About

Kiz the SEASON 8: Dec. 1-3, 2023

About CinciKiz

What is Kizomba?

Kizomba is a partner dance that originates from the Angolan dance, semba. The music blends semba music with zouk and kompas music from the French Caribbean Islands. The infectious rhythms in the music and the elegant flow of the dance have brought widespread popularity to kizomba all over the world, including here in the U.S! We are excited to show you kizomba and have everyone in Cincinnati dancing!

The CinciKiz Mission

To advance the Cincinnati kizomba community by providing high-quality, diverse instruction, by encouraging thoughtful dialogue around relevant topics in the kizomba world, and by building connections - from personal to global.

What We Dance and Teach

Kizomba
Semba
Tarraxinha
Urban Kiz

Meet the Instructor

She thought she loved salsa...until she met Kizomba! Lisa was captivated by the earthy rhythms of the music and the fluid simplicity of the dance when she stumbled upon it watching dance videos some five years ago. Since then, Lisa has developed a passion to learn all she can about Kizomba and the vibrant culture from which it originates.

HER APPROACH

A school psychologist by profession of 21 years, Lisa understands best practices in teaching groups. She applies her skill as both lead and follow to not only teach technique, but to infuse her empathic perspective on each side of the social dance experience in a relatable way for each student. She is committed to her own learning, with quality training in semba, kizomba, afro-body movement, and urban kiz with top notch instructors.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Lisa has been teaching Kizomba in Cincinnati for more than three years. CinciKiz is very active with providing great learning and social opportunities in semba, kizomba, and urban kiz for dancers in Cincinnati and surrounding areas. In addition to teaching in Cincinnati, Lisa considers it an honor to have taught area dancers in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Louisville, Dayton, Columbus, OH, Detroit, and Chicago, and looks forward to the growth of the midwest regional kizomba community at large. As kizomba grows regionally and across the U.S., she believes that we can honor its origins by developing solid semba and kizomba foundations, by being open to learn the undergirding history and culture, and by fostering an inclusive spirit of community.

GIRLPOWER!

Lisa is especially attuned to the voices of women in the kizomba dance community in America. There are beautiful stories to be told that reach far beyond the notion of “just follow,” rich with themes of leadership, empowerment, and sisterhood. Lisa offers much gratitude to the many determined women of every hue, who have inspired her, with their persistence and grace.

BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE

Born in Texas, but raised in Circleville, Ohio, Lisa resides just outside of Cincinnati with her husband and four children, all of whom keep her busy! When she is not dancing Kizomba, Lisa still loves salsa! She also enjoys working out, singing for fun, and taking time to laugh. She’s on a journey of self-discovery, and believes that each day we are blessed with an opportunity to be better than we were the day before.