CLASS descriptions

Kizomba 1A, 1B, 1C (Beginner) ~ 3-4 months

​

Kizomba is a popular walking dance that originated from Angola in the 1980s. The word "kizomba" means "party". It has a zouk rhythm and the dance has been influenced by semba, zouk, konpa & coladeira. Although it has some similarities to urban kiz, the body position, way of walking, manner of leading & music are all different. Our kizomba classes incorporate the José N'dongala methodology from Kizombalove Academy as well as other Kizomba training we have received (see Instructors). Students must take all 3 blocks of kizomba before progressing to kizomba 2 or urban kiz 2.

​

KIZOMBA 2 (int/Adv) ~ 1.5-2 YEARs

​

Taken after completing kizomba 1A, 1B & 1C. Each of the modules can be completed in any order. Students will build upon the foundation they acquired by learning various concepts including:

​​​​

• Kizomba 2 - Ida Volta & Bunda Styling

• Kizomba 2 - Romantic Saidas & Dips

• Kizomba 2 - Seated Dips & Leg Connections

• Kizomba 2 - Walking Turns & Dips

• Kizomba 2 - Cha Cha Your Walk

• Kizomba 2/3 - Leg Lift Combos

• Kizomba 2/3 - Blocks & Turn Combos

• Kizomba 2/3 - Style & Footwork I

• Kizomba 2/3 - Dips & Footwork Combos

• Semba 1 - Intro to Semba

​

Urban kiz 2 (int/Adv) ~ 1.5-2 YEARs

​

Taken after completing Intro to Urban Kiz. (Kizomba 1A, 1B & 1C are also strongly recommended). Each of the modules can be completed in any order. Students will build upon the foundation they acquired by learning various concepts including:

​​​​

• Urban Kiz 2 - Funky Pivots & Walk Arounds

• Urban Kiz 2 - Intricate Syncopations & Pace Changes

• Tarraxo/Tarraxa (see description below)

• Urban Kiz 2 - Intro to Musicality

• Urban Kiz 2 - Playful Leg Sweeps & Lifts

• Urban Kiz 2 - Cool Dips & Blocks

• Urban Kiz 2 - Douceur

• Urban Kiz 3 - Crazy Syncopations 

• Urban Kiz 3 - Slow Motion & Timing

• Urban Kiz 3 - Tarraxa your Urban Kiz!

• Urban Kiz 3 - Groovy Dips & Blocks

• Urban Kiz 3 - Advanced Leg Touches & Lifts

• Urban Kiz 3 - Advanced Pivots & Turns

• Urban Kiz 3 - Musicality & Playfulness

• Urban Kiz 3 - The Shadow Position

​

Tarraxhina

Tarraxhina is a partner dance in body movement. It can be danced to tarraxhina music or to parts of a kizomba song that have tarraxhina. Students will work in partners and learn how to lead & follow various body waves, circles, figure 8s, bumps, pops & more. 

​

tarraxa & tarraxo

​

Tarraxo and tarraxa have developed from urban kiz. They incorporate body movement from tarraxhina as well as other body isolations from hip-hop & brazilian zouk. Often people incorporate tarraxo & tarraxa when dancing urban kiz.

​

MAN/LADY Urban STYLING ~ ONGOING

Intended for students interested in mastering urban body movement. The first hour of the class will focus on upper / lower body styling, including bumps, pops, waves, circles, figure eights, arm isolations, balance & other urban kiz & tarraxa body movements. The last 30 minutes of class will focus on strengthening and toning the abs, bum & thighs, critical elements to improve body movement when dancing urban kiz & tarraxa. Drop-ins are welcome.

​

MAN/LADY kizomba STYLING - ONGOING

For those who want to learn body movement particular to kizomba. Men will work on loosening the hips, maintaining balance when walking, proper shoulder disassociation during saidas, fluidity in transitions, body speed intention, and more. Ladies will work on ginga (bum & hip) styling as well as waves, circles, figure 8s, bumps, weight transition, shoulder disassociation & transitions.

​

SEMBA 

Offered as part of our Kizomba 2 series. Semba is a traditional Angolan dance that comes from Masemba meaning the "touch of the bellies". It is a festive and joyful partner dance that laid the foundation for kizomba to be born. Students will begin with developing a foundation in semba. More advanced style and footwork will then be incorporated. Our semba classes incorporate the José N'dongala methodology from Kizombalove Academy as well as other Semba training we have received (see Instructors page). 

​

choreography

Join our choreography team and perform at various events in Ottawa and the surrounding areas! It is known that performing makes you a better dancer, allowing you to master your technique while having fun. It takes a minimum of 2-3 months to learn and perfect the choreography and may include a combination of kizomba, semba, styling, tricks & afrohouse. Students are expected to purchase their own costumes (under $100).

​

our POLICIES

​

• Students are required to complete the foundational Kizomba 1A, 1B, 1C before Kizomba 2.

• Students are required to complete Intro to Urban Kiz before Urban Kiz 2. (Kizomba 1A, 1B, 1C are also strongly recommended.)

• Sorry, no refunds or carryovers for missed classes.

​