Zouk Nation - "Zouk is the dance of the 21st Century"

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“This site is dedicated to all the amazing and talented zouk instructors and zouk artists who have given so much to the zouk community over the years and continue to inspire us each and every day.”

- Nicholas Bambo,
Founder and Creative Director of Zouk Nation

About Zouk Nation

Q: What is Zouk Nation?

A: Zouk Nation is a nonpartisan group based in New York City which is dedicated to incurring the growth of both Brazilian Zouk dancing and the appreciation of Zouk music in North America and around the world.

Q: What is it you do exactly?

A: A little bit of everything. We set up large Zouk events that are often tied to workshops with visiting instructors. We try to make it easier for instructors to come here and teach by helping them set up workshops and assisting them in promoting and marketing them. We also work with a number of Zouk recording artists, trying to bring more exposure to them and their music so they can get their foot in the door of the North American music scene.

Q: Why do you work with both Zouk instructors and Zouk recording artists?

A: Because dancers need music and the recording artists need dancers.

Q: Exactly, who do you work with?

A: Everyone. Zouk instructors, Zouk recording artists and Zouk DJs. We are not interested in working with any one person exclusively because it goes against the primary rule Zouk Nation has about “no competition.”

Q: Why do you have a rule about “no competition”?

A: Because we feel it would be detrimental to the growing Zouk scene here. Schools, somewhat understandably, tend to view other schools as competition, but in the U.S. the demand for Zouk instructors outweighs the supply. All competition would do is divide the community. The Zouk community is stronger working together.

Q: Once the Zouk scene in the U.S. has grown larger enough, would you consider working with someone exclusively then?

A: No, because it is goes against our belief that music and dancing should unite people, not divide them.

About the Zouk Instructor Directory

Q: What is the Zouk Instructor Directory?

A: The Zouk Instructor Directory (ZID) is currently the largest listing of Brazilian Zouk instructors online.

Q: What is the purpose of the ZID?

A: The purpose of the ZID is to create a place online where people can go to find out more about all the amazing Brazilian Zouk instructor who are teaching in the world today, and if they are interested in learning Brazilian Zouk, to help them find a Zouk instructor in their area.

Q: I noticed there are a few instructors who are not listed on the directory, why is that?

A: While the ultimate goal of the ZID is to create a complete listing of all the Zouk instructors teaching in the world today, it is simply not possible for us to know about every Zouk instructor out there. In short, we need your help. If you notice an instructor who is not listed, let us know. Or better yet, have that instructor get in touch with us at onezouknation@gmail.com so we can add them to the directory.

Q: How does one go about getting listed on the ZID?

A: If you are an instructor and you would like to be listed on the ZID, simply send us a short bio about yourself, a photo and your contact info to onezouknation@gmail.com.

About the Zouk Nation Podcast

Q: What is a podcast?

A: A podcast is a pre-recorded radio show that is produced and offered as simple .mp3 or .mp4 files that you can download and listen to on your computer, Ipod or portable .mp3 player.

Q: Why a podcast?

A: A podcast addresses one of the biggest obstacles that must be overcome in order for the zouk scene to grow in the United States, the fact it is next to impossible to purchase the music here. For example, if one were to go into any major music retail outlet in New York City, such as the Virgin Mega Music Store in Times Square, one would not be able to find a single Zouk album in the store, but if one were to go into the Virgin Mega Store on the Champs De Elysees in Paris one would find an entire section dedicated to Zouk. A Zouk podcast is one way around this problem.

Q: What kind of music can I expect to hear on the podcast?

A: Zouk or any music that is “zoukable.” It doesn’t matter the country of origin so long as it has the familiar Zouk beat. The music you will not be hearing are any major recording artists from the U.S. The reason being, they already get enough exposure. The idea of the Zouk Nation Podcast is to bring exposure to those Zouk recording artists who, as of this writing, are largely unheard of in United States.

Q: What is “creative commons” music?

A: Creative commons music is a mutual understanding between the podcaster, in this case Zouk Nation, and the recording artist that any music used on the podcast will be for broadcast purposes only. It will not, under any circumstances, be reproduced, distributed or sold for monetary gain.

Q: How long is each episode?

A: Episodes will average around thirty minutes, sometimes a little longer, sometimes a little less.

Q: How often will a new episode be posted?

A: We try our best to post a new episode on a bi-monthly basis. But due to limited resource that is not always possible with all the other projects Zouk Nation is working on.

Q: How do I listen to the show?

A: A link to the latest episode of the Podcast can be found in the right hand column of the website. Simply click on the Podcast Player which reads, “Download Podcast.”

Q: Where can I find previous episodes of the Podcast?

A: Previous episodes can be found in the “Archives Box” located just below the Podcast Player.

Q: Where can I find out more about the artists featured on the Podcast?

A: To find out who the artist of a particular song is, check out the Playlist for the episode which is posted in the right hand column of the website. Once you find out their name, you can look them up their profile in the Zouk Artist Directory (ZAD) located on the Music section of the Zouk Nation website.

Q: Can I dedicate a song to someone?

A: Yes, just send an email to onezouknation@gmail.com. Tell us who you would like the song dedicated to and any personal message you might like to add. Please be aware that it is hard for us to accommodate every request and certain occasions will be given a higher priority, such as birthdays or special announcements of a similar nature.

Q: I am a recording artist and I would like to contribute some of my music to the Zouk Nation Podcast. How do I go about doing that?

A: Simply contact the office at Zouk Nation, onezouknation@gmail.com, and we will be more than happy to go over all the details with you.

About the Zouk Music Distribution Project

Q: What is the Zouk Music Distribution Program (ZMDP)?

A: With the cooperation of a number of Zouk recording artists, in October of 2010 Zouk Nation launched a program to provide the leaders of the various Zouk communities in the U.S. and Canada with free music.

Q: What is the purpose of the ZMDP?

A: The purpose of the program is to provide free music to the people who need it the most, the instructors, and in return to bring more exposure to the artists who are creating all of the amazing music that we love to dance to.

Q: How does one become eligible to participate in the program?

A: In order to qualify you must be a Zouk instructor who is currently teaching a Brazilian Zouk dance class in the United States or Canada.

Q: Why is it that only instructors from the U.S. and Canada are allowed to participate?

A: The reason that the U.S. and Canada have been singled out has to do with the fact that it is impossible to find the music here, while it is not as difficult to find the music overseas.

Q: Is there any chance that Zouk instructors from overseas will be able to participate in this program?

A: As of this writing there are no plans to extend the Program beyond the U.S. and Canada. But if the program proves successful and the numbers are there, who knows. Anything is possible.

Q: I am a Zouk recording artist and would like to participate in the ZMDP. What do I need to do?

A: Simply contact the office at Zouk Nation, onezouknation@gmail.com, and we will be more than happy to explain what you need to do to get started.