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About Us

Welcome to Danse Très Xtrême Studio

We offer private and group Kizomba and Semba classes for all levels. Private lessons are the quickest most efficient way to learn as we go at your pace. Our lessons focus on the basics and get students ready for social dancing.

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Kizomba Dance

Kizomba refers to a musical genre and the dance that accompanies it, being part of...

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Join a group class or schedule a private lesson and begin discovering the joy of our different dance styles

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Events

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FREE Kizomba Class!

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FREE Kizomba Class!

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Kizomba Freestyle!!!

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Latin Party - The Rooftop

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7th Essencia Latin Night: Verano Eterno

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Nashua Multicultural Festival

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Free Kizomba Class!

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Maine Dance Battle

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Kizomba, Semba, Zouk, and Kompa Night

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KIZOMBA SEMBA ZOUK KOMPA DA BAMBA

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Kizomba - Semba - Kompa - Zouk - Afro House Party

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Kizomba and Semba Class Fundamentals with Matt & Olenka

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Salsa, Semba & Kizomba — Outdoors & Free at Westbrook Common

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Kizomba & Semba Class Fundamentals

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Podcast

We are so excited to share with you all our collaboration with Télé BandaTV for our new podcast in Portland, ME, where we will share stories, have discussions, and promote your business!

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Address

643-1 Forest Ave.
Portland, ME 04102

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Interviews will be conducted in English, French, Lingala, Spanish, and Portuguese

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Dance Battle

Dance Starts With A Feeling

Matt Hunter

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Krump Battle 2023

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Testimonials

What They say About Us?

Anne Lasher
Student

Wonderful Kizomba and Semba lessons with fun, welcoming instructors. Kizomba is smooth and connected while Semba is lively and joyful. Highly recommend these classes for anyone who loves to dance.

Karen Araujo
Student

I had the opportunity to attend a Kizomba class with Matt and Olenka, and it was truly an outstanding experience. They convey their knowledge with remarkable professionalism, passion, and a clear pedagogical approach that makes every detail easy to grasp. Their artistic quality, elegance, and dedication turn the class into not only a learning process but also an inspiring journey. Without a doubt, I highly recommend learning from these true masters of dance.

Jackie Brooks-Grzesnikowski
Student

I had a fantastic time at the Kizomba dance lesson in Portland, Maine, led by the wonderful instructors, Matt and Olenka. Despite the weather forcing us to move indoors, Matt and Olenka seamlessly adapted the lesson, creating a warm and welcoming environment. Their patience and teaching style made it easy for beginners like me to feel comfortable, and they thoughtfully paired us with experienced dancers to help us learn. The music was vibrant, the sense of community was uplifting, and the overall experience was unforgettable. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to dive into a fun, supportive dance experience!

Stephanie Salmi-Pepin
Student

I have lived in the Northwestern part of Maine for almost 15yrs. I found Kizomba through a music app and have been searching for the past 5 yrs to learn this style. Alas, Portland area provided this! I introduced myself to Olenka when I reached out by phone. Within a week, Matt and Olenka began a new session of Kizomba classes. I’ve only had 3 lessons so far, but I am loving every minute of it. They both are so patient to new beginners but also knowledgeable to answer my questions. Matt even took the time to share with me about the different styles of music and where they originated. As a dance educators myself, (of a different genre of classical dance), I very much appreciated this explanation and his passion to share this art. I highly recommend lessons with Matt and Olenka at any level of your dance journey!!

Anna Teresa Bilucaglia
Student

I had a great time learning Kizomba from Matt and Olenka. Both were professional, answered any questions I had, encouraging, and went at a pace that anyone can catch on. It was a lot of fun and I definitely recommend them!

A'vell DJ
Student

Matt and Olenka are easy to follow! they’re great instructors, Had the opportunity to be in one of their classes and it was well worth it, learned so much! Highly recommended!

Nancy B
Student

Matt and Olenka have been such a pleasure to work with in NYC. They share great information about the dance and its history. I look forward to welcoming them back to NYC soon!

Jason Henry
Student

Matt and Olenka are an awesome duo. They were very comprehensive and thorough with the basic moves. We learned both leaders and followers moves to understand the whole picture. I look forward to learning more from them. This is a very unique dance and very specialized in Maine.

Aubine Ntibandetse
Student

The kizomba class I took was fun and super interactive. The moves were easy to follow as well. If you are looking to learn kizomba or get better , you should definitely take that class.

Kevin Heath
Student

I had such a great time learning from both of them. They are so welcoming with clear instruction, they had me dancing a full song in no time!

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Blog & News

Our Latest News & Articles

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The difference between traditional Kizomba and Urban Kiz
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The Components of Urban Kiz
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The difference between Tarraxinha and Zouk or Kompa Dance
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About Company

Danse Très Xtrême is an art company created by Matt Carmelo Hunter and co-founder Olenka Rallis to bring the experience of dance and dance battles to the community.

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Kizomba

Kizomba is a smooth, romantic partner dance and music genre from Angola that grew out of Semba in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Here’s the essence:

• Origin: Angola, influenced by Semba’s structure but slowed down and infused with rhythms from Caribbean zouk (brought by the band Kassav’ to Africa).

• Music: Slower tempo than Semba, deep bass, and a smooth, flowing rhythm. Lyrics often focus on love, longing, and emotion.

• Dance: Close embrace, subtle hip movements, and a strong focus on leading and following through body connection rather than flashy steps. The walk in Kizomba is as important as the turns.

• Mood: More sensual and intimate than Semba. Think of it as storytelling through gentle, connected movement.

• Global spread: It became popular worldwide in the 2000s and is now danced at festivals, socials, and classes on every continent.

If Semba feels like an upbeat conversation full of laughter, Kizomba feels like a slow, intimate whisper between two people.

Semba

Semba is a lively, traditional music and dance style from Angola that is considered one of the roots of Kizomba.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Origin: Angola, especially popular from the 1950s onward. Its name comes from the word massemba, meaning “a touch of the bellies” — a dance move where partners lightly bump hips or bellies together.

• Music: Energetic, upbeat, and often driven by drums, bass, and guitar. The lyrics frequently tell stories — sometimes humorous, sometimes socially conscious.

• Dance: Partner-based but more playful and fast-paced than Kizomba. Dancers often mix in improvisations, spins, and playful breaks, while still keeping close connection.

• Cultural role: It’s danced at parties, street gatherings, and celebrations, and it reflects joy, humor, and storytelling in Angolan culture.

If Kizomba is the slow, romantic “conversation,” Semba is the cheerful, witty “banter” — both cousins, but with different moods.

Tarraxinha

Tarraxinha is a slow, intimate style of Kizomba dancing (and music) that focuses almost entirely on body connection and subtle movement rather than traveling steps.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Origin: Angola, emerging in the 1990s as DJs and musicians began experimenting with Kizomba music — stripping away many melodic instruments and leaving a heavy, minimal beat and bass line.

• Music: Slower, more percussive, with strong emphasis on rhythm over melody. Think deep, hypnotic, and almost “loop-like” in feel.

• Dance:

• Partners dance very close, often without much travel on the floor.

• Movements are mostly in the hips, torso, and ribcage — led through micro-signals.

• The follower’s hip isolations and weight shifts are often highlighted.

• Mood: Highly sensual, introspective, and connected — but still within the cultural context of Angolan dance, so it’s not about being sexual, it’s about musicality and connection.

If Semba is playful and Kizomba is romantic, Tarraxinha is like leaning in to share a secret and just breathing with the music.