About
A big house with one job.
Helping dancers who travel to São Paulo leave with progress, not just notes.
Why Refúgio exists
Brazil was never short of good teachers.
Dancers travel to Brazil for its professors and its socials, and both are excellent. What is usually missing is the connection between them: someone deciding what to work on, choosing who teaches it, finding partners to train it with, and checking what holds up on the social floor.
Refúgio exists to do that work, in a house where the dancing, the training and daily life sit under one roof — and where there are never more than five guests, so every plan stays personal.
The story behind Refúgio
Meet Mo
Founder & Owner of Zouk Refúgio
For Mo Cho, Zouk is more than a dance — it is a way of life. Zouk Refúgio grew from that conviction, and from a simple ambition: to build one of the best places in the world to dance and learn Zouk, and to open São Paulo’s Zouk community to dancers from everywhere.
He wanted international guests to feel safe from the moment they arrive, connect quickly with the local scene, learn efficiently and experience the city without unnecessary stress — so they can focus on dancing and improving.
Today Mo leads Refúgio’s strategic direction, partnerships and growth, and shapes its voice through social media, content and sales. His approach to the training program carries something from an earlier chapter: six years running his own Tae Kwon Do school, and coaching after winning two national sparring championships. Those coaching principles now help shape how every Refúgio program is built.
“Zouk is life.”
How we coach
Principles we hold to.
One direction
We welcome different teaching perspectives on the foundations of Zouk, helping you find the explanations and approaches that make the most sense to you.
More is not better
More classes don’t always mean more progress. The right session at the right time does more than three random ones.
Feel before form
Your partners’ experience of your dancing is information. Training partners tell you what they feel.
The social floor is the test
What works in a lesson has to work with a stranger at midnight. That is why we go to the socials with you.
The body sets the pace
Your coach follows how you feel as well as your technique, and adjusts the load.
The people
The people behind Refúgio.
Great experiences are built by people who care. From dance coaching and thoughtful hospitality to creative storytelling and everyday details, our team brings together different talents with one shared purpose: making every guest feel welcomed, supported, and connected.
Lívia Torres
Head of Operations, Zouk Teacher & Coach
Lívia brings together leadership, teaching, and personal connection to help create the welcoming atmosphere of Zouk Refúgio. She supports the team, oversees daily operations, and guides guests throughout their immersion, helping each person feel confident and supported both on and off the dance floor. Dancing since the age of six and teaching Forró since 2020, Lívia believes dance is about much more than learning steps. For her, it is a way to discover yourself, build confidence, and form meaningful connections. She has been part of Zouk Refúgio since 2024.
Brazilian Zouk · Forró · Dance Coaching · Guest Experience · Team Leadership
Instagram
Nina Santos
Dance Coach & Zouk Teacher
Nina helps guests shape their learning journey from their first assessment to the final moments of their immersion. With over ten years of dance experience and a degree in Dance Education from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), she combines thoughtful teaching with an individual approach to movement. Specializing in Brazilian Zouk, Urban Zouk, and Hip Hop, Nina focuses on musicality, body awareness, footwork, and movement quality, helping dancers develop confidence, autonomy, and their own artistic identity.
Brazilian Zouk · Urban Zouk · Hip Hop · Dance Education
Instagram
Mariana Oliveira Tollendal Alvarenga
Social Media Manager & Content Producer
Mariana brings the Zouk Refúgio experience to life through visual storytelling, photography, video, and creative communication. With over eight years of experience in digital content creation, social media, and audiovisual production, she captures the people, energy, and meaningful moments that make Refúgio special. Also a professional singer and performer, Mariana brings an artistic perspective to her work, connecting the community with new audiences and sharing its stories beyond the dance floor.
Visual Storytelling · Content Production · Photography · Social Media
Instagram
Milene Moraes
Guest Experience & Events
Milene helps make every immersion feel effortless, welcoming, and thoughtfully organized. From preparing accommodations and coordinating schedules to supporting activities and guest communication, she takes care of the details that allow visitors to focus on their experience. With a background in Brazilian Zouk and other Brazilian and Latin partner dances, Milene also contributes to guests’ development on the dance floor, bringing together hospitality, organization, and a genuine passion for dance.
Guest Experience · Operations · Events · Brazilian Zouk · Partner Dances
Instagram
Daiy Silva
Housekeeping & House Organization
Daiy helps make Zouk Refúgio feel like a home away from home. Responsible for housekeeping, room preparation, and the organization of shared spaces, she ensures that guests arrive in a clean, comfortable, and welcoming environment. Beyond her work in hospitality, Daiy has over 30 years of experience in partner dancing, including 28 years dedicated to Brazilian Zouk. Her background also includes dance teaching, massage therapy, and event reception. She brings experience, care, and a deep connection to Brazilian dance culture into everyday life at Refúgio.
Housekeeping · Hospitality · Brazilian Zouk · Partner Dances
Instagram
Fernanda
Head Chef & Baker
The team
Coaches, professors and partners.
We select outstanding English-speaking teachers based on availability and your learning goals, drawing from a network of more than 30 teachers and training partners.
Why São Paulo
A city that dances.
São Paulo has an active Zouk scene with regular socials, which turns the city itself into a training ground. Learning in the day and testing it at night is the rhythm the immersion is built on.
Community
The house hosts socials, events, parties and hangs. Day-to-day life at Refúgio is on Instagram.
Follow us on InstagramMeet us at Refúgio
Come and see for yourself.
Tell us your goals, and your dates if you have them. We’ll reply with a first idea of your plan.