Our Team
Chinkee Kat, Owner & Founder
Chinkee Kat appreciates many different forms of art, but dancing is one that she’s always loved with a passion. Based in Richmond VA, this proud Filipina first experienced the beauty of partner dancing in 2018 at a Salsa Bachata social, but got bit by the Zouk bug just 6 months later and was immediately obsessed. She has, since then, heavily invested her time in growing the Brazilian Zouk community in RVA and training with the world’s finest instructors like Ry’el & Jessica, Bruno & Raiza, Kadu & Larissa, Alex & Mathilde and more.
As a social dancer, she loves to adapt with different styles of movement on the dance floor to achieve the best connection possible. With a background in hip-hop, she mostly enjoys a fiery connection which, to her, feels most expressive. As a teacher, she strives to create well-versed dancers by drilling technique and being attentive to every person in the room. Most importantly, as a person trying to grow the scene, she aims to foster a sense of community, constantly working to fill any gaps.
In January 2020, she started her own organization called RVA Zouk Movement and wishes to continue raising awareness for Brazilian Zouk in Richmond and surrounding scenes, not just with classes but also community-building events.
Warren Holly, Music Specialist
Warren started to be involved with dance in 2010. Since then, he has explored a variety of genres, including hip-hop, house, salsa, and bachata. In 2018, he developed interest in Brazilian Zouk and is now solely focused on improving in that style. In January 2020, he decided to take a step further in contributing to the community’s growth by learning to deejay and has since made his mark as DJ WarHoll from RVA. He hopes to continue to grow the local Richmond Zouk scene as well as grow in his knowledge and appreciation for the culture.
Daisy Banta, Community Safety & Wellness Consultant
Daisy began dancing in 2019 while living in São Paulo, Brazil on a Fulbright grant. She signed up for forró classes at the local community center as a way to practice Portuguese but quickly fell in love with everything about social dancing: the close-knit community, the platform for self-expression and discovery, and especially with movement as an avenue for healing and wellbeing. Daisy now focuses on Zouk and loves welcoming newcomers to the growing Richmond scene. Outside of dance, Daisy works as an Epidemiologist for a local health department and also enjoys rock climbing, practicing acroyoga, and hiking.
