EducArte

Irish step dance with Kate Spanos
2025-03-12 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-26 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-02 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-09 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-16 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-23 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | CityDance at Parklawn, 11711 Parklawn Dr B, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
Deepen your skills in Irish dance with Kate Spanos! These Irish step dance classes will focus primarily on festival style technique, with an emphasis on strength, control, musicality, and stage presence. In a fun and non-competitive environment, you will learn new steps and choreographies that draw from various Irish step dance styles.
The goal of the class series is to promote a holistic understanding of Irish dance and develop strong performers, well-informed traditional dancers, and inspired creators.
The class is geared toward intermediate/advanced Irish dancers (ages 13+) and will include both soft shoe and hard shoe dancing. New choreography will be introduced every 2-3 weeks. If you are not sure if this level is right for you, please talk to Kate.
Semester registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome. 2-class packages are also available for those wishing to take both sean nós and step dance classes.

Class details

Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 15 – May 21 (18 classes; no class Mar 19)
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Location: CityDance at Parklawn in Rockville, MD
Cost: $342 semester registration for 18 classes (family discounts available; contact Kate), $24 drop-in

Brazilian Samba no Pé Dance Class
2025-03-13 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-03-20 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-03-27 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-04-03 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-04-10 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-04-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Maryland Youth Ballet, 926 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, 20910, United States
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.
Classes are taught by Mariana Triginelli, who was born and raised in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and has been immersed in samba since the age of six. Her love for samba and Brazilian Carnival runs deep, fueling her lifelong passion for dance. Over the years, she has refined her skills through workshops with renowned samba instructors, including Natalia Moreno and Preta Nascimento. Mariana brings her vibrant energy and cultural pride to every class, making samba not just a dance, but an exciting and transformative experience for her students.
EducArte 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, if they choose to.

Registration:
Register for the full semester (January 16 – June 5) or a 4-week or 6-week session, or purchase a drop-in. Registration is also available at the door.
Register Now
Questions about payments or registration? Contact us.

EducArte at Levine: Brazilian Bateria Samba Drumming Class
2025-03-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-20 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-27 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-03 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-10 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Levine Music (Silver Spring campus), 900 Wayne Ave 2nd floor, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, United States
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 are 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.
Please see our online bateria demonstration videos here.

Registration
Semester tuition and drop-in classes are available.
Questions about payments or registration? Contact Levine student services at sservices@levinemusic.org or (202) 686.8000.

Brazilian Arts Academy
2025-03-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-29 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Montgomery College Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
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A Academia de Artes Brasileiras da EducArte é um programa semanal de aulas de musicalização para jovens e famílias brasileiras e brasileiro-americanas que moram no Condado de Montgomery e na área metropolitana de Washington DC. Esta iniciativa educacional única oferece aulas de música ministradas em Língua de Herança Portuguesa. O programa visa desenvolver a autoestima, criatividade e curiosidade dos alunos, ao mesmo tempo em que promove o português como língua de herança e consolida o vínculo das crianças com seu país de origem, Brasil.
A Academia de Artes Brasileiras é elaborada para alunos de 8 a 14 anos aprenderem, reterem e praticarem a língua portuguesa brasileira através da música brasileira e das artes culturais. Os alunos terão experiência prática com instrumentos musicais e ritmos brasileiros e aprenderão canções culturalmente relevantes de estimados compositores brasileiros.
A aula acontece semanalmente de 1° de março a 5 de abril aos sábados, das 11h às 12h, no campus de Rockville do Montgomery College. É necessária inscrição por semestre.
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EducArte’s Brazilian Arts Academy is a weekly cultural arts program designed for Brazilian and Brazilian American youth and families living in Montgomery County and the Greater Washington DC area. This unique educational initiative offers music classes taught in Portuguese Heritage Language. The program aims to build students’ self-esteem, creativity, and curiosity, and celebrate ties to their country of origin, Brazil.
Brazilian Arts Academy is crafted for students aged 8 to 13 to learn, retain, and practice Brazilian Portuguese language through Brazilian music and cultural arts. Students have hands-on experience with Brazilian musical instruments and rhythms and learn culturally relevant songs by esteemed Brazilian composers and songwriters.
The class meets weekly from March 1 to April 5 on Saturdays at 11AM-12PM at Montgomery College’s Rockville campus. Semester registration is required.

Grupo Fundo de Quintal at Black Cat (DC)
2025-03-19 19:30 | Black Cat, 1811 14th St NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
Buy Tickets »🇧🇷
É com muito orgulho que a produtora EducArte traz para Washington DC, capital dos Estados Unidos, o grupo Fundo de Quintal, a banda mais importante de samba de todos os tempos. Formado no Rio de Janeiro na década de 1970, o grupo surgiu a partir das rodas de samba do bloco carnavalesco Cacique de Ramos, agremiação criada por Bira Presidente, Ubirany e Sereno em 1961. Fundo de Quintal tornou-se ao longo dos anos uma das maiores referências do gênero, em especial no pagode, vertente a qual o grupo se tornou o seu grande paradigma.
Com 45 anos de sucesso na Música Popular Brasileira (MPB), não é à toa que ele é reconhecidamente o grupo do gênero mais premiado e respeitado da história. A vitalidade e a longevidade do Fundo de Quintal não tem segredo e a receita é simples: generosidade musical. Ele é, orgulhosamente, o berço de Jorge Aragão, Sombrinha, Almir Guineto, Arlindo Cruz, Walter Sete Cordas, Cleber Augusto, Neoci, Mário Sérgio, Ronaldinho e Ubirany—verdadeiros padrinhos das gerações de futuros sambistas. Todo sambista é um pouco Fundo de Quintal.
O tempero desta receita é a assinatura inconfundível do grupo. Na primeira batida do tantã, do repique de mão e do pandeiro, todo mundo já sabe que vai ouvir samba da mais alta qualidade.
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Brazilian arts presenter EducArte welcomes Brazil’s most important samba band of all time: Grupo Fundo de Quintal (Backyard Group). Performing for the first time in the DC region, Fundo de Quintal is the most awarded and respected group in the history of samba pagode. They have defined the genre and created instruments that are now essential to the samba pagode, creating their signature sound that includes cavaco-banjo, tantã, and repique de mão.
Emerging from the samba community of the carnival bloco/ensemble Cacique de Ramos, the seminal Brazilian samba group formed in Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s. After 45 years of success in Brazilian Popular Music (MPB), they not only represent the best in samba but have also crossed over to conquer the national Brazilian music scene.
Fundo de Quintal includes a who’s who of the samba icons, having launched the careers of Jorge Aragão, Sombrinha, Almir Guineto, Arlindo Cruz, Walter Sete Cordas, Cleber Augusto, Neoci, Mário Sérgio, Ronaldinho, and Ubirany—all godfathers of generations of samba musicians. Every samba musician today has a bit of Fundo de Quintal in them.

Event details

Date/time: Wednesday, March 19; doors open at 7:30 p.m.; estimated show duration is 1.5 hours but is subject to artist discretion
Location: Black Cat, 1811 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Tickets: General admission (standing) – $40 in advance, $50 at the door; non-refundable, all sales are final
Ages: All ages are welcome
Parking/transportation: Reserve parking through SpotHero; closest Metro stop is the U Street/Cardozo/African-American Civil War Memorial station (green line)

Tickets are sold through the Black Cat website. Click here for information about ticketing and venue policies.

Sarau de Samba at Glen Echo Park
2025-03-23 14:00 - 17:00 | Ballroom Back Room at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, 20812, United States
Buy Tickets »
“Vem Pra Perto da Gente Sambar!” (Come Samba With Us!) — Luiz Carlos Da Vila
🇺🇸
Experience the exuberant and community-centered tradition of samba at EducArte’s Sarau de Samba, a monthly celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture in the heart of the DMV. Renowned local Brazilian performers Pablo Regis, André Coelho, and Mariana Triginelli lead the Rio de Janeiro style music and dance event. Samba is an interactive experience and we invite you to join the sarau de samba.
Our special guest in March is Cissa Paz.
Set in the historic Glen Echo Park, Sarau de Samba features a dynamic ensemble of skilled musicians and dancers, showcasing the diverse rhythms of samba, from Golden Age classics and choro to modern pagode and high-energy carnival beats. More than just a performance, this event invites attendees to become part of the music, with opportunities to dance, sing, and even play instruments alongside the professionals. Each session starts with a beginner dance lesson. The event is open to people of any skill level, no partner or instruments required.
Sarau de Samba is presented by the region’s premier Brazilian performing arts presenter EducArte in partnership with Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. Glen Echo Park is a family friendly venue and park that offers free parking and is easily accessible by public transportation. Food and drink are for sale. This family-friendly event offers a welcoming space for all ages and backgrounds to come together.
Join us monthly for an afternoon of rhythm, dance, and community. Sarau de Samba isn’t just an event; it’s a living, breathing celebration of Brazilian identity and the unifying power of music. Don’t miss this chance to experience the authentic spirit of Brazil right here in Maryland!
🇧🇷
A EducArte lhe convida para nosso Sarau de Samba, uma roda de samba mensal que celebra a rica tradição do samba que acontece no coração da região do DMV. A roda é comandada pelos músicos Pablo Regis e André Coelho e dançarina Mariana Triginelli. O samba é uma mágica manifestação popular e contamos com você.
A nossa artista convidada em março é Cissa Paz.
Realizado no histórico centro cultural Glen Echo Park, o Sarau de Samba reúne músicos, dançarinos e o público num ambiente amistoso e contagiante. O evento é aberto a pessoas de qualquer nível de habilidade, sem necessidade de trazer um parceiro de dança ou instrumentos.
Sarau de Samba é apresentado pela produtora EducArte em parceria com o Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. O Glen Echo Park é um parque histórico e um ambiente excelente para famílias. Glen Echo Park oferece estacionamento gratuito e é de fácil acesso por transporte público. Comidas e bebidas estão à venda.
Junte-se a nós mensalmente para uma tarde de música, dança e comunidade que celebra nossas tradições e o poder da música em nos unir.
Event details:

Location: Ballroom Back Room at Glen Echo Park
Tickets: $15 adults (pay now or at the door), $10 teens / $5 children under 12 (pay at the door)
Schedule: 2 p.m. beginner dance lesson; 2:30-5:00 p.m. live music
Ages: All ages are welcome
Parking: A free parking lot for Glen Echo Park is located just off MacArthur Boulevard on Oxford Road (5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo, MD 20812), across from the Glen Echo Shopping Center. From the parking lot, follow the foot-bridge across the Minnehaha Creek to enter the Park.
Public transportation: See options here.
Accessibility: Glen Echo Park has plenty of accessible parking spots available at both the main parking lot and the upper parking lot off of MacArthur Boulevard. From either parking lot, the park is wheelchair and walker accessible. More information on accessible parking is available here. All restrooms at Glen Echo Park are accessible, including the non-gendered and family restrooms located on the second floor of the Arcade building. We make accommodations so that all can participate in our event. The dance lesson and music-making parts of our program are accessible to those in wheelchairs and with physical disabilities.
Other: If you are sensitive to loud music, please consider bringing ear plugs.

This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

Sean nós Irish dance with Kate Spanos
2025-03-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-02 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-09 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-23 18:30 - 19:30 | CityDance at Parklawn, 11711 Parklawn Dr B, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
Deepen your musicality and make some noise with Kate Spanos! This sean nós dance class for beginner dancers (all are welcome!) introduces this musical and expressive Irish dance style. Sean nós, meaning “old style” in Irish, originates from the Connemara region of Ireland and is characterized by its improvisational nature and close connection to the music. In this class, students will learn:

The fundamental techniques of sean nós, including close-to-the-floor stepping and relaxed upper body
Basic improvisation skills to develop one’s own style and percussive voice
How to develop a playful and creative conversation with the music, musicians, and other dancers through this form

The class is geared toward beginner dancers (ages 13+). Leather-soled (non-stick) shoes are recommended. If you are not sure if this class is right for you, please talk to Kate.
Semester registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome.

Class details

Dates: Wednesdays, Jan 15 – May 21 (18 classes; no class Mar 19)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: CityDance at Parklawn in Rockville, MD
Cost: $342 semester registration for 18 classes (family discounts available; contact Kate), $24 drop-in

Sarau de Samba at Glen Echo Park
2025-04-13 14:00 - 17:00 | Ballroom Back Room at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, 20812, United States
Buy Tickets »
“Vem Pra Perto da Gente Sambar!” (Come Samba With Us!) — Luiz Carlos Da Vila
🇺🇸
Experience the exuberant and community-centered tradition of samba at EducArte’s Sarau de Samba, a monthly celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture in the heart of the DMV. Renowned local Brazilian performers Pablo Regis, André Coelho, and Mariana Triginelli lead the Rio de Janeiro style music and dance event. Samba is an interactive experience and we invite you to join the sarau de samba.
Our special guest in April is Rose Moraes.
Set in the historic Glen Echo Park, Sarau de Samba features a dynamic ensemble of skilled musicians and dancers, showcasing the diverse rhythms of samba, from Golden Age classics and choro to modern pagode and high-energy carnival beats. More than just a performance, this event invites attendees to become part of the music, with opportunities to dance, sing, and even play instruments alongside the professionals. Each session starts with a beginner dance lesson. The event is open to people of any skill level, no partner or instruments required.
Sarau de Samba is presented by the region’s premier Brazilian performing arts presenter EducArte in partnership with Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. Glen Echo Park is a family friendly venue and park that offers free parking and is easily accessible by public transportation. Food and drink are for sale. This family-friendly event offers a welcoming space for all ages and backgrounds to come together.
Join us monthly for an afternoon of rhythm, dance, and community. Sarau de Samba isn’t just an event; it’s a living, breathing celebration of Brazilian identity and the unifying power of music. Don’t miss this chance to experience the authentic spirit of Brazil right here in Maryland!
🇧🇷
A EducArte lhe convida para nosso Sarau de Samba, uma roda de samba mensal que celebra a rica tradição do samba que acontece no coração da região do DMV. A roda é comandada pelos músicos Pablo Regis e André Coelho e dançarina Mariana Triginelli. O samba é uma mágica manifestação popular e contamos com você.
A nossa artista convidada em abril é Rose Moraes.
Realizado no histórico centro cultural Glen Echo Park, o Sarau de Samba reúne músicos, dançarinos e o público num ambiente amistoso e contagiante. O evento é aberto a pessoas de qualquer nível de habilidade, sem necessidade de trazer um parceiro de dança ou instrumentos.
Sarau de Samba é apresentado pela produtora EducArte em parceria com o Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. O Glen Echo Park é um parque histórico e um ambiente excelente para famílias. Glen Echo Park oferece estacionamento gratuito e é de fácil acesso por transporte público. Comidas e bebidas estão à venda.
Junte-se a nós mensalmente para uma tarde de música, dança e comunidade que celebra nossas tradições e o poder da música em nos unir.
Event details:

Location: Ballroom Back Room at Glen Echo Park
Tickets: $15 adults (pay now or at the door), $10 teens / $5 children under 12 (pay at the door)
Schedule: 2 p.m. beginner dance lesson; 2:30-5:00 p.m. live music
Ages: All ages are welcome
Parking: A free parking lot for Glen Echo Park is located just off MacArthur Boulevard on Oxford Road (5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo, MD 20812), across from the Glen Echo Shopping Center. From the parking lot, follow the foot-bridge across the Minnehaha Creek to enter the Park.
Public transportation: See options here.
Accessibility: Glen Echo Park has plenty of accessible parking spots available at both the main parking lot and the upper parking lot off of MacArthur Boulevard. From either parking lot, the park is wheelchair and walker accessible. More information on accessible parking is available here. All restrooms at Glen Echo Park are accessible, including the non-gendered and family restrooms located on the second floor of the Arcade building. We make accommodations so that all can participate in our event. The dance lesson and music-making parts of our program are accessible to those in wheelchairs and with physical disabilities.
Other: If you are sensitive to loud music, please consider bringing ear plugs.

This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
