Business Details
18 Years
experience
Authentic Brazilian Samba Dance Performances & Entertainment
Founded in 2008 by Brazilian-born choreographer Jonia McClenney, Raiz Brazil Dance has established itself as a premier ambassador of authentic Brazilian dance and culture. Our performances seamlessly blend traditional Brazilian rhythms like samba, axe, and frevo with contemporary techniques such as ballet, jazz, and hip hop, creating electrifying shows that captivate global audiences. With over 15 years of professional experience, we have performed at prestigious venues across California, Las Vegas, and international locations including Russia, China, and Thailand. Our company holds a unique distinction as the first to present Brazilian carnival culture through large-scale productions featuring up to 24 dancers, including headline performances at the Hollywood Bowl and Macy's stores. We specialize in immersive cultural experiences that combine technical precision with audience participation, ensuring unforgettable events for weddings, corporate functions, and festivals. Our team of internationally sourced dancers brings expertise in diverse Brazilian dance forms such as Samba de Gafieira, Maracatu, and Frevo, while maintaining strict safety standards for all performances.As recognized leaders in our field, we have produced award-winning productions and developed specialized training programs through our Raiz Brazil Performance Academy. Our commitment to cultural authenticity is demonstrated through collaborations with renowned artists like Sergio Mendes and Ozomatli Band, as well as our annual participation in major carnival celebrations. We maintain operational excellence through structured residency programs at prominent venues like the Conga Room Club and Brazilian steakhouses, while continuously expanding our artistic repertoire to include innovative fusions like our signature 'Carmen Miranda' tribute. Our proven track record of successful performances across five continents underscores our position as trusted professionals in the entertainment industry.
Services
Samba Show
Club Performances
Stage Performances
Private Dance Classes
Performance Academy
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of expertise in authentic Brazilian dance techniques
- Our performances feature diverse styles from Samba de Gafieira to Frevo
- We provide interactive audience participation experiences at events
- Our company has performed across five continents since 2008
- We maintain safety-certified professional dancers for all performances
Services
Samba Show
Our signature samba dance performances feature choreographed routines with up to 24 dancers, incorporating traditional Brazilian costumes and rhythms. These shows include audience interaction elements and photo opportunities, creating immersive carnival experiences for special events. The performances combine technical precision with cultural authenticity through expert execution of samba techniques developed over 15 years of professional practice.
Club Performances
We provide dynamic samba entertainment for nightclub settings, featuring brief performances with bottle service parties and stage presentations. Our club performances maintain safety standards while delivering energetic dance routines that enhance evening events. The service includes guest interaction opportunities and professional photography sessions with performers to create memorable experiences for patrons.
Stage Performances
Our stage performances showcase diverse Brazilian dance styles including Samba de Gafieira, Frevo, and Maracatu. These productions feature authentic choreography that highlights regional dance traditions from Brazil's Pernambuco and Bahia states. The performances incorporate specialized elements like our 'Carmen Miranda' tribute with fruit headdresses, demonstrating our commitment to cultural preservation through artistic expression.
Private Dance Classes
We offer specialized instruction in Brazilian dance techniques for individuals and groups. Our classes focus on samba performance training with high-heel choreography designed for stage presentation. The program maintains rigorous technical standards while accommodating various skill levels, preparing students for potential participation in our professional productions through structured training programs.
Performance Academy
Our academy provides comprehensive training in Brazilian performance techniques, emphasizing samba choreography and stage presentation. The program develops dancers' proficiency in traditional Brazilian styles while maintaining safety standards for professional performance. Admission includes access to specialized instruction methods refined through 15 years of company experience and opportunities for performance participation based on skill development.
People
Jonia McClenney
Founder/Artistic Director
Brazilian-born choreographer with 16 years of professional samba experience, founder of Raiz Brazil Dance since 2008. Holds multiple samba competition titles including Samba Queen USA 2016/17 and Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnival Queen 2014.
Diana Bohn
Seattle Director
Local director managing Raiz Brazil Seattle operations since August 2022, responsible for expanding the company's Pacific Northwest presence while maintaining artistic standards established in Los Angeles.
Edith Waddell
Principal Dancer
Professional dancer with Raiz Brazil Dance, specializing in Brazilian performance techniques and featured in multiple international tours and stage productions since joining the company.
Sayaka Pereira
Lead Performer
Experienced performer with expertise in traditional Brazilian dance forms, contributing to the company's signature style through technical proficiency in samba and related regional dance techniques.
Bruno Vasconcelos
Master Dancer
Senior dancer with specialized knowledge of Brazilian folk traditions, bringing authenticity to performances through expertise in regional styles like Maracatu and Frevo developed through professional experience.
Questions
What types of events do you perform at?
We perform at weddings, quinceaƱeras, corporate events, festivals, and private parties featuring authentic Brazilian dance entertainment.
Do you offer dance classes?
Yes, our Raiz Brazil Performance Academy offers samba performance training and maintains a waitlist for annual programs.
Are your dancers professionally trained?
All our dancers are experts in authentic Brazilian dance techniques with safety certifications for performance.
Can you perform internationally?
We have extensive international performance experience across five continents including Asia, Europe, and North America.
What styles of Brazilian dance do you specialize in?
We specialize in samba, axe, frevo, Samba de Gafieira, Maracatu, and other traditional Brazilian dance forms.
Videos