricing
- Members of the club Zouk Rhein-Main-Neckar e.V. get a small discount (5%) for the event.
- There is only a limited amount of tickets per slot available.
- The price includes the day classes and night activities, food and accommodation.
- Early bird: 1st 10 tickets: 295 €
- Pricing until September 1st: 315 €
- Pricing after September 1st: 335 €
Please read the FAQ for ticket sales!
In order to purchase tickets switch the website language to German!
Introduction of our Artists
Ilse Boerboom
Ilse is an enthusiastic Brazilian zouk instructor from the land of the stroopwaffles.
Over the years Ilse has trained in various dance styles, starting with musical classes at 12 years old, and hiphop throughout her youth, hence her love for drama and groove. She has been dancing for 13 years and teaching for 7.
Ilse credits the growth she’s been able to see in her dance to her home school of TotallyZouk and teachers the likes of Ruanita Santos, Felipe Nascimento, Thayna trovick, Val & Vanessa, Freddy & Andressa, Leo Chaffe, Julinha, Lisa d.v.d. Plaats, and Alex de Carvalho (MAC certified).
Ilse is known for her creativity, connection, and playfulness in her dance. As a teacher today, she brings these same qualities. Years of hospitality work has taught her the empathy and knowledge of the human nature she uses to connect with and guide students. Her goals in class are to leave people with more body-awareness, self-confidence and a smile on their face.
See the playfulness in Ilses’ dance: https://youtu.be/s9Rjiq40Bqs?feature=shared (external link to youtube)
Vitoria Lima
Vick began her studies in 2004 with classical ballet. She graduated in contemporary, jazz and classical ballet, taught classes and participated in companies and festivals.
From 2016 onwards, she began working with ballroom dancing, becoming one of the biggest references in university country music and venerated in São Paulo. In 2022 she began working with Brazilian Zouk/Lambada alongside her partner Allan Maia. Together they won some of the biggest competitions today.
They currently teach and perform in several countries.
COMPETITIONS
- Brazilian Zouk Champion 2023 – Dance Open Brasil
- Runner-up Zouk Open Brasil 2023
- Brazilian Champions 2023 – 3D Generation
- Third place World Zouk IZC 2024
Watch her great impro in a jack and jill competition: https://youtu.be/f6XfYavuHio?feature=shared (external link to youtube)
Romane Leterme
Romane started her dance journey with four years of ballet (ok, she was only four years old, but it counts), and her most formative movement modality was 14 years of gymnastics. She later discovered herself as a multidisciplinary dancer at the age of 19, exploring various dance forms such as kizomba, salsa, contemporary, afro, floorwork, twerk, circus acrobatics and pole dance.
However, where she truly expresses herself is within the world of Brazilian partner dance, zouk. Her unique approach to this dance style is influenced, surprisingly yet truthfully, by thousands of videos on social media, and this remains her primary source of inspiration.
Zouk has taught her, and continues to teach her, valuable life lessons in presence, connection, self-confidence, communication, and it deeply informs her love in many ways. See Romane dancing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu4llEGuDi4 (external link to youtube)
Joanna Zwierzyńska
Joanna is a professional dancer, internationally qualified dance coach, dance judge, choreographer, and actress. She has a very clear understanding of human motor skills and constantly educates herself in new techniques. She has taught dance in over 30 countries, and has been teaching, performing, and dancing her heart out at international zouk festivals for over 12 years. She pioneered zouk in Poland in 2011 in Warsaw, and she is a qualified judge of the Brazilian Zouk Dance Council.
She has taught zouk together with Pasty, Kamacho, and William dos Santos, and in recent years found success and immense pride in teaching popular solo follower classes at international festivals, attracting zoukers wanting to learn her unique and expressive style of dancing in order to enhance their partner dancing.
Her methodology combines a high level of technique with expression and playfulness.Watch her dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCfxdshqEDI (external link to youtube)