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Instructor/Choreographer-Jennifer Bruce

Jennifer is the Founder and Organizer of Fogo Brasil Arts and Entertainment. She grew up dancing jazz, ballet and tap, but her love for dance grew stronger as an adult when she was introduced to Brasilian Dance in 2007. She quickly became a principle dancer for San Francisco based Samba and Cabaret groups until she moved to Atlanta in 2012, where she was a principle dancer for local Samba groups prior to beginning her teaching journey in 2015. She is passionate about maintaining the integrity of Brasilian Arts in the Atlanta area and ensuring upcoming dancers understand the importance of samba's history and roots and how they relate to today's world of S A M B A!

Principle Dancer - Brencia Bienville

Brencia began her dance career as an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader and line captain where she graced the sidelines from 2002-2008. Her samba journey began in 2008 by an inspired trip to Brazil which led her to join and perform nationally for Jazz Baptiste productions. She continued her samba career as a principle dancer for Viva Brazil prior to becoming one of the founding members of Fogo Brasil in 2017. As a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Brencia continues to exercise her love for community and enjoys serving as a choreographer for Chapter's and Sub-Debutante's. Brencia continues to hardwire her passion for samba by training with World-renowned instructors.

Instructor/Choreographer - Tanya Leake

Tanya has been dancing and performing since the age of 6. Versed in various styles of dance, Tanya even revolves her wellness business, emBODY Well around dance. In 2002, she bagan studying Brasilain dance with Carlos Aceituno in the San Francisco Bay Area and fell in love with it. She has been studying and performing Brasilian dance ever since. Over the course of the next 10+ years, she became a principal choreographer, instructor and dancer with the SF Carnaval champion Brazilian performing arts group, Fogo Na Ropa, which Carlos founded. Dancing, teaching and performing samba in Atlanta since she arrived in 2014, she is also a founding member, instructor, choreographer and dancer with Fogo Brasil.

Choreographer/Principle Dancer-Dani Styles

While in University, Dani fell in love with Brazilian Music and began to travel all over the United States to study samba no pe, Afro-Brazilian dance and Orisha movement. After some years of study, she began her career as a samba dancer in 2012. Dani is a Muse of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro (Musa Internacional Destaque), affiliated with the samba school Renascer de Jacarepagua. As a Muse of Carnaval, a role very rarely afforded to Americans, Dani is a featured dancer during the televised carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To indulge her passion, Dani continues to study with master teachers and top choreographers from around the world to not only grow as a performer, but to spread the joy and energy of Brazilian samba.

Capoeira Director - Aldani Martinez

Aldani is incredibly passionate to work at the intersection of art and business. He has been involved in the Live Experience Design and Event Production industry since 2012, where he began as a capoeira performer and moved up the ranks developing experience in stage management, business development, marketing and operations. His performance experience includes traditional Brazilian cultural dances and martial arts, as well as stunt/fight choreography and fire performance specializing on the double sword apparatus.