Weekly Spotlight Conversations Launch featuring Celine L.
We are launching a new segment on our blog Weekly Spotlight Conversations with CWDS students to allow our dance family to learn more of the diversity amongst our wonderful Zouk community! Celine has been a student with CWDS since 2018. She has performed with us in a dance festival and participated in two flashmob choreographies since. More recently, she danced a Zouk number as her wedding dance with her husband in their wedding this year!
When did you start dancing? Celine: About two years ago. I started Bachata at another dance school in Singapore where I saw Zouk for the first time and loved it instantly.
Which is your favourite Zouk project/event/classes thus far?
Celine: Flashmob! I really liked the song for that one. We danced to Havana in an open field. (Video here)
Why did you enjoy it so much?
It has an innate sensuality that isn't too risqué. An elegant sensuality that comes from its fluidity and the illusion of mastery that the lead has over the follower who, especially when doing those head movements and off-axis turns, seems to be utterly in his sway—though to produce that illusion she needs to have a hell lot of control!
(Did we mention Celine is also a literature graduate? =P)
What is your favourite part about Zouk/the Zouk community?
People are friendly and non-judgmental, and when you slack off or disappear too long from the scene they come knocking for you to come back—not in a pushy way, but in a way that makes you feel like they actually missed your company.
What would you like to see more in the Singapore Zouk scene? Do you have any personal Zouk goals?
I like classes that teach choreography. Preferably on the weekends! I've been trying to get my husband to get into Zouk for ages because that would make it a lot more enjoyable for me, but it's hard because he isn't that skilled for improvisation during socials yet, so he prefers learning a choreographies.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Amiable, mellow, light-hearted.
Any fun trivia facts about you?
If alcohol didn't have calories I'd be drinking every day!
Who are some of your favourite Zouk dancers/teachers?
Cheryl, easily! If I had to name others . . . Bruno Galhardo and Brenda Carvalho, Fernanda Da Silva, Paloma Alves.
Share a Zouk video that you really like!
I like this dance between William Teixeira & Fernanda Da Silva as it is frisky yet seductive. They hit the beats with such oomph! And there's a drama to the dance that's very engaging.