Meet Our Players

Highly acclaimed dancer, performer and dance instructor, as well as the most celebrated dancer in the world in his field of Brazilian dance. For more than 20 years he has been teaching and performing all over the world. He was the star of a major international dance show ‘Brazouka’ that traced his incredible life story through Brazilian dance.

Romina Hidalgo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She began dancing Lambada at 8 years of age and her dance grew thanks to the influences of Braz dos Santos and other world-famous teachers. At 16 she began to co-teach Lambada, becoming a full teacher at 18. She became the dance partner of Braz dos Santos. From 2006 onwards, they gave classes and workshops in different cities of the world and participated in countless festivals and congresses in Lambada. They had a glittering appearance at the "Suzanna Lubrano" and "Nelson Freitas" concert and also participated in the filming of a video clip with the renowned singer "Gil Semedo". In 2014 Romina participated in the show "Brazouka", with which she toured the world with Braz dos Santos as a dance couple. Today they continue working together, spreading dance and training students. Romina is a "Rainha de la Lambada" (‘Queen of Lambada’) but she also excels in many other dance styles, as demonstrated in her outstanding contribution to ‘Bum Farto The Musical.’

Tybaldt Ulrich as Bum Farto. Based in NYC. Tybladt is most known as a champion in West Coast Swing and Hustle, and has been teaching dance since the mid 90’s. He has performed and taught Zouk, Lambada, Carolina Shag, New York Salsa, Argentine Tango, Ballroom, social Latin, Country Western, Fusion, and Lindy Hop.

Jessica Lamdon, also known as “Unicorn,” (the nickname she was crowned by her mentor and partner Ry’el) instructor, performer, actor, MC, and professional hugger, has been dancing since she was 8 years old. She began with competitive international 10-dance ballroom dancing and was fortunate enough to compete and place in international competitions such as Black Pool and represent the US in the Worlds Competition in 2007.

Jessica flirted with other Latin dances and styles. She then totally emerged into acting for stage and film throughout high school and college, while earning her BA in Psychology.

Along the way, the Unicorn got bit by the Brazilian Zouk bug in 2012 and never recovered.

She has had the honor of training with her mentor, partner, and founder of ZenZouk Ry'el Velandia and getting certified by Kim Rottier.

She has had the pleasure of traveling to teach and perform in congresses throughout the states and Europe. Jessica also had the privilege of partaking in a workshop and performance of hit show Braz Dos Santos's Brazouka.

Jessica is so proud to be representing ZenZouk and grateful to have Brazilian Zouk Lambada be in her life and the lives of others. She is so humbled and excited to share her discoveries in movement.

For more updates check out her Instagram: @jesslamz.

Brad Meccia is the founder and head instructor at Armada Zouk Dance LLC, Knoxville’s longest running zouk company. Armada Zouk currently features 4 hours of weekly classes which includes 4 levels of social dancing classes and weekly socials as well as instructing weekly classes in Asheville, NC. He has trained throughout the US and Brazil, where his time training with Renata Peçanha helped to develop his Rio Zouk style. In addition to Rio Style, Brad has completed a NeoZouk techniques instructor certification with Marco “Mafie Zouker” Mendonça and the Master Braz ELITE Certificate Course. Outside of dance, Brad received a PhD in biomedical engineering with a focus in biomechanics. This provides unique insights into movement of the body which allow his instruction to really break down the biomechanics of different motions on a joint-by-joint and muscle-by-muscle basis.

Devon Near-Hill is a teaching and performing artist who hails from Mendocino County, California. Her movement background includes bellydance, ballet, salsa, and modern dance. While earning her BFA in Acting at USC, Devon fell in love with Lambada and Brazilian Zouk and has since been exploring it's depths. She feels lucky to have trained, performed, and taught with Jerry Lai, Renata Peçanha USA, Gilson Damasco and Braz Dos Santos. Devon won second place in the 2018 LA Zouk Festival Semipro US Brazilian Zouk Open competition as the first female lead to ever compete. Devon and Jerry Lai then toured the curriculums Deconstructing Zouk and Efficient Follow internationally with the goal of creating versatile, embodied, and intentional movers. Devon is thrilled to make her Bum Farto debut alongside some of her dance idols!