Interested in performing with the samba school?

The Acadêmicos da Ópera has its own dance section that has grown and flourished since its inception 5 years ago. Dancers come from a variety of backgrounds and enjoy dancing and performing for audiences in their free time. With a repertory that includes samba, samba reggae and maracatu, our aim is to give our audience and community a wonderful performance that integrates the exciting elements of Brazilian music and dance.

Dancers are invited to join one of two groups depending on their level of experience and availability: the passistas and the ala.

 

Want to be a passista?

We welcome people with experience in samba or related dance styles to rehearse and perform with our "passista" group. The intake period for new dancers takes place in the spring and summer. From October to February, the group rehearses intensively in preparation for our annual Carnaval performances.

Interested dancers should have some dance experience and must be willing to commit to performing and rehearsing on a regular basis. Performing in the group is based on several factors including regular attendance, knowledge of the choreographies, ability to improvise, and a positive attitude.

 

Open call for dancers, movers and shakers! Come join the new "ala" dance section. No experience necessary!

The ala ("AH-lah", Portuguese for "wing") is a new component of the samba school, designed for dancers/movers/shakers who love to move to a funky beat and want to participate in parades and other large-scale events throughout the year.

 

For those who have never done any type of Brazilian dance but would like to try, now is the time to do it! For those looking to gain more experience in different styles of Brazilian dance, this is the group for you! Training is provided during rehearsals, where you practice alongside the drummers. In addition to our rehearsals, you can also take classes in samba and Brazilian street dance at Esquina Tango (see below).

 

Visit our Media section to learn more about what we do.

 

How to join:

For more information on joining either dance section, please email Elaine at elainesholton@gmail.com. Dancers usually rehearse alongside the drummers on Wednesday evenings at 7:30. Please note that the dancer schedule is not always the same as the drummer schedule, so dancers should be available via email for updates.

 

Interested in taking samba classes?

Brazilian samba classes are taught by Kaitlyn Jolly at Esquina Tango, 209 Pedernales, Austin, TX 78702. Basic and intermediate samba classes are available, along with classes in Brazilian street dance. See the class listing on the Esquina Tango website for full details.

These classes are open to everyone and also provide a great opportunity for those who want some extra training. Dancers are encouraged to attend these classes before or while attending rehearsals.

 

Learn more about samba schools and Carnaval in Rio

This great series of articles and photos from www.ipanema.com will give you a good overview of the different components of a samba school and the world-famous Carnaval parade in Rio's Sambodrome.