Joao Rocha & Giedre

Joao Rocha

I was born in Lisbon, Portugal, where I had my education studying Business administration.

Salsa was my 1st love, around 11 years ago, Kizomba came into my life 5 years ago, taking the line from my master and friend Kwenda Lima, who told me “Kizomba it’s danced by two people in just one body” this comment changed my view that these days I say “I love this culture more than my own”. Having inspiration’s such as Master Petchu, Kwenda Lima and Afrolatin Connection I have developed my own style!

In May 2010 I was invited to perform Semba at the prestigious Africadançar. I’ve been teaching and performing at several events around the world in more than 25 countries including Major Countries in Europe, USA and Russia to name a few and most recently organising the 5th edition of my own Festival in Lisbon “The LIKE Festival” among organising other Festivals as LIKE London and Toma-Toma in Bratislava.

In October 2010 I moved to London to teach and contribute to the growing kizomba scene in the UK and moved to Stockholm in February 2012 where I’m Living in Sweden creating the 1st Kizomba Scene in Stockholm under the name of “Kizombafeber.”

GIEDRE LAPAITE

Lithuanian girl with Ballroom, LA and Cuban Salsa background. She tried first steps of Kizomba in Vilnius, Lithuania, got very interested in dance and culture and started to travel to Portugal in order become a good Kizomba dancer.

In 2011 she met Joao Rocha, who has given her love to Semba and invited her to teach together. Constant teaching with Joao and having a chance to assist Masters like Kwenda, Petchu, Mandela and Jamba improved her following techniques. In 2012 Giedre deepened her knowledge of Angola’s history and culture with Master Petchu and Vanessa. In the same year she moved to Stockholm, Sweden, started to give regular kizomba, semba classes and organize kizomba events with Joao Rocha.

Her main interest is to teach very well structured classes, to give as much information for ladies as possible to be good followers and to teach right technique, not only to assist. She has already taught in numerous kizomba festivals in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Portugal. In 2013 she helped in organizing prestigious kizomba festival in Lisbon – “LIKE”. In 2014 her biggest projects are “LOVE LIKE LONDON” kizomba festival in London together with Joao Rocha and “Mambo City” and “LIKE” festival in Lisbon.