Our Teachers
Zouk Unity Manifesto
Our mission at Zouk Unity Dance is to provide students of all levels with more than just dance classes, but a unique experience in which the student can grow both mentally and physically as a dancer. Our highly trained and certified instructors have a wealth of experience in teaching and performing this beautiful dance
Here at Zouk-Unity Dance, we have a passion for the art of dance and for helping others discover their inner dancer. Are you ready to get up and move? Contact us today to learn more about our studio.
Heidi Anastasia Santoso
"Dance is the timeless interpretation of life”
Heidi started learning Brazilian Rio Zouk in Sydney in 2010 and completely fell in love. Her passion motivated her to travel to Europe to attend multiple Zouk Congresses and events to learn from international instructors in her first year as a student. Gradually, she was invited to become a Zouk Instructor in various dance studios, teaching regular weekly classes and also workshops at Brazil Central & Sydney International Bachata Festival.
Heidi has grown to be a major contributor to the development of the Zouk scene in Sydney. She now hosts Sydney’s largest weekly Zouk Friday Social Night Practice and also coordinating various events such as International Zouk Flash Mobs, and coordinating several International Artist events such as Val & Vanessa, Bruno & Raiza, Marck & Melissa to name a few. She has also created Qi Zouk where teaches Qi Zouk concept courses, Zouk Lab, and reversed role classes (Leaders & Followers).
Heidi also currently teaches at:
A Touch of Salsa - 2 levels of Zouk classes offered, classes every Monday night from 6.45pm.
Photo Credit: Sam Matthews Photography
Sara Lim
"Nothing is out of reach. Do what makes you happy"
Sara has been a regular instructor since 2013. She has performed and conducted workshops in several International dance festivals, namely Singapore International Latin Festival 2015-2017, Boracay International Dance Festival, Salsa Bangkok Fiesta 2016-2017, World Bachata Festival 2016, Afro Latin Festival 2017 & Zouk South East Asia Festival 2015-2017, 2019, Brisbane Zouk Festival 2018, Sydney Zouk Festival 2017, Casa do Zouk, Brisbane Zouk Festival, Zouk Central New Zealand.
She’s also focused on choreographing and training several Zouk teams ranging from beginners to advanced, where these team performances were selected to be the opening number of dance congresses and many other concert events.
Certified for completion of Brazilian Teachers Training - by Kadu & Larissa
Certified BZDC Judge
Sunny Wo
"Zouk is Brazilian MSG. Flavour bomb!"
Sunny is an experienced Zouk dancer who has a strong passion for social dancing. Since 2014, he has taught in over 5 different schools including Rio Zouk Sydney, Go-Dance Sydney and currently in Latin Dance Australia, A Touch of Salsa and of course Zouk Unity Dance School where he teaches regular classes, choreographies and workshops at various Australian Zouk festivals.
He has also actively led 8 student teams in these various schools, bringing them to perform in events all across the country.
2016 - Student Team: “Zoukura”
2018 - Student Team: “Balao Brothers Boneca Babes”
2015 & 2016 & 2017 & 2018 & 2019 & 2021 & 2022 - Latin Dance Australia - Student Team: “Zoukinis”
Sunny also currently teaches at:
A Touch of Salsa - 2 levels of Zouk classes offered, classes every Monday night from 6.45pm.
Photo Credit: Sam Matthews Photography
Jeff Zhou
"Real Men Dance Zouk"
Jeff is an experienced zouk dancer of 10 years starting in 2010 and has been tutored and inspired by various international dance artist such as Arthur & Layssa, Kadu & Larissa, and Carlos & Fernanda throughout the years. He is an avid freestyle competitor and social dancer winning or placing in 6 intermediate finals and is keen to further share his love of the dance.
Jeff and Sara have won 2nd place in Strictly Jack and Jills together in Singapore Zouk Sensation. Together, Jeff and Sara are active community leaders in the Sydney Zouk scene, building social events, workshops, and choreographies, cultivating dance friendships under Zouk Unity Sydney Dance School. Their regular zouk team named “Balao Brothers Boneca Babes” has continued for over 5 exciting seasons and performed in multiple festivals and events around Australia, also winning 2nd place in the zouk team division in Brazouky Melbourne, Australia.
Certified for completion of Brazilian Teachers Training - 30 hours with Kadu & Larissa
Certified BZDC Judge
Photo credit: Sam Matthews Photogrpahy
Student Testimonials
Heidi is a great teacher who helped to build my zouk base. She has an uncanny ability to spot how I could improve my fundamental movements. If you get to dance with Heidi as a lead or follow, you'll feel the delicious connection and an amazing fluidity and continuity of movement
Jason Ma
If you’re just starting Zouk, need a refresher or looking to expand your repertoire, I highly recommend Sunny.
His versatile teaching style can cater to all levels whilst offering a fun interactive and supportive environment.
Kylie Mar
Jeff and Sara are both accomplished teachers and performers of zouk who demonstrate a passion for their craft and who bring a fun dynamic to their classes. Being part of their choreo teams over the last few years has definitely allowed me to focus on improving my zouk technique and my confidence in performing. I've had so much fun learning from them. Karin
Karin Potter
Being quite new to the zouk style at the time of signing up to Sara and Jeff's choreography class in 2019 I was nervous about whether I made the right call. From the first lesson though they made each class fun, easy to understand and very enjoyable. With the pair fostering a genuinely accepting and helpful environment I've completed and performed two choreographies since and looking forward to the next one.
Damien Lee
Sunny is a very technically gifted teacher, and has the skill to demonstrate, teach, and share that knowledge in a challenging and fun environment. Ever encouraging and patient, with proactive feedback to help you improve your skill level. Just an all round great guy 👍
Simon Green
Always positive and encouraging, I love learning from Sunny.
He is definitely the reason i am addicted to Zouk and push myself to be better.
His classes are never the same, as he personalises the core lesson to the level of the class. I don’t feel like I get lost in the background as he will walk around the room and offer assistance where needed or move variations for a challenge. I couldn’t recommend Sunny enough.
Jess Mar
If you want to learn Zouk, Heidi can start you at the bare basics and teach you right through to complex moves. She makes it easy, fun and entertaining. It’s always great to have a lesson with Heidi ❤️.
Rose Horsfield
These classes are incredible and so much fun!!! Heidi manages to tap into each person's strengths whilst also building on weakeness to bring the best out of a dancer. Her thorough knowledge of Zouk, flow and the human body in general makes these classes unique and extremely beneficial. I notice an improvement in my own technique after each and every class. No two classes are the same but I guarantee they're all going to knock your socks off (and maybe your dance shoes too) 😉.
Em Raft
Heidi perfectly embodies Qi in her Zouk. She has an abundance of knowledge to share and is an extremely humble and patient teacher. Having attended her Zouk lab workshops, I found the structure and content great in that it gave students the space and freedom to figure things out in their own bodies and then workshop it collaboratively to bounce ideas off one another. Whether you are a leader or follower, Heidi will be able to guide you on your journey to improve your Zouk.