Kellen originates from Brazil and has been dancing for ‘as long as she can remember’. From beginnings in Classical, Modern Ballet and Jazz, Kellen hot-footed it into Latino and Brazilian dancing as a young adult. She now specialises in dances: Lambada, Forro, Samba, Axe, Salsa and Merengue. A teacher and performer for over 13 years, Kellen has graced the stages of Australia, dancing with the ‘Axe Capoeira’ group and spent three years dancing with the New Zealand’s own ‘Sabor Latino’ group.

Passion, vibrancy, enthusiasm and love for her nation and culture is what drives Luciana. She has immersed herself in dance, theatre, gymnastics and capoeira (Brazilian Martial Art) since the age of four. Her talents have been globally crafted through various workshops and dance establishments around the world including Sao Paulo, New York, Australia and even Fiji! Since 2004, Luciana has continued her dance career through teaching and performing Samba in various cities throughout New Zealand.

Julia Garcia is Chilean and has an addiction to Latin rhythms: Salsa, Mambo, Rumba, Samba, Lambada – because she has been around them her whole life. In her home country of Chile, she spent 5 years in the Folclor Ballet (BAFOCHI) Company, specialising in latin dance. After leaving she became a teacher to adults and opened a small ballet school for children. Having moved to New Zealand Julia began work with Afro-American rhythms and also took up belly dancing. She now relishes all areas of Brazilian dance and enjoys sharing with kiwis the flavours of her culture.

Louise Simpson, born and raised in Auckland NZ, began dancing Ballet at age 3 and went on to study Modern Jazz and Contemporary Dance throughout her childhood and teenage years. At age 18 she began performing with a corporate events company before setting off overseas. From dancing Tango in Norway to Rumba and Salsa in Cuba, she exposed herself to different rhythms and cultures, igniting her love for Afro Latin beats and different body expressions. In 2005 she was introduced to the rhythms and dance of Brazil and instantly fell for the Samba.

Everyone can see in Graziela a fiery passion for dance that seems almost inbuilt. She has proved to have a special sparkle while on the stage that she says comes from many years of practice, dedication and love. Graziela started dancing Ballet at the age of 3 and never stopped. Ballet both classical and contemporary were her passion until a trip to Australia to learn English in 2001 and an invitation from Latin Dance Australia to teach salsa and samba. She has performed for various Australian TV shows and events around the world and has joined Brazilian Divas in 2009.