Favian Bustos

Founder & Artistic Director, Austin, TX

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Favian Bustos is the Founder & Artistic Director of Inspired Movement, a Latin dance school & cultural hub that has operated in Austin since 2006. He founded Texas Latin Dance at The University of Texas at Austin in 2006, building a long-running entry point for Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, & Cha Cha Cha that treated partner dance as public culture, not nightlife. His teaching approach centers on connection, consent, & cultural literacy, linking technique to the music, regional histories, & Afro Latin lineage that shaped these forms.

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In 2014, Favian Bustos introduced Kizomba instruction in Mumbai & New Delhi through Salsa India, documented by Mid-Day News as “Move to the Kizomba.” He co-founded Neo Kiz Festival Austin in 2015, positioning Austin as a learning destination within Afro-Latin partner dance networks. Across the last decade, he has taught at major events including Mexico City Kizomba Festival, Kizomba MX, & Dallas Bachata Festival through 2025, creating a pipeline that connects Austin students to global lineage holders while keeping the work grounded in local community care.

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Favian Bustos’ leadership is civic by design. Inspired Movement has served 10,711 participants since 2006, with 1,493 active students in current programming cycles. The studio’s participant age range spans 18 to 93, confirming that the work functions as intergenerational cultural infrastructure. His artistic values prioritize equity in pay, clear consent practices, multilingual access, & accessibility as a core teaching methodology rather than a separate program. Under his leadership, Inspired Movement has remained operational through repeated relocations, sustaining a stable community floor even as Austin’s real estate pressures erase affordable creative space.

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Marcus Davis
Master Instructor & Faculty Lead
Austin, TX

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Marcus Davis serves as Master Instructor & faculty lead at Inspired Movement. He co-develops curriculum across Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, & Kizomba programs, mentors instructors, maintains pedagogical consistency across levels, & ensures that technique, cultural context, consent practices, & accessible teaching strategies remain integrated into weekly instruction. His role anchors continuity in a space where community trust depends on reliable standards.

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Alyshia Ledlie
Marketing Director, Accessibility & Technology Lead
Austin, TX

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Alyshia Ledlie leads Inspired Movement’s digital infrastructure, accessibility systems, analytics, & public communications. Her work supports multilingual engagement, captioned media, & accessible web architecture that allow audiences to enter programs with clarity. Her systems connect participation data to outreach, making marketing accountable to equity outcomes rather than vanity metrics.

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Accessibility & Inclusion Leadership

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Hannah Manzo
Instructor & Accessibility-Facing Faculty Leader
Austin, TX

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Hannah Manzo is an instructor & accessibility-facing faculty leader. As an audio-impaired educator, she co-teaches with visual cueing, structured rhythm frameworks, predictable class flow, & captioned materials that support Deaf & hard-of-hearing dancers alongside hearing dancers. Her leadership models who gets to be visible as a teacher in partner dance spaces, & her work strengthens the studio’s access practices across programs.

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Isidore Niyongabo
Deaf Educator & Pedagogical Collaborator
Austin, TX

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Isidore Niyongabo is a Deaf educator & collaborator who has helped shape Inspired Movement’s Deaf-inclusive pedagogy, including visual rhythm strategies, accessible partnering communication, & consent-forward instructional methods. His collaboration supports a model where accessibility is embedded into regular instruction rather than isolated into special events.

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International Guest Artists & Lineage Teachers

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Edgar Fernandes

Brazilian Zouk & Lambada Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, & Demonstrator
São Paulo, Brazil
Affiliation: Solum Escola de Dança

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Edgar Fernandes is a Brazilian Zouk and Lambada dancer, teacher, choreographer, and demonstrator based in São Paulo, Brazil. He is closely associated with Solum Escola de Dança, a long-established partner-dance school where he has served for more than a decade as a core Zouk and Lambada instructor. Within the Brazilian and international Zouk community, Edgar is widely recognized for a style repeatedly described as marked by creativity and lightness, balancing clean technique with playful musical exploration.

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As an instructor, Edgar regularly teaches classes with approximately 100 students at a time at Solum Escola de Dança, reflecting both the scale of the school and his role as a primary educator within São Paulo’s Zouk and Lambada community. Over the course of his teaching career, he has taught an estimated 11,000 dancers through weekly classes, workshops, intensives, and congress instruction in Brazil and internationally. This sustained reach underscores his influence not only as a performer and demonstrator but as a long-term educator shaping how Zouk and Lambada are learned, practiced, and transmitted.

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Edgar’s professional home base at Solum Escola de Dança situates him within a lineage that actively cultivates both Brazilian Zouk and Lambada. Solum’s video archives and event documentation consistently feature Edgar as a lead professor, regularly presenting improvised demonstrations at the conclusion of classes and during major events such as Zouk Day and Zouk Day Congress. Video records dating back to Zouk Day 2013 already document his teaching and performance work, indicating more than ten years of continuous engagement as both educator and performer.

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Stylistically, Edgar’s work sits at the intersection of Brazilian Zouk and Lambada. His dancing integrates Lambada’s speed, rhythmic accents, and directional changes with Zouk’s elastic body movement and continuous flow. Key characteristics of his style include creative yet logical combinations built from simple foundations, musical experimentation through pauses and syncopation, a relaxed frame supported by grounded footwork, and smooth transitions that prioritize partner comfort and safety.

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In teaching contexts, Edgar is known for deconstructing these qualities into progressive, accessible material. He begins with clear fundamentals and gradually introduces elasticity, rotation, and counter-movement, allowing students to develop creative improvisation without sacrificing control, clarity, or connection.

Internationally, Edgar Fernandes is a frequent demonstrator and invited artist at major Zouk and Lambada events, including Barcelona Zouk World, Sampa Zouk Congress, Zouk Day Congress, and ZoukMX in Mexico, with additional appearances across Europe and Latin America. Through this ongoing work, he has become a recognizable figure within the global Zouk community, particularly among dancers drawn to a practice that is technically solid, musical, playful, and deeply rooted in Brazilian social-dance culture.

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Nadyne Cruz

Brazilian Zouk & Lambada Dancer, Teacher, & Demonstrator
São Paulo, Brazil
Affiliation: Solum Escola de Dança

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Nadyne Cruz is a Brazilian Zouk and Lambada dancer and teacher based in São Paulo, Brazil. She is associated with Solum Escola de Dança, where she developed within a tradition that emphasizes technical clarity, musical sensitivity, and social-dance integrity. Within Brazilian and international Zouk communities, Nadyne is widely recognized for a style characterized by creativity and lightness, expressed through fluid movement, refined responsiveness, and an inviting stage presence.

At Solum Escola de Dança, Nadyne has worked as both a social and performance dancer and as a teacher and assistant instructor, supporting the transmission of Zouk and Lambada technique, musicality, and social-dance etiquette. Her work places her in continuous dialogue with dancers across experience levels, from beginners building foundational skills to advanced students refining nuance and control.

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Nadyne’s dancing is distinguished by strong following technique grounded in a clear understanding of frame, axis, and shared balance. She is known for responding precisely to intricate leads while maintaining softness, relaxation, and continuous flow. Her movement blends Zouk’s elasticity with Lambada’s rhythmic drive, resulting in smooth, wave-like body motion and seamless transitions even in fast or complex sequences.

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Creativity and playfulness are central to Nadyne’s style. Subtle timing variations, styling, and footwork add expression without disrupting connection, contributing to a quality of movement that feels joyful, musical, and accessible rather than forced or performative.

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In teaching contexts, Nadyne emphasizes comfort and safety, particularly in head movements, cambres, and off-axis transitions common to Zouk and Lambada. She prioritizes body awareness and sensitivity, encouraging followers to respond early and leaders to offer clear invitations rather than force. Technique is presented as a tool for freedom and expression, supporting dancers in developing confidence and personal style once fundamentals are secure.

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Nadyne’s name appears internationally as both Nadyne Cruz and Nadine, reflecting variations in festival listings and media captions. Both forms refer to the same artist and are consistently associated with her work within Brazilian and international Zouk and Lambada contexts.

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Edgar Fernandes & Nadyne Cruz

Brazilian Zouk & Lambada Partnership

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Edgar Fernandes and Nadyne Cruz maintain a long-standing professional partnership, performing and teaching internationally as Edgar & Nadine. Their work is frequently featured in festival demonstrations and media platforms, where their performances are noted for combining strong fundamentals with spontaneous, in-the-moment creativity.

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As a duo, they are known for improvised Zouk and Lambada demonstrations that invite audiences into the dance through playful communication and musical sensitivity. Their partnership balances Edgar’s clear, rhythmically grounded leading with Nadyne’s expressive, fluid following, resulting in a dynamic that feels both technically refined and socially accessible.

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They are regular demonstrators and invited artists at major events, including Barcelona Zouk World, Sampa Zouk Congress, Zouk Day Congress, and ZoukMX, with additional appearances across Europe and Latin America. Through repeated invitations and wide circulation of their work, Edgar & Nadine have become familiar representatives of contemporary Brazilian Zouk–Lambada fusion, celebrated for creativity, musicality, and lightness.

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Karina Batista

DJ, Music Curator, & Producer
São Paulo, Brazil
Professionally known as DJ Kakah

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Karina Batista, known internationally as DJ Kakah, is a Brazilian DJ, music curator, and producer whose work is deeply embedded in the global Brazilian Zouk and Lambada ecosystems. She is widely recognized for shaping dance-floor soundscapes that support musicality, connection, and improvisation, rather than spectacle alone.

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As a DJ, Karina is known for her precise musical curation, blending traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary Zouk, Lambada, and Afro-diasporic influences. Her sets are structured to support social dancers across experience levels, emphasizing clear phrasing, dynamic contrast, and musical storytelling that allows dancers to explore both technical clarity and expressive freedom.

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Karina has been invited to DJ at major Zouk and Lambada festivals and congresses in Brazil and internationally, where her work is frequently cited by organizers and dancers as central to the quality of the social dance environment. Her role extends beyond performance into pedagogy, as her music choices actively teach dancers how to listen, phrase movement, and respond musically within partner dance.

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In addition to live DJing, Karina contributes to the production and circulation of music used widely within Zouk communities, influencing how dancers worldwide experience rhythm, flow, and musical structure. Through her ongoing work, DJ Kakah plays a critical role in sustaining Brazilian Zouk and Lambada as living social dance forms, ensuring that musical integrity remains central to contemporary practice.

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Rachel Ramalho
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Rachel Ramalho is a Brazilian Zouk & Lambada instructor & international organizer. Public bios describe long-term professional training with the Jaime Arôxa Dance Company & leadership within the Ramalho academy ecosystem, with an emphasis on technique, connection, & musical interpretation taught through lineage-based pedagogy.

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Renato Ramalho
Brazil

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Renato Ramalho is a Brazilian Zouk instructor active within international festival circuits & frequently presented through dance-specific teaching platforms & event programming as a visiting instructor.

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Laura Dalava
São Paulo, Brazil

Laura Dalava is a Brazilian Zouk instructor based in Brazil with documented international teaching presence. Public bios describe her teaching career beginning in the 2010s, with strong foundations in body mechanics, musical phrasing, & sustainable technique.​

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Bruno Galhardo
São Paulo, Brazil

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Raiza Previato
São Paulo, Brazil

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Bruno Galhardo & Raiza Previato are Brazilian Zouk instructors with international teaching presence, commonly presented as a duo on congress lineups & workshops. Their public-facing work emphasizes technique, pedagogy, & performance-based clarity, with a strong reputation in Brazilian Zouk training contexts.

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Regional Guest Artists 

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Tamara Valle
Dallas, TX / France
France & Texas (per roster)

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Tamara Valle is a dancer, choreographer, & instructor publicly described as France-born with early training in classical ballet, later expanding into modern, jazz, & contemporary frameworks, with an active teaching profile that spans Latin dance & fusion contexts. She is publicly associated with choreography work & multi-style performance identity.

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Gustavo Martins
Brazil, / Nashville, TN

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Ayane Azevedo
Brazil / Miami, FL & Atlanta, GA

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Daniel Hernandez
Houston, TX

Daisy Aguilar
Houston, TX

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Listed in your roster as “DANIEL & DAISY,” this duo is publicly documented as Daniel Hernandez & Daisy Aguilar through Texas Salsa Congress instructor pages. Their bio describes a Houston-based partnership blending Bachata & contemporary dance, leadership of #TeamDoubleDs, performance & teaching across major Texas metro areas, & appearances at multiple congresses.​

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Kizomba Guest Artists Listed In Your Roster

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Kaem & Marine
France

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Listed as “Kaem & Marine Kizomba.” They are presented publicly as a Kizomba teaching duo within international circuits. I did not add claims beyond that without a stable primary bio page in the sources pulled today.

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Ahombi Mike
Charlotte, NC

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Listed as a Kizomba-related guest artist in your roster. Public bio details were not retrieved today from a stable primary page, so the listing remains role-forward & city-specific.​

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Music Producers & Live Music

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Dj Emerzive (Emerson Morales)
Washington, DC

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Deejay Colombiano
Dallas, TX

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DJ Fernando
Houston, TX

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Archie Uno
Houston, TX

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GRUPO EXTRA Bachata Band
Dominican Republic & Switzerland

Live music collaborator listed as a Bachata band in your roster.

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Full Roster List

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Jay Stylz, Dallas, TX
Jorge “Ataca” Burgos, Puerto Rico
Tanja “La Alemana” Kensinger, Germany
Kamacho, Brazil
Vladi Aragon, Washington, DC
Ximena Verónica Torres, Washington, DC
João Cabral, Brazil
Max Solorzano, Colombia
Erika Merino, Houston, TX
Karla Blanco, Venezuela
Sebastion, Hungary
Elisa, Dallas, TX
Jonathan Ibarra, city not listed in roster
Gabriela Equiz, city not listed in roster
Marc Brewer, city not listed in roster
Cee Jay Jackson, Chicago, IL
Igor Fraga, Brazil
Sami Selo Ahmed, Washington, DC
Jonathan, New York City, NY
Jennifer Isabel, New York City, NY
Jessica Trujillo, Los Ángeles, CA
Walter, Brazil
Emma Housner, Los Angeles, CA
Elias Travers, Los Angeles, CA
Stephany Dance, Los Angeles, CA
Iago F. Pinho, Brazil
Odeth Castillo, Mexico City, Mexico
Lisa Marie, Denver, CO
Rachel Leigh Farley, Denver, CO
Mike Zuniga, Los Angeles, CA
Ivo Vieira, Portugal
Shika Jay, Dallas, TX
Ab Kizz, Vancouver, Canada
Roberto Lay, Dallas, TX
Jeffrey, California
Marina, California