Love all these interviews Anthony, I've been watching basically all of them and learning a lot from your journey. It's cool to get perspectives closer to the source. Curious what you mean when you say that Austin isn't teaching "real Zouk". How would you characterize the differences between the Zouk that is taught in the group classes in Austin/the US and "real Zouk"? Is it a technique thing? mindset? feel? I would love to see you guys go more deeply into that topic
Hey man! Thanks for your support! We can definitely address this topic in a future episode, good question. I don't remember saying that Austin isn't teaching "real Zouk" as I think Nhat and Gigi are doing a great job. They are very thoughtful and teach in a very comprehensive way. If I did say that, I perhaps was expressing my frustration with some of the teachers I did start with (which were not Nhat and Gigi). I came from a studio that taught the basic step as marching to boom chik chik and taught only sequences. The name of the game was to memorize a bunch of sequences that the instructors taught us. In my opinion, this way of teaching set us up to get to know the dance in a very superficial way. In coming to Brazil, I learned that there is so much more to Zouk. There is the "metaphysical" aspect as Gui Prada calls it, and the technical aspect. For the technical aspect, I was not taught sequences but foundational concepts such as elactiscity, grounding, control, timing, musicality, etc. (I know this is very vague as different teachers have different perspectives on this). For me, the richness of Zouk comes from these concepts, building blocks that once worked on not only improves your dance, but helps find your own expression. There are so many ways to dance Zouk, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to dance it. However, there are efficient and inefficient paths to learning; and I would consider that studio I originally learned from as inefficient. But, I still would support them because they are helping grow Zouk and bringing people together to bond over it. I remember one time, Abe and I went to a dance studio in São Paulo as we were filming a project. As we were waiting, there was a group class going on and I was shocked!! What was being taught in the class was very rough and forceful hair whipping head movement. Abe was telling me that this is how Brazilian Zouk looked like 15-20 years ago, and that for some reason, this teacher never evolved with the times. My point is, even in Brazil, some instruction is just as inefficient, or worse in some cases such as rough forceful head movement. However, there are more opportunities for great instruction and to meet higher level dancers. The last thing I will say is that if you do get a chance to travel to Brazil, I highly recommend. I do feel that my perspective expanded on what Zouk looked like; dancers are constantly innovating and creating new things. It's amazing. I hope this helps! :)
The festival we went to, Zouk Unity, had challenges throughout the weekend where if you completed all of them, you could win a free pass to next year's event. Appreciate your support! :)
Love all these interviews Anthony, I've been watching basically all of them and learning a lot from your journey. It's cool to get perspectives closer to the source. Curious what you mean when you say that Austin isn't teaching "real Zouk". How would you characterize the differences between the Zouk that is taught in the group classes in Austin/the US and "real Zouk"? Is it a technique thing? mindset? feel? I would love to see you guys go more deeply into that topic
Hey man! Thanks for your support!
We can definitely address this topic in a future episode, good question.
I don't remember saying that Austin isn't teaching "real Zouk" as I think Nhat and Gigi are doing a great job. They are very thoughtful and teach in a very comprehensive way.
If I did say that, I perhaps was expressing my frustration with some of the teachers I did start with (which were not Nhat and Gigi). I came from a studio that taught the basic step as marching to boom chik chik and taught only sequences. The name of the game was to memorize a bunch of sequences that the instructors taught us. In my opinion, this way of teaching set us up to get to know the dance in a very superficial way.
In coming to Brazil, I learned that there is so much more to Zouk. There is the "metaphysical" aspect as Gui Prada calls it, and the technical aspect. For the technical aspect, I was not taught sequences but foundational concepts such as elactiscity, grounding, control, timing, musicality, etc. (I know this is very vague as different teachers have different perspectives on this). For me, the richness of Zouk comes from these concepts, building blocks that once worked on not only improves your dance, but helps find your own expression.
There are so many ways to dance Zouk, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to dance it. However, there are efficient and inefficient paths to learning; and I would consider that studio I originally learned from as inefficient. But, I still would support them because they are helping grow Zouk and bringing people together to bond over it.
I remember one time, Abe and I went to a dance studio in São Paulo as we were filming a project. As we were waiting, there was a group class going on and I was shocked!! What was being taught in the class was very rough and forceful hair whipping head movement. Abe was telling me that this is how Brazilian Zouk looked like 15-20 years ago, and that for some reason, this teacher never evolved with the times.
My point is, even in Brazil, some instruction is just as inefficient, or worse in some cases such as rough forceful head movement. However, there are more opportunities for great instruction and to meet higher level dancers.
The last thing I will say is that if you do get a chance to travel to Brazil, I highly recommend. I do feel that my perspective expanded on what Zouk looked like; dancers are constantly innovating and creating new things. It's amazing.
I hope this helps! :)
Now I'm curious about these games you were talking about around minute 46?;)
And thank you soo much, I love your podcasts so much
The festival we went to, Zouk Unity, had challenges throughout the weekend where if you completed all of them, you could win a free pass to next year's event.
Appreciate your support! :)
Her face when Ant says 100k🤣
I'm a very expressive person lol