Luy Cortes is a dynamic Brazilian samba performer, choreographer, and instructor with more than fifteen years of professional experience. Luy has graced stages and celebrations across the world, performing at hundreds of weddings, corporate galas, cultural festivals, parades, Carnival events, and community celebrations.
Dedicated not only to performance but also to service, Luy has shared the joy of samba through nonprofit collaborations—most notably teaching cancer survivors at Nueva Vida. Her generosity, combined with her artistry, makes her an instructor who inspires both confidence and connection in her students.
As the founder and director of Samba Passion, Luy has created, staged, and taught choreographies for dancers of all levels, from beginners discovering samba’s rhythms to seasoned performers refining their stage presence. She has also taught at prestigious institutions, including the University of Maryland, College Park, and has brought her knowledge to numerous dance studios.
On the world stage, Luy has paraded at the legendary Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí in Rio de Janeiro with the renowned samba school Em Cima Da Hora. Her commitment to excellence drives her to return to Rio annually, where she continues to deepen her training with samba masters such as Alex Coutinho, Carlinhos do Salgueiro, and others, ensuring her teaching remains rooted in authentic Brazilian tradition.
With her unmatched energy, cultural expertise, and passion for sharing samba’s spirit, Luy Cortes transforms every class into both a dance lesson and a celebration of life.