meet Elena.

Originally from Northern California, Elena has a diverse background of many different arts and sports including ballet/jazz/modern/contemporary dance, parkour, Latin ballroom, and 13 years of competitive gymnastics.

She began her Brazilian zouk journey in 2017 with the Renata Peçanha USA school in Los Angeles. Over the years she has also trained with other instructors such as Bruno Galhardo, Brenda & Anderson, and Arthur & Layssa. In 2017 she revived the Brazilian zouk community in Oakland, CA, and hosted classes, socials, and weekenders there until the pandemic in February 2020.

She currently lives in Washington DC, where she teaches with District Zouk, as well as teaching classes and DJ-ing at Brazilian zouk events across North America.

She was the sixth follow in North America to qualify to the Advanced division of Brazilian Zouk Jack & Jill competitions. She currently holds two first place titles in Advanced - with Bruno Miranda at the 2022 Brazilian Zouk World Championships, and with Saulo Dias at ZoukMX 2023. She is also a BZDC-certified judge.

In addition to Brazilian Zouk, she also dances samba de gafieira, samba no pé, bachata, forró, salsa, West Coast swing, and more.

The nickname “Rhinestone” came from her love for sparkly accessories, and now refers the way she shines when dancing. She loves to incorporate body neutrality  into her teaching so that people of all body types can learn to dance and find their shine as well!