Suingue do Samba - Dance Workshop with Jo

Part of the Melbourne Samba Encontro, this workshop is all about suingue, the groove, the swing, the feeling that brings samba to life

We’ll explore how to identify and differentiate sharp breaks versus groovier breaks in samba music, and how to respond to each one with intention, ginga, and freedom of movement.

Using real examples from Samba Enredos and music from Bahia, dancers will learn how to listen deeper, release rigidity, and let their bodies dance the music, not just the steps.

This class is about connection, musicality, and discovering your own groove within samba.

ABOUT YOUR TEACHER

With over 15 years of training and performance across the UK, Australia and Brazil, Jo's samba journey has been shaped by deep immersion in it's music, movement and culture. From her beginnings with Liverpool School of Samba UK in 2009 and becoming the first Rainha do Carnaval at the iconic Brazilica Festival, to performing in Rio Carnaval in 2023 and 2025 with multiple samba schools, her experience spans the stage, desfile and street.

Jo has performed samba no pé and axé on national TV, stage shows and major festivals and events across the UK and Australia, and was crowned 2025 Australasian Samba Queen competition 1st Princess, and Professional Choreography champion.

Now a dancer with the iconic Rhythm Brazil, and a Samba no Pé instructor at the Brazilian Cultural Centre with DaRua Lab, Jo is passionate about supporting dancers to move beyond steps by developing the ability to hear, feel and embody suingue and ginga, resulting in samba that is more intentional, grounded and expressive.

IMPORTANT INFO

Bring some water, comfortable dance clothes and footwear.

As workshop times are strictly 1 hour, they will start ON TIME, so please arrive early to check in.