My name is Nicolas Guilbaud, I am a 33 years old and up until now I used to be a business manager in the temporary work industry, meaning that I am half a sales person, half a recruiting officer. Seven years ago, I discovered dance through Brazilian zouk while I was studying social economy in Lyon. This hobby became my passion ever since, it allowed me to meet my girlfriend more than 3 years ago now, and it also made move away from Lyon to Toulouse 2 years ago to find my work/private life balance. There is even started teaching Brazilian Zouk with my girlfriend, so the local community could grow and that I could continue to enjoy my passion.
Brazilian zouk is a social dance. It means that it has to be danced with a partner. It originates from lambada, famous during the 80’s all over the world. It had to evolve and reinvent itself for political and cultural reasons into what we call today Brazilian zouk. This dance is visually impressive because of high effect head movements that come from the chest and relies on connection to be able to lead your partner through technical moves. (Meaning that it is more improvised that choreographed).
During my journey as an amateur dancer, I started going to festivals in france and Europe where the best dancers would gather. There, I had the opportunity to grow my passion and improve my skills. I even began competing in events called Jack n Jill and won 2 out of 4 competitions I took part in. There i met Chantal, a talented dancer that told me that she was looking for a partner to develop the local community of tenerife, Spain. She Told me about EYE and I was left with a decision to make. Would I dare to try and see if someone like me could ever become a professional dancer some day ? Do I have what it takes to become a full time teacher ? What could it be like to run a dance school ?
Since my girlfriend and I had already decided to move to brazil in January 2026, there wasn’t a better time to dare going for this experience that could bring me so many answers to the questions I have been asking myself for quite a while then.
As a human, this experience allows me to face my fears and doubts concerning the only passion i’ve ever had, which can only means individual growth at the end of the line.
As a professional, this experience should empower me to be able to project myself as a professional dancer and/or teacher in brazil and understand what is needed to make a living out of it.