{"id":1388,"date":"2011-02-18T23:09:45","date_gmt":"2011-02-18T23:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/blog\/index.php\/"},"modified":"2024-03-14T05:30:56","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T05:30:56","slug":"teacher-biographies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/?page_id=1388","title":{"rendered":"London School of Samba Dance Teachers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_13599\" style=\"width: 721px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13599\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/13935338.jpg\" alt=\"London School of Samba Passitas dancers posing - learn to dance samba with our Samba Dance Teachers in London\" width=\"711\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/13935338.jpg 711w, https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/13935338-300x202.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13599\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Learn to dance samba with our fantastic Samba Dance Teachers in London<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If you are interested in samba dance classes in London, then you are in luck.\u00a0 At the London School of Samba, we have some of the best samba dance teachers in London.\u00a0 Our Sunday Rio samba dance classes are brilliant for beginners wanting to learn how to dance samba!<\/p>\n<h3>We offer beginners samba dance classes in London<\/h3>\n<p>Our Samba dance teachers are brilliant at Level 1 or beginners samba dance classes in London. They are perfect for anybody new to samba dance in London.\u00a0 You will learn the basic movements and steps, and our samba dance teachers are on hand to show you how it is done.<\/p>\n<p>This class from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/\">London School of Samba<\/a> is about having fun and getting out of your comfort zone. We have fantastic customer reviews from people who have attended the class.\u00a0 Click on this link to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/form.jotform.com\/211274674358360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Book your place<\/a> <\/strong>on the next available beginner&#8217;s samba dance class.<\/p>\n<h3>Intermediate level samba dance classes in London<\/h3>\n<p>If you love dancing samba and want to take it to the next level, then our level 2 intermediate samba dance class in London is fantastic! The class will focus on improving your technique, skill and stamina.\u00a0 Our samba dance teachers will help you to improve your hip movement and foot technique.<\/p>\n<p>The fantastic samba dance teachers will show you how to parade and how to perform on a stage.\u00a0 \u00a0If you are looking to improve, then this class is perfect for you. Click here to &gt;\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/form.jotform.com\/211274674358360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Book your place <\/a><\/strong>on the next available samba dance class.<\/p>\n<h3>London School of Samba Performance Group<\/h3>\n<p>The London School of Samba has an amazing number of very talented samba dance teachers at the school.\u00a0 We have an invite-only <a href=\"https:\/\/londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/classes\/join-our-performance-groups\/\">samba dance performance group<\/a> that is run by our samba dance teachers in Waterloo. The performance group participates in live shows and carnivals across the UK and Europe. Our samba dance teachers have created a close-knit community we have an emphasis on supporting each other as we develop our dance performances.<\/p>\n<p>As you can see our\u00a0samba dance teachers are a lot of fun, but they will work you hard!\u00a0 If you are looking to start samba dancing classes or improve your samba dance styling, then our samba dance teachers will be a perfect fit for you.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Orquidea\"><strong>Orquidea Lima<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Orquidea-Lima.jpg\" alt=\"Orquidea Lima\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orquidea fell in love with Samba as a child while watching the live broadcasts of the Rio Carnival on television in her native country of Portugal, staying up until early hours of the morning to marvel at the parade of her favourite Samba school G.R.E.S. Beija-Flor de Nil\u00f3polis.<\/p>\n<p>Orquidea started her Samba journey at the London School of Samba in 2008. In 2010 she won the LSS &#8216;Rainha da Bateria&#8217; competition and in 2012 was elected &#8216;Musa&#8217; by LSS members for the period of 2012 &#8211; 2014.<\/p>\n<p>She paraded in Rio Carnival representing G.R.E.S. Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and G.R.E.S. S\u00e3o Clemente as a Passista.<\/p>\n<p>With a formal training in Performing Arts, her international career has taken her to India, Hong Kong, Qatar, the Maldives, Nigeria and all over Europe. Regular performances include The International Samba Festival of Coburg (Germany) and the Notting Hill Carnival (London, UK).<\/p>\n<p>She has trained with the very best Samba teachers in the world, such as Carlinhos Salgueiro, Alex Coutinho, Bellinha Delfim and George Louzada.<\/p>\n<p>Orquidea started teaching and choreographing Samba at LSS in 2012. Also, teaching from beginners\u2019 level to advance for: The Brighton School of Samba, Beleza of Brighton, Abunda Escola de Samba (Gottemburg, Sweden), Vai Dance Art (Malmo, Sweden), Oslo Sambaskole (Norway), Imp\u00e9rio do Papagaio (Helsinki, Finland), Samba Carioca (Turku, Finland), Unidos de Hamburgo (Hamburg, Germany), Quershlager (Paderborn, Germany and Belezas do Brazil (Warsaw, Poland).<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Gladys\"><strong>Gladys Cavalcante<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/in\/gladys-cavalcante-79909813\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gladys Cavalcante<\/a> is a performer and choreographer from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, specialising in Brazilian Ballroom and Latin Dance. She began her training in 1993 in Brazilian Ballroom Dance, and has since travelled worldwide, reached the semi-finals of Britain\u2019s Got Talent 2010 and shared the prize for the Best Latin Dance Performers (with Douglas Gomes, one of her dance partners) at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thelukas.co.uk\/\">Latin UK Awards (LUKAS) in 2011<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Gladys trained at the Jaime Ar\u00f4xa Dance School, the most traditional Brazilian Ballroom Dance School. She is specialized in Brazilian dance styles such as Samba no Pe, Samba de Gafieira, Forro, Bolero, Lambazouk, Brazilian Zouk and Salsa.\u00a0 Gladys is known for being one of the best and fun samba dance teachers in London.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"Marta\"><strong>Marta Ribeiro Scott<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Marta-Scott.jpg\" alt=\"Marta Scott\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Marta Ribeiro Scott is a dancer and performer from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. In her career she has worked as a professional dancer and singer in Europe, Israel, and in the US,  performing in Las Vegas and on Broadway.<\/p>\n<p>Marta has been teaching Latin and Jazz Dances and Samba for 23 years in the UK and she has been the Director of the Marta Scott Dance Company in Brighton for 13 years.<\/p>\n<p>Marta has paraded and choreographed dance groups\/Alas at ten Notting Hill Carnivals with the London School of Samba.<\/p>\n<p>One of the highlights in her career was being the runner up in The Lukas Awards 2019 for the  \u201cOutstanding Female Dance Performer (Latin)\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>In Marta\u2019s words: \u201cDance has been the joy of my life for 46 years!<\/p>\n<p>I like to make people smile as it is my fuel to carry on \u2026 You\u2019re never too old to DANCE!! I love sharing Samba love when teaching at LSS in order to help new dancers to feel confident enough to parade at Notting hill Carnival!!! &#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Amy\"><strong>Ama Rouge<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Ama-Rouge.jpg\" alt=\"Ama Rouge\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Ama Rouge is a multidisciplinary artist with over 18 years of movement-centred experi- ence, a host, and model who brings her unique energy to all she does<\/p>\n<p>Outside of the UK Ama has trained in Afro Latin and Contemporary dance in Brasil and Cuba and has been dancing Samba since 2003. Over the years she has performed and paraded with many samba companies.<\/p>\n<p>A creative educator for over 14 years, she has taught and delivered for London School of Samba, Central School of Speech and Drama, Dance Umbrella, Greenwich Dance, Kineti- ka Bloco, Global Grooves and RAD Step into Dance, amongst others.<\/p>\n<p>Within Samba Ama likes to  bring in elements of her training in other styles &#8211; West African, Contemporary, House and Ballet to support dancers Samba no p\u00e9 development.<br \/>\nSometimes she will use other genres of music in class to underpin or further dancer\u2019s under- standing of movement technique or style. Always expect a sweaty and supportive vibe in her classes!<\/p>\n<p>Career highlights include; voiceover for Cannes XR, choreographing for the formal opening of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Selfridges EveryBODY campaign led by Wayne McGregor and captured by Norbert Schoerner, parading in 2008 Rio Carnaval and performing in the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony.<br \/>\nWhen Ama\u2019s not doing any of this you\u2019ll find her deep in a book, eating, cooking, hiding playfully in small spaces, practising yoga or learning to longboard.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Douglas\"><strong>Douglas Gomes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Douglas-Gomes.jpg\" alt=\"Douglas Gomes\" \/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Douglas Gomes, and I have always been passionate about dancing. It all started when I was just 16 years old in Brazil. I was lucky enough to attend a wonderful dance school called Bailar Danca de Salao in Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, where I fell in love with dance. I continued to pursue my passion by attending dance congresses in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best academies, including Carlinhos de Jesus, Jaime Aroxa, and Jimmy de Oliveira.<\/p>\n<p>As someone who learned dancing in a Ballroom School, I had to master many different styles such as Argentinian Tango, Salsa, Bachata, Lambada, Zouk, Chachacha, Samba de Gafieira, Forro, and Samba no pe.<\/p>\n<p>When I moved to London in 2005, dancing became a big part of my life. I had the pleasure of performing Brazilian Ballroom dance at some amazing nightclubs and I qualified in exercise to music and taught dance at various gyms and health clubs.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most memorable moments of my career was when I was cast to perform salsa on a cruise ship in the Caribbean (Cuba and the Dominican Republic) for Carnival UK cruises.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2006, I have been teaching samba at the London School of Samba, and I am proud to be one of the longest-serving male teachers here. I enjoy breaking down the steps and sharing the essence of the dance and the Portuguese language with the students.<\/p>\n<p>I hope to see you on the dance floor!<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Iuli\"><strong>Iuli Caroline<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Iuli-Caroline.jpg\" alt=\"Iuli Caroline\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Iuli Caroline was born in the countryside of S\u00e3o Paulo, the daughter of sambista parents. Her samba journey began at the age of 10 as Queen of the Bateria of a local samba school.<br \/>\nOver the years she rapidly acquired confidence and notability, raising the level of her samba no p\u00e9, becoming Queen of her town, Paul\u00ednia, and dancing with countless schools in S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/p>\n<p>Iuli has then taken her career outside of Brazil, sharing the culture, teaching and training in various Brazilian dance styles around the world.<br \/>\nAs of now, she has been teaching and performing samba in twelve different countries.<\/p>\n<p>Some highlights in her career as a teacher and performer are: Winner of the Second Place in the Dance category of the London Guide Awards 2022, as a Samba Instructor and producer of the main Samba Workshops in Europe.<br \/>\nNominated and recognized by her town, Paul\u00ednia, as representative of dance and culture.<\/p>\n<p>She is currently an instructor of samba at Brasil Samba Congress Internacional online and at Brasil Samba Congress Rio De Janeiro.<\/p>\n<p>Iuli is a teacher with a strong personality, plenty of positive energy to share and she brings years of training and performance experiences to her classes.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Michela\"><strong>Michela Di Felice<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Michela-Di-Felice.jpg\" alt=\"Michela Di Felice\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Michela Di Felice is a professional artist with more than 10 years of experience in the scene. She is known for her wide versatility in many styles (jazz, contemporary, street dances, dancehall, commercial, salsa, samba, afro styles, Bollywood and more).<\/p>\n<p>Her training started in Italy, then Paris and Bruxelles and it was influenced by Europe\u2019s top choreographers; she also studied in NY, L.A. and finally London where she joined one of the most influential street dance companies in the UK, Boy Blue Entertainment (Olivier Award winner).<\/p>\n<p>She stepped into the UK samba scene where she trained and gained a lot of experience working with top companies in London and abroad, she also trained with Brazil\u2019s finest teachers and experienced training BAILE FUNK in Rio\u2019s favela and developed her own fusion of samba and house styles.<\/p>\n<p>Her work experiences vary from music videos, live shows, TV, movies, theatre productions, fashion shows and corporate events as a dancer, assistant choreographer and choreographer.<\/p>\n<p>Some Credits: MOBO AWARDS Fuse ODG, Tinie Tempah, Deborah Cox, BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards, MTV\u2019s Plain Jane, Channel 4 Comedy Gala Show, Jaxx Jones \u201cSNACKS\u201d Tour, MTV \u201cPlain Jane\u201d, Films: \u201dLegends\u201d \u201cDoctor Strange 2\u201d, \u201cBAFTA\u2019s 2023\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>She started to teach early in her career and her vast teaching experience reflects the vibe of her classes: fun, knowledge and quality. She has been working closely with communities bringing carnival to the streets as she believes this is where her heart and purpose with dance lies \u2013 to help, empower and educate people while giving them a great time.<\/p>\n<p>She teaches students of all ages, in schools and private workshops. She choreographed UDM youth samba projects, performs with them and teaches samba to their passistas in preparation for their performances.<\/p>\n<p>Performed at 2019 Rio\u2019s Carnival with Imperio da Tijuca and 2022 Notting Hill Carnival with Baque de Axe\u2019.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nicolas Martins<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Nicolas-Martins.jpg\" alt=\"Nicolas Martins\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Nicolas Martins is a Brazilian dance teacher certified in Street Dance by JP move company of Dance and certified in samba by Passos da Zona Oeste, the project that works with Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and Unidos de Padre Miguel passistas.<\/p>\n<p>When living in Rio, Nicolas was a passista of Unidos de Padre Miguel. He moved  to London in 2021 where he teaches both Samba de malandro and female style Samba.<\/p>\n<p>In Nicolas\u2019 words: \u201cI think each body is unique, so for me one of the most important duty as a samba teacher is to provide for my students different ways to understand the movements and improve their body knowledge and consequently improving their samba dance journey.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"Samara\"><strong>Samara Reis<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13599 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Samara-Reis.jpg\" alt=\"Samara Reis\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A former LSS Rainha da Bateria, Samara is a dancer from S\u00e3o Paulo with a background in Brazilian ballroom dance such as Samba de Gafieira, Forro, Lambazouk and other latin dance styles such as Salsa and Merengue.<\/p>\n<p>She has a classical approach to samba with a focus on elegance and good posture. She has paraded in the S\u00e3o Paulo&#8217;s Carnival as a passista with Vai-Vai Samba School and has greatly performed in Europe and around the UK with many companies.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the highlights in her career are performing with Will Smith on the Ant and Dec Show, winning the 2008 Rainha da Bateria competition held at Coburg International Samba Festival, NME Awards 2009, Brit Awards 2011, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013, 2014 and 2015 as well as appearances in various advertisements and television shows.<\/p>\n<p>Samara has paraded with LSS numerous times at Notting Hill Carnival. In 2007, she choreographed the Comiss\u00e3o de Frente of LSS. In 2015, she was the winner of the Best Brazilian Dance Teacher Award at the Lukas Awards. Other works include teaching Zumba and water aerobics.<\/p>\n<p>Being passionate about dance, well-being and health, Samara was awarded a bachelor of science with honours Nutrition in 2020.<\/p>\n<h4>Other Guest Dance Teachers at London School of Samba<\/h4>\n<p>At the London School of Samba we are very lucky to have some amazing guest dance teachers pop in to teach samba dance in London.\u00a0 Here is short list of some amazing dance teachers in London.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Paula de Hollanda<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Monika Molnar<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Kamilah Turner<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Contact the London School of Samba<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019d like to come and teach for the London School of Samba please email CV with videos of you teaching and performing to lss.dance.lss@gmail.com<br \/>\nPlease note we schedule workshops\u00a0at least 3 months ahead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are interested in samba dance classes in London, then you are in luck.\u00a0 At the London School of Samba, we have some of the best samba dance teachers in London.\u00a0 Our Sunday Rio samba dance classes are brilliant for beginners wanting to learn how to dance samba! We offer beginners samba dance classes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"parent":11893,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<h4>Dance Teachers<\/h4><p><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/mariana-pinho-photo-by-mariana-whitehouse-smushed.jpg\" alt=\"dark haired woman leading a dance class\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Mariana Pinho<\/strong><\/p><div>Mariana is an expert in Maracatu, Orixas movement, Coco, Sambas (reggae, de roda, partido alto, and batucada) and used to dance with London group Verde Vai. Highly trained in Brazil, Mariana has performed internationally in Germany, Greece, France and Algeria. In Brazil, she has worked as a costume\/float designer and performed as a float highlight with GRES Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and performed with\u00a0Caprichosos de Pilares and Porto da Pedra. In the UK she has worked for the BBC, Young Vic, Cardboard Citizens and performed at Glastonbury, WOMAD, Tribe of Doris amongst many. As a dance teacher, choreographer, co-ordinator, performer, she also collaborated with Brazilian inspired groups in the UK such as Norwich Samba, Sol Samba, Eri Okan, Ilu Axe, Sambuka and became part of the LSS family in 2004. She also runs cultural tourism interchange projects, international production of brazilian artists and has her own award winning company, Gandaia Arts, which regularly runs carnival sector projects, including the companies resident group Maracatudo Mafua's project - Yamuna Yemanja, proposing a cultural dialogue between India and Brazil via kathak and maracatu.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/elietelia-araujo-dos-santos.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><\/div><div><strong>Eliete (Lia) Araujo dos Santos<\/strong><\/div><div>Eliete started dancing at the age of 4. With a background in classical ballet, tap, jazz, and belly dancing, Eliete has performed in many countries around the globe. Since moving to the UK, she has created her own style of class called Samba Aerobics, a mix of latin rhythms choreographed into\u00a0a high energy dance experience. She has also performed in numerous TV programmes and videoclips. Please wear heels for Eliete's level 2 classes.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/samara-reis.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Samara Reis<\/strong><\/div><div>A former London School of Samba Rainha da Bateria, Samara has danced with many companies. She has a classical approach to samba with a focus on elegance and good posture. Her 15 year career as a samba dancer has included highlights such as performing with Will Smith on the Ant and Dec Show, NME Awards 2009, Brit Awards 2011 and appearances in many advertisements and television shows.<br> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thelukas.co.uk\/awards#category=dance&award=24\">Winner of the Best Brazilian Dance Teacher Award at the 2015 Lukas Awards<\/a><\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/douglas-gomes-campos-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Douglas Gomes Campos<\/strong><\/div><div>Douglas Gomes is a dancer and choreographer from Uberlandia Minas Gerais and was trained as a dancer at Bailar Escola de Danca de Salao in Brazil where he also started teaching and performing professionally in 2004. In London since 2005, he initially danced for Yes! Brazil, a famous Brazilian entertainment dance group which has travelled to Europe, Asia and Africa promoting the Brazilian culture. Douglas has been teaching classes with the London School of Samba since 2006 and also works with a variety of other styles such as Samba de Gafieira, Forro\u2019, Lambada, Bolero, Line Dance, Salsa and Tango.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/mariana-whitehouse.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Mariana Whitehouse<\/strong><\/div><div>Rainha de Bateria of the London School of Samba when she was 17, Mariana has performed with many of the leading Samba Schools in the UK and Europe. Trained in physical theatre at London International School of Performing Arts, Mariana is a carnival arts practitioner with a particular interest in costume interpretation and street theatre. She has also choreographed for the London School of Samba's performance groups.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/leandro-brizad.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Leandro Beleza<br> <\/strong>Founder and Artistic Director of Beleza Brighton Samba Social Enterprise,\u00a0Brazilian Samba dance instructor and Choreographer.<\/div><div>Leandro has taught Samba, Axe\u2019, Samba no Pe\u2019 and Forro\u2019 as well as choreographing for festivals and government-run programmes in his native southern Brazil. The first lead Passista instructor at Brighton School of Samba, choreographer for Blue Touch Paper Carnival \u201cEmbaixadores da Alegria\u201d at Arts Parade 2012, Leandro has also been on the judging panel at the 2012 Ryde Arts Parade \u2013 Isle of Wight. He has been involved and worked\u00a0with London School of Samba in various roles; as a Passista in 2012, as lead choreographer of \"Ala Indio\" in 2013, Coburg Samba Festival (Germany) 2015 dance lead and currently due to lead ala India in 2016. Notably he was also a \u201cSamba de Gafieira\u201d dancer for the Rio Flag Handover Ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic Games.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/claudia-da-silva.jpg\" alt=\"dark haired woman leading a dance class\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Claudia\u00a0Da Silva<\/strong><\/div><div>Claudia is a performer and choreographer of Afro-Brazilian dance based in London. She moved from Portugal to Bristol in the UK in 2003, where she has been instrumental in creating a thriving Afro-Brazilian dance scene, teaching classes throughout the south-west, promoting regular workshops with international guest teachers, as well as leading her own performance company \u201cSamba Sereia\u201d. For 6 years she was the dance Director for Bristol School of Samba and a dance teacher at the Bristol Dance Centre.\u00a0Claudia's work focuses mainly on Samba Reggae, Samba de Roda, Samba No Pe (Rio style) and her own contemporary fusion called Afro-Samba. Her unique style blended with her own original choreographies always brings a challenging and unique class. Her relaxed and patient approach ensures that the students receive the confidence and encouragement to progress while enjoying the classes in a friendly environment.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/marta-ribeiro-scott.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Marta Ribeiro Scott<\/strong><\/div><div>Marta is a professional dancer and performer from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. She has paraded in the Rio Carnival as a passista with both Salgueiro and Tradicao Samba Schools, and has performed in Europe, the Middle-East and the USA (including Las Vegas and on Broadway, New York). As a qualified dance instructor, she has been teaching Samba, Latin and Jazz Dances in the UK for 13 years. She is the lead choreographer for the Brighton School of Samba, and has performed with and choreographed Alas for the London School of Samba's parades at Notting Hill Carnival a number of times. Marta also runs her own dance company (Marta Scott Dance Company) which has received many awards.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/gladys-cavalcante.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Gladys Cavalcante<\/strong><\/div><div>Gladys is a performer and choreographer from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, specialising in Brazilian Ballroom a\r\nnd Latin Dance. She began her training in 1993 in Brazilian Ballroom Dance, and has since travelled world wide, reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent 2010 and shared the prize for the Best Latin Dance Performers (with Douglas Gomes, one of her dance partners) at the Latin UK Awards (LUKAS) in 2011. Gladys trained at the Jaime Ar\u00f4xa Dance School, the most traditional Brazilian Ballroom Dance School. She is specialized in Brazilian dance styles such as Samba no Pe, Samba de Gafieira, Forro, Bolero, Lambazouk, Brazilian Zouk and Salsa.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 20px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/rosaria-gracia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong><a title=\"Click here to visit Rosaria's own website (opens in a new window)\" href=\"http:\/\/rosaria-gracia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Rosaria Gracia PhD<\/a><\/strong><\/div><div>Rosaria has been dancing, teaching and choreographing static and parade pieces in the UK since 1999. She has extensively performed in the UK and in International Festivals in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Cuba. She has had extensive training throughout the years in Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Flamenco and generic Hindu dance and Bollywood. She was Rainha de Bateria of the London School of Samba in 2001; choreographer of the Comissao de Frente of Paraiso School of Samba (2005 - 08); choreographer of the finale site and performer of Burning of the Clocks (Same Sky) (since 2008) and choreographer of the Kemptown Carnival parade (since 2011). She is currently the lead choreographer for Maracatu Cruzeiro do Sul, an Associate Lecturer at the Open University, Northbrook College and City College Brighton and Hove, and has taught at festivals and events such as WOMAD (Spain and UK), Sambeando (Spain) and Big Dance 2010 (South East Dance).\u00a0Rosaria is a certified Gyrotonics Instructor, Zumba Instructor and Bokwa Instructor.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/orquidea-lima-teaching-at-lss-lr.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Orquidea Lima<\/strong><\/div><div>Orquidea is a professional dancer and has been teaching samba since 2013. She is currently the Musa of the London School of Samba, and was Rainha da Bateria in 2010. Orquidea has performed internationally, parading in the Rio Carnival with our Madrinha samba school G.R.E.S. Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, at the 2011 Chinese New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong, for the Qatari Royal Family in Qatar 2013, and a number of times at the International Samba Festival held annually in Coburg, Germany, including winning the PITU Rainha da Bateria competition there in 2013. She performed at the London 2012 Olympics, and has paraded with LSS numerous times at Notting Hill Carnival, as well as choreographing the LSS Passista Ala in 2013.<br> She has experience in several other types of Latin dance and has trained in Jazz and Contemporary Dance as part of a Performing Arts course.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/Rosangela-Teacher-crop.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Rosangela Soledade<\/strong><\/div><div>Ros\u00e2ngela has been working in the dance\/movement field for her entire adult life.\u00a0 She was born and raised in Olinda, Brazil. At university, she studied Scenic Arts and trained as a\u00a0 performing arts teacher. As a dancer she worked for Bale Popular do Recife and Maracatu Na\u00e7\u00e3o Pernambuco-traditional dance and music group from northeast of Brazil. She also worked\u00a0 in various theatre productions. In 1992 she came to the UK,\u00a0 initially for temporary work as a dance teacher, however she ended up settling down here and continued to work as a professional dancer and choreographer. She founded her own dance company, took part in different groups productions as a guest dancer and leaded dance workshop for adults and children in Europe and UK including LSS. Following a back injury, she began attending Pilates classes which she found to be vital to her recovery. This inspired her to train and become a Pilates teacher.\u00a0Her passion for movement has led her further to become also a Group Exercise Instructor, Gyrokinesis and Yoga therapy Teacher. After a long break we welcome her back to LSS leading ala Greece in 2016.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/Henrique-Teacher-crop.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Henrique Tenorio<\/strong><\/div><div>(bio awaiting)<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Edmilson Souza<\/strong><\/div><div>(bio\/photo awaiting)<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div><img style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><strong>Irineu Nogueira<\/strong><\/div><div>(bio\/photo awaiting)<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px;\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/Chris-Bicourt.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><br> <small>Photo: Russell Fielding<\/small><\/div><div><strong>Chris do Funk<\/strong><br> If you want an impassioned and authentic glimpse into the backstreets of Rio and the euphoria of carnival then just talk to Chris Bicourt, aka \u201cChris do Funk\u201d. A specialist in samba culture and history, Chris\u2019s unique background (which includes 9 years of Capoeira, and 4 years leading tour groups around Brazil) has seen him work as a \u2018samba expert\u2019 for companies such as Nucleus Films and Red Bull, including being a commentator on the first ever live English broadcast of the Rio Carnival. With over 12 years as one of the few professional male samba dancers in the UK, he has performed at various high profile gigs including for the Royal Family of Qatar, and on the BBC, ITV and Channel 5. Chris has been heavily involved with London School of Samba since 2004 and\u00a0has proposed and helped develop several carnival themes. He's also been a trustee, director of Harmonia, head of the comms committee, a member of the design review panel for carnival and artistic director (\u2018carnavalesco\u2019) in 2010. He brings an element of theatre and improvisation to his classes which will transport you away from the grey London days and help you develop your own style and personality, as well as confidence, in samba dance.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 30px 0px 0px;\"><img src=\"\/wp-content\/gallery\/teacher-biographies\/Ella-Mesma.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"263\"><br> <small>Photo: Element Dance<\/small><\/div><div><strong>Ella Mesma<\/strong><br> Contemporary, B-Girl, dancing Salsa and Samba since 2000, her dream is to put real high-level Latin Dance in the Theatre. Performance experiences include Russell Maliphant Company, Guarini Dance Company, Southpaw Company, Olympics Opening Ceremony, Breakin\u2019 Convention, Adidas, Wendy Houston\u2019s \u2018Stupid Women\u2019 & Austin Shaw Productions.<br> Ella was selected as Passista for Rio Carnival (Algeria Da Zona Sul) in 2006 & was Rainha da Bateria for London School of Samba in 2008. She established Element Arts in 2007 and Ella Mesma Company in 2011. She also produces Roots of Rumba an annual Festival at Richmix, London.\u00a0Recent work \u2018Ladylike\u2019 was created in November 2015 with the support of Arts Council and Yorkshire Dance and Casa Festival International. In 2016\u00a0Ella Mesma was a Bench fellow (Tamsin Fitzgerald-2Faced Dance Company) and is Associate Choreographer at Dance City in Newcastle. Other works include Aj\u00e9, created in 2014, Ecdysis 2012 and Evol 2011.<\/div><div style=\"clear: both;\">\u00a0<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div>Other guest teachers also pop in when they can.<\/div><div><strong>Paula de Hollanda<\/strong><\/div><div><strong>Monika Molnar<\/strong><\/div><div><strong>Kamilah Turner<\/strong>\r\n<\/div><p>\u00a0<\/p><div>If you'd like to come and teach for us please email CV with videos of you teaching and performing to lss.dance.lss@gmail.com<br> Please note we schedule workshops\u00a0at least 3 months ahead.<\/div>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1388","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1388"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19435,"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1388\/revisions\/19435"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}