Brad Meccia is a very dedicated Zouk instructor. In June 2016, Brad trained with Zouk Legend Renata Peçanha in Brazil. With a PhD in biomedical engineering, Brad's ZOUK is detailed and well-instructed. Brad travels weekly between Nashville and Knoxville, as well as having performed with Lotus Folk in the 2016 New York Zouk Festival.
Lotus became deeply rooted in the therapeutic life of dance back in 2009 when she found Brazilian Zouk. Since then she has learned and taught in the US, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. Zouk has helped her to grow into the person she is today by illuminating the nature of connection.
Before her life as a dancer, Lotus was a strong competitive swimmer. At age 19 she was already ranked 43rd in the world and received a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. Around this same time is when she fell in love with Zouk. It served as an outlet from the life of a Division 1 athlete. In the winter of 2011 a shoulder injury caused Lotus to end her career as a swimmer. After recovering from surgery both mentally and physically she began to train intensively in Zouk. Her background in athletics provides knowledge of the body that is fundamental to dance.
Residing in Knoxville, TN Lotus was a teacher of EvoZouk Dance Company until 2016. She currently teaches at ArmadaZouk and spent 2016 travelling for dance. After being in Brazil one month training she became immersed in the culture of Zouk. Now she’s back in the US, and spreading the love of dance. She is known for her organic approach to stylization and her ability to break down dance concepts into simple understandable terms. Always ready to social dance and inspire, Lotus is ready to bring her smooth, connected style to NYC Zouk Festival! Come get a taste of her fantastic flow!