Kadu Pires

Kadu Pires is a Brazilian dancer, teacher, choreographer, and singer, widely recognized as one of the leading figures in spreading Brazilian Zouk worldwide. Born in São Paulo, he began his artistic journey young and soon stood out as a key talent of a new generation of dancers. After moving to Rio de Janeiro, he deepened his studies in Samba de Gafieira and Samba no Pé, becoming a reference in these styles and joining renowned companies such as those of Jimmy de Oliveira and Alex de Carvalho.

In 2005 he began his partnership with Larissa Thayane, forming one of the most iconic and influential duos in Brazilian Zouk. Together, in 2006, they released the first instructional DVD series for Zouk and Samba de Gafieira, sold worldwide, and in 2011 they pioneered online classes in these styles, creating a platform that marked the start of digital teaching of Brazilian dance.

In 2007 Kadu and Larissa moved to Australia, where they founded K&L Dance and played a crucial role in expanding Zouk in Oceania. In 2013 they created Casa do Zouk, one of the largest and most respected Zouk congresses in the world, held annually in Gold Coast. During this period, Kadu stood out as a choreographer for “So You Think You Can Dance Australia” and began acting as a judge and MC at major international events.

In 2014 he co-founded the Brazilian Zouk Dance Council (BZDC), which set professional standards for dancers, teachers, and judges and structured the style’s global competitive scene. In 2020 he co-created the Brazilian Zouk World Championships, held in Phoenix, Arizona — the first officially BZDC-sanctioned choreography championship, now an international reference for artistic excellence and community connection.

In parallel, Kadu developed a solid music career, with original work and collaborations in the dance scene. His musicality and artistic sensibility directly inform his pedagogy, resulting in classes and performances that unite technique, rhythm, and emotion.

He currently resides in Madrid (Spain), representing Brazilian culture on stages and in classrooms worldwide. He leads the K&L Teacher & Judge Training program, which has certified professionals in over 25 countries, and continues teaching, judging, and performing at international congresses. He is also dedicated to West Coast Swing, achieving notable results at the US Open Swing Dance Championships alongside Larissa Thayane.

With over 20 years of international career, Kadu Pires is celebrated for technical clarity, musicality, and inspiring leadership — a key figure in the history and evolution of Brazilian Zouk.