Samba Colorado Dance School & Company

Samba Colorado is Colorado's first Person of Global Majority (POGM) founded Brazilian dance school and company, established in 2013 by Kebrina Josefina De Jesús. The organisation is a grassroots arts venture devoted to fostering community education through Samba and African Brazilian dance tradition, music, storytelling, and arts education. You'll find classes taught by Kebrina and other Samba Colorado instructors in Denver and Littleton, with options to join online via Zoom. All levels of experience are welcomed.

Classes focus on Brazilian Samba and African Brazilian Dance. The Monday 6:00 pm–7:00 pm Brazilian Samba class meets in person at 2030 Oneida Street, Denver, for all levels. Sunday 11:00 am–12:00 pm African Brazilian Dance runs online. Private lessons and small group sessions are available in person and online for individuals or groups of all ages. You can also access Samba and drumming training as an ongoing member, with opportunities to join the Community Educational Programs and Travel Shows.

Kebrina Josefina De Jesús holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications and Theatre from Millersville University and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and Contemporary Performance from Naropa University. She brings over 30 years of theatre experience, 27 years as an actor, director, and performing artist, and 20 years of teaching expertise. She is a 500-hour Yoga & Mindfulness teacher and an Adjunct Professor at Colorado College teaching two originally curated courses. Her practice is grounded in the Silvestre Technique, learned through seven certifications of participation in Bahia, Brazil, and she studies under Master Teachers Rosangela Silvestre and Jorge Alabe. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

The school welcomes all ages, genders, abilities, races, body types, religions, cultures, and ethnicities, and actively positions itself as a proud ally of LGBTQ and POC communities. Beyond weekly classes, Samba Colorado offers workshops, private lessons, educational outreach to K–12th grade public and private schools, higher education teaching (previous locations include University of Colorado Boulder and University of Colorado Denver), event entertainment for corporate events, fundraisers, festivals, weddings, and team-building activities. Quarterly open auditions invite new dancers and musicians to join the Company and Ensemble. Work-trade and internship opportunities are available for college students and non-students.

Wear comfortable clothes and come barefoot or in sneakers or jazz shoes. Bring water. First-timers pay $15 (40% off regular drop-in price). All levels are encouraged; beginners are welcome. You can download and fill out the liability form before your first class to save time.