Vancouver Samba School

Vancouver Samba School is founded and led by Yulia Terekh, a samba instructor and Capoeira martial artist who discovered Brazilian samba in 2011. She has performed in Latin and Afro-Brazilian shows across Canada and internationally, taken workshops with world-renowned dancers and professionals from Brazil, Europe, Latin and North America, and paraded multiple times in Afro-Brazilian Carnivals in Vancouver. Her background is extensive: she grew up as a gymnast in the USSR, learned and performed various dance styles between 2006 and 2010 (including hip-hop, belly dancing and modern), taught Burlesque style classes in Russia and Canada from 2009 to 2013, and has been performing Afro-Brazilian dances worldwide since 2013, including Samba no Pé, Maracatu, Coco de Roda, Afro, Maculele, Colheita and Ciranda. From 2015 to 2020 she also performed Latin dances internationally, including Salsa and Bachata.

The school offers Beginner and Intermediate samba classes to the public. It also provides performance opportunities and international trip opportunities to Samba Congresses and Samba Carnival in Rio de Janeiro for all students. The mission is to build a community of passionate samba dancers in Vancouver and BC, supporting anyone interested in learning about samba, Afro-Brazilian dances and Brazilian culture generally, and demonstrating that samba unites and is open for everyone.

Samba itself is deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian culture and traditions. The word originates from the Kimbundu language "semba" (umbigada), describing a choreographic move in which two people touch bellies as an invitation to dance. As the composer Caetano Veloso said, "Samba is the father of pleasure and the son of pain."

Beyond classes, Vancouver Samba School offers wedding and private event entertainment. They present dazzling and colorful Brazilian Samba dance shows with interactive elements, and offer a unique "Samba Queen Experience" package for brides and bridesmaids to join the dancing team and surprise guests with dance and charisma. They provide authentic costume rental and personalized choreography tailored to your wedding vision, and collaborate with talented musicians for live drumming accompaniment. The school has performed at numerous events including Carnival Del Sol, Canada Multicultural Art Expo, Baza Dance Studios showcases, and Robson Square summer socials.

Pricing for private events: "Samba Queen Experience" package starts at 500 CAD; costume rental starts at 100 CAD; choreography is 60 CAD per hour (excluding rental). Rates may vary depending on commute difficulty, extended hours, performance length, costume additions, additional rehearsals, studio rentals, and special music requests.

Classes are offered at Beginner and Intermediate levels in Brazilian samba. Online samba classes are available for purchase. The school is located at 677 Davie St, Vancouver.

Yulia Terekh is the founder and lead instructor. She says: "I enjoy the process, the dance, the class, and I fully resonate with the culture of samba and capoeira. I get inspired when seeing people's progress and smiles in classes, and I am excited to see my students on stage!"

Beginner classes are offered for those new to samba.