We are excited to announce our partnership with Levine Music to present EducArte’s samba percussion and dance classes at Levine’s Silver Spring campus in Montgomery County starting on January 18. Levine Music is the largest and most prestigious community music school in our region, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to add Brazil’s vibrant music and dance to their offerings.
About EducArte at Levine
Brazilian Bateria Percussion Ensemble
Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Have you been mesmerized by the energy and cohesion of the carnival street percussion groups of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? Join this weekly Brazilian bateria class to learn the fundamentals of samba percussion technique and repertoire. A bateria is the percussion ensemble driving the groove of the whole samba band.
EducArte’s percussion director and Rio de Janeiro native André Coelho leads the bateria classes. André has played in many carnival groups, such as Carmelitas, Céu na Terra, Cacique de Ramos, Orquestra Voadora, Prata Preta, and Tá Pirando. Classes are also taught by Levine faculty member Christopher Payne, a multi-faceted drummer and percussionist who fuses ethnic hand percussion, orchestral percussion, and drum set to create music across a multitude of genres.
EducArte at Levine welcomes all levels, from beginners to advanced, semi-professionals, and music teachers. No auditions required. The bateria class meets for 1.5 hours a week to work on technique and repertoire and to rehearse for group performances. All students will have the opportunity to perform periodically, if they choose to.
Brazilian Samba Dance Classes
Thursdays, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Samba is one of Brazil’s most recognized dance styles, full of energy and charisma! Join this weekly in-person samba dance class, which builds up the fundamentals of technique and groove, including samba steps, body isolations, and hip work. This class will prepare you to perform samba with a live music ensemble.
Ilheuma Zezeh is a renowned Brazilian samba teacher, choreographer, and professional performer. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Zezeh is a former carnival queen of the Unidos do Peruche samba school located in São Paulo. She has taught and danced professionally for over 30 years in a number of countries including Brazil, the United States, and elsewhere. Zezeh’s teaching philosophy explores mental and physical well-being, self expression, and positivity.
EducArte at Levine welcomes all levels, from beginners to advanced, semi-professionals, and dance instructors. No auditions required. The dance class meets for 1 hour a week to work on technique, repertoire, and performance. All students will have the opportunity to perform periodically with the EducArte at Levine percussion ensemble, if they choose to.