About Us
Co-Founder & Instructor
Bari
Bari has been dancing since 2000 with experience in ballroom styles, capoeira, breakdancing, gymnastics and latin styles such as Cuban Salsa and Bachata. Bari has taken a focus on Kizomba.
After many years teaching some complex movements in break dancing, capoeira and gymnastic, Bari has a real talent in explaining the body movements in a variety or ways.
Even if you think you have two left feet you'll come out loving Kizomba.
Bari has done multiple trips to Portugal under going full time training with many of the pioneers of kizomba and has also competed Afro Latin Connection Kizomba Teachers Training and Mestre Petchu’s Semba/Kizomba training.
Learned from some of the best teachers
Kizomba Backgrounds
In Kizomba, Bari is devoted to an unwavering commitment to continuous learning and acquiring knowledge to contribute back to the community. Bari dedicated valuable time in Portugal, where the focus was on learning from some of the most esteemed Kizomba experts.
Bari completed Kizomba Teachers Training in both Porto and Lisbon, Portugal, refining teaching techniques, mastering Kizomba methodology, and strengthening foundational skills. Notable instructors who played a crucial role in Bari's learning journey include:
Mestre Petchu & Vanessa in Lisbon, Portugal
Paula & Ricardo of Afro Latin Connection in Porto, Portugal
Bruno & Catalina of Afro Latin Connection in Porto, Portugal
Miguel & Susana in Lisbon, Portugal
Eddy Vents, hailing from Guinea-Bissau and based in Oregon, USA
Isabelle & Felicien from France
Paulo and Lana from Angola
Fabricio & Josy from Angola, currently residing in France
Lucia Nogueira, with roots in Portugal and the USA
Bonifacio Portugal
Additional influences encompass Albir Rojas, Kristofer Mencak, Anais Millon, Enah & Carolina, Curtis & Carola, and Nelson Campos, among others. Bari's commitment to learning from such diverse and accomplished instructors showcases a dedication to mastery and a passion for contributing to the Kizomba community.
Kizomba partnership and connection
Teaching Methodology
As the founder of Dança in Wellington, Bari has been instrumental in transforming numerous individuals who were new to Kizomba into recognized dancers.
Since 2013, Bari has been dedicated to dancing and collaborating with others, providing classes that impart a deep understanding of genuine partnership in Kizomba.
Attendees can expect to leave Bari's class with a comprehensive grasp of the intricacies of true partnership within the realm of Kizomba.
Kizomba Instructor, Wellington
Sabrina
Sabrina has been dancing, singing and playing music for as long as she can remember with a dance background spanning ballet, jazz, hip hop, reggaeton, african drum and dance, salsa and musical theatre performance.
Raised in a multicultural family amidst rich migrant stories that weave back through England, Trinidad and Tobago, India, the Netherlands, Italy, North America and beyond, Sabrina has a deep respect and appreciation for the evolution of dance and music across cultures. She was introduced to Kizomba at a salsa party in Christchurch back in 2016 – the music, the movement and the connection felt like chicken soup for her soul and it quickly captivated her heart.
Since moving to Wellington in 2017, Sabrina has been learning from and sharing her love of Kizomba with her Danca family. Sabrina is a passionate teacher with an approachable, silly style that will get you laughing and bring even the shyest person in the room out of their shell!
Complementing her role as a Kizomba instructor, Sabrina also wears the hat of a fitness coach, nearing the completion of her personal training qualification. Her mission is to re-acquaint people with what it means to be plugged into the world around us – be it through dance, music, nature, community, service, storytelling, or the simple act of moving one's body.
Kizomba Instructor, Auckland
Daisy
Daisy started her music journey at 3 ½ years old learning piano from Dr Zheng, a famous piano soloist at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Throughout her school years, Daisy developed a passion for dancing and she learned ballet and several styles of Chinese folk dance.
In 2010 a friend of Daisy’s brought her to Latin dancing scene, and she never looked back since. Daisy dedicated herself to learn Salsa, Bachata and Brazillian Zouk, and she is a resident Latin DJ at Viva Sunday Social in Auckland, as well as several other national and local Latin events, such as New Zealand Salsa Congress, Auckland Salsa Ball and New Zealand Latin Fiesta.
Daisy’s journey with Kizomba started in 2013. The music drew her in, she felt a connection to the music she couldn’t explain, and found it dissatisfying when the music stopped. This, without doubt, led her to explore this wonderful dance style. Daisy was the first local instructor to assist international Kizomba instructors at New Zealand Salsa Congress in 2016 and 2017, and to date, she continues to share her love for Kizomba with the dance community.
Kizomba Instructor, DJ
Alex
Alex is a passionate dance instructor for Danca Wellington in New Zealand. They are the winners of the South Island Latin Dance Championships 2020 Kizomba division.
Together, their enthusiasm and energy for everything Kizomba is contagious! They have a knack for making concepts easy and clear to understand and infusing this with interesting knowledge of the culture and music.
Beverly and Alex will be teaching fundamental techniques of Kizomba. The class will be open-level and is suitable to those just starting Kizomba. More advanced dancers will find this class useful for performing advanced movements with better technicality.
PARTICIPATION
Where we've been
Sydney International Afro Kizomba Festival
Bari & Wimmy
Summer Series Kizomba & Bachata 2023
Alex & Bev | Instructor
Spring Weekend 2022 - Kizomba Festival
Full Team
Christchurch Kizomba Workshop 2021 #2
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
NZ Salsa Congress 2021
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Latin Soul Festival Queenstown 2021
Bari & Beverly | Instructor
Christchurch Kizomba Workshop 2020
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Top of South Kizomba & Bachata Festival 2019
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Christchurch Kizomba Workshop 2019
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Australian Kizomba Festival 2018
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Blenheim Kizomba Bootcamp #2 2018
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
New Zealand Salsa Congress 2017
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Nelson Kizomba Workshops 2016
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
NZ Salsa Congress
Bari & Beverly
Queenstown Latin Soul Festival 2022
Alex & Bev | Instructor
Kizomba Weekend in Tauranga 2021
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Hanmer Salsa Winter Festival 2021
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Top of The South
Bachata & Kizomba '21
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
SBK Back to The Roots Festival 2020
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Christchurch Kizomba Workshop #2 2020
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
New Zealand Salsa Congress 2019
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Bay Salsa Festival 2018
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Blenheim Kizomba Bootcamp #3 2018
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Blenheim Kizomba Bootcamp #1 2018
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Nelson's Top of South Latin Festival 2017
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Kizz It Out 2016 - Sydney Kizomba Festival
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Christchurch Kizomba Workshop 2023
Bari & Beverly | Instructors
Sydney Afro Kizomba Weekender 2022
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Latin Soul Festival Queenstown 2021
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Kizomba Special Treat! Christchurch Part 1
Alex & Beverly | Instructor
Christchurch Kizomba Workshop 2021
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Christchurch Kizomba Workshop 2020
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Bay Salsa Festival 2019
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Awake Festival 2019 - Perth, Australia
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Auckland Kizomba Master Class 2018
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Hanmer Salsa Winter Festival 2018
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Bay Salsa Festival 2017 - Mt Maunganui
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Christchurch Kizomba Retreat 2017
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor
Nelson Kizomba Immersion Course 2016
Bari & Wimmy | Instructor