Riquita Alta

Born in Benguela, Angola, in the early 1970s, Riquita is the youngest of four siblings with an Angolan mother and a Portuguese father. As Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, the ensuing civil war forced Riquita and her family to flee to Portugal, where they lived until she moved to London in 1989.

In Portugal, amidst the influx of Angolan refugees, the government inadvertently created immigrant communities where cultural heritage thrived through music, dance, and food. It was in this vibrant environment that Riquita's love for dance and music blossomed. The neighbourhood would gather for "Festas de Quintal" (backyard parties) every weekend, where dance and music were the heart of social life. Everyone danced together, including the children.

Back then, Kizomba music did not exist, but its precursor, Passada, was danced to music by artists like Bonga, Africa Tentação, Os Kiezos, Duo Ouro Negro, Bana, Elias Dias Kimuezu and Teta Lando.

In 1984, Riquita heard "Zouk La Se Sel Medikaman Nou Ni" by Kassav, sparking her lifelong passion for Retro Zouk. Zouk's influence on Angolan culture was immense, and Passada began to be danced almost exclusively to Zouk music. Riquita's return to Angola in 1986 deepened her understanding and passion for this dance style, where a life-long bond was formed and she honed her skills attending numerous parties & clubs. 

By the mid-1980s, with the arrival of more immigrants from Portuguese ex-colonies, the demand for dancing venues grew, leading to the opening of the first Kizomba clubs in Portugal. In addition to parties, Riquita danced at places like If Club, Maiombe, and Globo. During this period, artists like Eduardo Paim started blending Zouk with Angolan Semba, creating Kizomba music. 

Riquita's teaching journey began by chance in 1989, when she taught her reluctant best friend to dance Kizomba in one afternoon, igniting her passion for teaching. Moving to London later that year, she joined a small but growing PALOP community. Like in the early years in Portugal, all dancing was done in house parties. The first Kizomba club in London, Club 79 on Oxford Street, opened by Alex Gurgel, became a pivotal place for Riquita, where she won her first Kizomba competition in 1992. 

As Kizomba's popularity grew, so did the demand for classes. In 2004, recognising a gap in the market, Riquita partnered with Kwenda Lima to become the first Kizomba teachers in London. Many of her early students have since become successful teachers themselves. In 2009, Riquita and her then dance partner Guimas represented the UK in ÁfricaDançar.

Over her 30 year career, Riquita has become one of the most sought after and respected Kizomba teachers in the UK, known for her emphasis on strong foundational skills (basics & foundation), giving her a reputation as a Kizomba Purist. To her, being a Purist merely means that if one has a strong foundation, one becomes a better dancer... And the results speak for themselves. 

Riquita's passion for Kizomba is unmatched, and she has a love for sharing it with others. Her teaching method, known as "The Riquita Way", focuses on strong basics, ensuring her students become confident and skilled dancers. For Riquita, Kizomba is not just a dance–it's a way of life. Kizomba is a part of her soul. If you wish one thing for yourself today, wish that you get to learn and be touched by Kizomba... The RIQUITA WAY!!