INSTRUCTORS

Renowned as a world leader in Brazilian dance education and performing arts, Sashya is the founding director of Escola de Samba Sydney and Rio Projekt. A powerhouse visionary, Sashya is an internationally acclaimed creative director, choreographer, educator and performing artist. She has a wealth of experience in Rio Carnaval’s top league as a Musa, Passista and ala director.

Jess is a well known and highly respected Samba performing artist, instructor and choreographer with a wealth of experience in the genre. She was one of only 12 female dancers selected for the prestigious Brasil Samba Congress World Champions 2019 in Rio and has paraded in Rio Carnaval multiple times as a Passista and Musa with top Samba schools.

Hailing from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Lais is a professional dancer, choreographer and instructor. With a captivating signature style, Lais specialises in Urban and Afro Urban dance. She has worked with some of the biggest names in Urban dance culture from Brazil and internationally. Lais shares her passionate for her culture and art through her work.

Geovanna is a professional dancer from Sao Paulo with extensive performance experience in Brazil, Australia and internationally. Trained in a range of dance genres, she is versatile and dynamic performing artist and instructor. Passionate about Samba and her culture, Geo spent time training in Rio and paraded as a Musa in Rio Carnaval.

Hailing from Colombian and Peruvian heritage, Natasha is a professional dancer with over 20 years experience in genres including Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Ballroom, Latin and Salsa. As a Samba dancer, she is a dynamic performing artist and passista in Rio Carnaval with the renowned Samba schools Academicos do Salgueiro and Unidos de Bangu

Born and raised in São Paulo, Murillo is a gifted and magnetic Brazilian artist. Growing up dancing on the streets of the communities, music and dance courses through his veins. After moving to Australia, Murillo pursed dance professionally and has performed in major stage shows and events. He exudes pure heart and soul in every performance and class.

Sky is a classically trained dancer and accomplished Samba artist and instructor. She has extensive experience teaching, choreographing and performing Samba in Australia and has paraded as a Passista for well known schools in Rio Carnaval. Sky is known for her technical prowess, precision, versatility and infectious personality as an instructor and performing artist.

Eleni is a professional full time dance artist and instructor. With Bellydance as her first speciality, Eleni is also an established and well respected Samba dancer and instructor with significant experience parading as a Passista for top schools in Rio Carnaval. She has a great passion and dedication to Samba culture and is the coach of our student Samba team, The Sambinhas.

Chima is a professional dancer, educator, pilates instructor and model. She is graduate of the Ailey School (NYC) and accomplished in a host of modern, commercial, Afrocentric, Latin and Brazilian dance genres. A majestic and multi-taltented artist, Chima has performed in several major theatre productions and events and has also paraded as a Passista in Rio Carnaval.

Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Raline has always had a passion for dance. She grew up dancing Funk, Pagode, and Axe as part of life. She went on to train intensively in Brazilian Funk since living in Australia and developed a deeper passion for Brazilian performing arts. Raline is a captivating performer on stage and a passionate instructor.

Dynamic and multi-talented performing artist with 20 years of experience in multiple dance styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Commercial, Heels and Acrobatics. With Samoan and Australian heritage, Kirita trained and completed the International Student Visa Program at Broadway Dance Centre in New York.

Karla is a classical trained professional dancer with significant national and international and performance credits as a commercial dancer. Well known for her forte in Brazilian Funk, she is a dynamic and diversely talented performing artist, instructor and choreographer. Karla has also paraded as a Musa and Passista with top schools in Rio Carnaval.

Colombian born Luisa is a passionate and dedicated Samba dancer, performing artist and instructor. She has spent extended periods of time in Brazil immersing herself in the culture and training with Samba masters. She has paraded in Rio Carnaval multiple times as a Musa and Passista for top Samba schools. Luisa’s pure love for Samba is evident in all her work.

Aleks is a professional and versatile dancer and instructor from Paraná in Brazil. Classically trained in a variety of dance genres, Aleks has solid experience performing both commercial and Brazilian dance shows in Brazil and internationally. A graduate of Brent Street Academy in Sydney, Aleks brings his sharp technique and exuberant vibe to all his performances and classes.

Karolina is a professional, classically trained dancer and instructor with 20 years of experience in Ballet. With a strong passion for Samba, Karolina has been dedicated to training and immersion in Brazilian culture in Australia and Brazil for many years. She has performed in several Brazilian shows and paraded as a Passista in Rio Carnaval.

Sydney-based dancer and choreographer at the forefront of exploring intercultural dance practices as part of the contemporary dance space in Australia. Born in Ghana, West Africa Lucky’s dance and choreographic work draws on a rich history of traditional rhythm and dance whilst engaging with contemporary movement practices and contemporary art forms.