Colorado Brazil Fest Workshops 2025

Afro-Brazilian Workshops with Dandha Da Hora

Location: Dairy Arts Center (Boulder Ballet Studio 1)

Dairy Arts Center: 2590 Walnut Street Boulder, CO 80302

Afro-Brazilian Percussion Workshop – (Aug 10 Sun, 10:30AM-12:00PM)

Dandha’s Afro-Brazilian Percussion workshop invites students into the powerful world of Afro-Brazilian rhythms with a master artist and cultural bearer. Drawing from her deep roots with Ilê Aiyê, Dandha teaches traditional rhythms of Samba Afro, samba reggae, and other Afro-Brazilian styles in an engaging, accessible way.

Bring afro-brazilian drums (Agogo, Conga, caixa, repique, surdos, timbal) if you have one, otherwise you can use drums provided at workshop.

Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop 1 – (Aug 10 Sun, 1:30PM-3:00PM)

Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop 2 – (Aug 13 Sun, 3:30PM-5:00PM)

Dandha’s Afro Brazilian Dance classes are an invitation to explore the rich world of Afro Brazilian Dance traditions with a gifted and dedicated teacher. Her classes focus on folkloric and Orixa-inspired dance, Samba Afro, and samba reggae, as well as other Brazilian dance styles and feature live drumming. Dandha’s classes welcome students of all levels and backgrounds – everyone will find challenge and inspiration in her dancing and teaching!

Dandha’s Bio:

Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Dandha Da Hora has been a member of Ilê Aiyê, one of Brazil’s most important musical and cultural institutions, since she was 6 years old. In her teaching, as well as in her performances, Dandha invokes the incredible spirit of Salvaldor, Bahia, Brazil and of Ilê Aiyê. A master dancer and dance teacher, as well as vocalist and percussionist, Dandha honors the incredible gifts of her culture every time she performs. As a lead dancer with Ilê Aiyê and one of the lead vocalists of music group SambaDá (based in Santa Cruz, CA), Dandha has shared the stage with Brazilian stars such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Daniela Mercury. She currently teaches classes in the San Francisco Bay Area, and gives workshops around the country, as well as performing with the band SambaDá.