Meet Sarah 👋🏼 the heart & mind behind ChiWDC.
@szuccaro29
Chicago resident since 2014, is a seasoned dancer and educator with 30+ years of experience spanning traditional styles, American-style Ballroom, and the Afro-Latin partner dances. She has taught and performed at events across North America, Europe, and South America and has numerous finalist placements in social dance and performance competitions. Additionally, Sarah holds a B.S. in Dance Performance and Choreography from Eastern Michigan University as well as several teaching certifications.
In 2019, Sarah founded Urbanity Dance Chicago, a studio dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive space where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcome and empowered to achieve their best in dance. Her belief that hard work and commitment surpass natural talent allows her to never put limits on her students' potential. Although Sarah has shifted her priorities towards building Chicago's local community, she is still nationally sought-after for her expertise.
Meet Alaín 👋🏼 part of the team bringing the ChiWDC vision & spirit to life!
@alain_dance
He is an instructor and community organizer from Milwaukee, WI and the Midwest. Alaín has won and placed at several international level Brazilian Zouk competitions as a follow across North America and Europe. He also performed and competed as part of Salsabrosa and Salsabrositas for 5 years where he achieved 13 first place awards as both a lead and follow in Salsa on 1, Salsa on 2 and Bachata choreography and social dance categories.
Alaín has experience directing two dance companies that performed throughout the USA. Most notable performances included: The half time show for the Milwaukee Bucks, opening act for international Salsa artist La India, backup dancer for Bachata artist J Torres, and for Latin dance congresses and Festivals in major cities like New York, Nashville, Phoenix, Los Angeles & Chicago.
Meet Nadine 👋🏼 part of the team bringing the ChiWDC vision & spirit to life!
@nadine.ghanem
With 15 years of experience in partner dancing, Nadine's journey began with salsa (her first love). In 2021, she discovered Urban Kiz at a regional weekender, which quickly became her passion. After countless hours of practice and training, Nadine started co-teaching locally and regionally in early 2022, and began competing in Jack and Jill competitions.
In 2023, Nadine started investing in the local dance community by organizing small events. In 2024, she co-hosted weekenders with Kiz n Chill, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Kizomba & Urban Kiz communities in Chicago.
✨ DJ AFRODESHIAK✨
DJ Afrodeshiak (Amber Perkins) was born in Wakanda, Africa. Shortly after birth she was brought to Nashville, TN where she was raised. After she graduated college she discovered and fell in love with international partner dance music such as Salsa, Timba, Bachata, Zouk, and Kizomba. Over the years she was a founding member of Nashville Rueda, taught dance classes in Casino, Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba, and has DJ’d at various dance events around the USA and abroad.
In 2013 after seeing a lack of women DJs in the dance world, DJ Afrodeshiak decided to step up to the challenge and start spinning! In the beginning the focus was kizomba, semba, zouk, and Afro rhythms, but after ten years behind the decks she has expanded to Brazilian Zouk, Bachata, Salsa, Timba, and American music.
DJ Afrodeshiak has played at major and smaller events all across North America such as Interfusion, Balumuka Festival, Kiz n the 6ix in Toronto, One Kiz in Dallas, Denver Salsa and Bachata Congress, NYC SBKZ, RVA Weekender Hybrid, and the Zouk Heat events in DC.
In addition to djing she also coaches and mentors various djs across the world, and she especially loves to work with other women djs. You can also hear Dj Afrodeshiak’s very entertaining and insightful thoughts and opinions on the Dance No Cap Podcast; a weekly show that discusses various topics relevant to the dance community.
When she is not DJ’ing she enjoys traveling the world, spending time playing Roblox with her children, and perusing TikTok and Reddit.
⚠️ BOOK NOW ➡️ chiwdc.com
🗓️ OCT 16-19, 2026
🎟️ Early Bird passes on sale at chiwdc.com/register
🏨 ALL-IN-ONE ➡️ book your room at chiwdc.com/venue (as low as $147 including fees)
✨ FUQUAN & CANDACE✨
Fuquan Ferrell and Candace Joyner, known professionally as Fuego Y Hielo, are internationally recognized dancers, choreographers, performers, and instructors celebrated for their refined movement, elite-level social dancing, and captivating stage presence. Known for blending precision, musicality, connection, and artistry, they have built a reputation for creating experiences that feel as powerful socially as they do theatrically.
Their work spans performances, international teaching, choreography, artist development, and community building, with a style rooted in Salsa, Mambo, Afro-Latin movement, and partner work that emphasizes both technical excellence and authentic expression. Whether teaching a workshop, performing on stage, or social dancing until sunrise, they are known for bringing intention, emotion, and high-level execution into every moment.
Beyond performance, Fuego Y Hielo has become a respected name within the dance community for their ability to teach in a way that is both deeply technical and accessible. Their classes challenge dancers to grow not just through patterns, but through movement quality, musical understanding, body awareness, and connection.
As artists, educators, and social dancers, they represent a modern standard of Latin dance—one where artistry, culture, technique, and real connection all coexist. Through every class, performance, and dance, Fuego Y Hielo continues to leave a lasting impression on communities around the world.
⚠️ BOOK NOW ➡️ chiwdc.com
🗓️ OCT 16-19, 2026
🎟️ Early Bird passes on sale at chiwdc.com/register
🏨 ALL-IN-ONE ➡️ book your room at chiwdc.com/venue (as low as $147 including fees)
✨ JURCIC✨
He does it all. He’s been teaching Kiz / Urban Kiz for a few years, now, and his technique, musicality, creativity and swag set him apart. Salsa, Bachata, Tango, Dancehall have made him the dancer he is today ✨
He believes that, “Dance is the expression of self through movements and every movement you do should be purposeful.” His goal is to help dancers develop their personality into their dance; creating dancers and not robots.
⚠️ BOOK NOW ➡️ chiwdc.com
🗓️ OCT 16-19, 2026
🎟️ Early Bird passes on sale at chiwdc.com/register
🏨 ALL-IN-ONE ➡️ book your room at chiwdc.com/venue (as low as $147 including fees)
🔥 ChiWDC 2026 ➡️ chiwdc.com
JOIN US ✨ Together we’ll create a legacy where passion, collaboration and growth thrive.
📣 2026 ARTISTS 📣
Nicolò de Angelis (Salsa)
Charlie & Scarlett (Salsa)
Juan y Sara (Sensual Bachata)
Carlos y Susan (Bachata)
JP & Stephy (Urban Kiz)
Ulan & Marzhan (Urban Kiz)
Alex de Carvalho (B. Zouk)
Walter & Larissa (B. Zouk)
💃🏽 Salsa . Bachata . Kizomba . Zouk
📆 October 16 - 19, 2026
🏨 Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare
‼️stay tuned & follow us on FB & IG
❓for questions, email us at [email protected]
✨ WALTER & LARISSA✨
Walter Fernandes graduated from the Jaime Aroxa Dance School, where he began dancing at age 15 through the social project “Bem da cabeça aos pés.” Specializing in both Samba de Gafieira and Brazilian Zouk, he gained international recognition after winning the 2015 Gafieira Brasil award with Cia Dom. He has taught and performed in more than 16 countries and is credited with helping introduce Brazilian Zouk to the Israeli community, now known as “Zouko.”
Larissa Secco graduated in Physical Education from the Federal University of Santa Catarina and trained for 16 years in Classical Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary Dance. Since beginning Ballroom Dance in 2014, she has focused on Brazilian Zouk as a teacher, performer, and researcher, developing dance pedagogy projects connected to psychology and learning. Today, she teaches workshops and performs internationally alongside Walter Fernandes.
Their partnership began in January 2021 when they discovered a shared purpose in their dance. They believe that dance is a tool for transformation in the lives of many people. Beyond techniques, movements, leads, and embellishments, this art form connects intelligence and bodily expression in the non-verbal communication between two people. Only in this way do we go from being mere executors of movements to dancers who not only feel for themselves but also create empathy with one another.
⚠️ BOOK NOW ➡️ chiwdc.com
🗓️ OCT 16-19, 2026
🎟️ Early Bird passes on sale at chiwdc.com/register
🏨 ALL-IN-ONE ➡️ book your room at chiwdc.com/venue (as low as $147 including fees)
