about
Our space
Second studio is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant Glebe neighbourhood in Ottawa.
It is the new home for Ottawa Zouk Dance Classes, offering weekly Brazilian zouk progressive classes, social dancing, and special weekend events with out-of-town instructors.
The studio is also an inclusive, multi-purpose space available for rental by instructors of other dances or movement forms.
Please contact us for more information!
Our name
Our name originates from the history of the space which we occupy. It was originally the Avalon Theatre, from 1928 to 1956, with the distinction of being the first theatre to show films with sound in Ottawa. Recently, the Acting Company renovated the 2nd floor of the space, and divided it into the Avalon Studio (which is still used by them), and Second Studio, where we now are.
Second studio is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant Glebe neighbourhood in Ottawa.
It is the new home for Ottawa Zouk Dance Classes, offering weekly Brazilian zouk progressive classes, social dancing, and special weekend events with out-of-town instructors.
The studio is also an inclusive, multi-purpose space available for rental by instructors of other dances or movement forms.
Please contact us for more information!
Our name
Our name originates from the history of the space which we occupy. It was originally the Avalon Theatre, from 1928 to 1956, with the distinction of being the first theatre to show films with sound in Ottawa. Recently, the Acting Company renovated the 2nd floor of the space, and divided it into the Avalon Studio (which is still used by them), and Second Studio, where we now are.
Zouk
Brazilian zouk is a partner dance that originated from lambada. In the 90s, pioneering dancers with contemporary dance background and knowledge of other Brazilian partner dances like Samba and Forro, took lambada, and fused it into zouk that is known today, with more linear steps, and danced on a slow-quick-quick rhythm. Zouk is known for its fluidity and flow in movements. Nowadays, zouk has evolved more, and can be danced on almost any type of music, with different styles, giving rise to endless musicality possibilities.
Brazilian zouk is a partner dance that originated from lambada. In the 90s, pioneering dancers with contemporary dance background and knowledge of other Brazilian partner dances like Samba and Forro, took lambada, and fused it into zouk that is known today, with more linear steps, and danced on a slow-quick-quick rhythm. Zouk is known for its fluidity and flow in movements. Nowadays, zouk has evolved more, and can be danced on almost any type of music, with different styles, giving rise to endless musicality possibilities.
Zouk Instructor
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Helen has been partner dancing for the last 14 years. She started with salsa in Montreal, and have represented and competed with the amateur troupe of San Tropez, and won 2nd place at the Montreal Salsa Convention in 2013. She discovered zouk in 2013 and fell in love with the versatility of movement and musicality. She has learned from top instructors around the world, and has been teaching zouk in Ottawa since 2016, first under the mentorship of Jules Bertrand (MTL) then progressed to teaching independently. Her teacher and professional training include:
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Zouk improvisation with Helen and Chris van Houten from Chicago