The London School of Samba is very proud of its teachers. They have very different and individual dance styles but are all key exponents of traditional Rio samba. Learning to dance with all of them will help you to achieve your own very individual style of dance as well as giving you an excellent and fun work out every week.

Rainha of the London School of Samba when she was 17, Mariana has performed with many of the leading Samba Schools in the UK and Europe. As well as being a very fine teacher and dancer, she is an actress training in physical theatre.

Sasha has an extensive background in dance but specialises in teaching and performing Samba. She has been performing with the LSS since 2001, was Rainha da Bateria in 2004 and currently holds the position of Musa. Sasha learnt Samba from some of the best dancers in Europe and as well as having energy and atmosphere, her classes seek to breakdown the structure and go beyond the mystique of Samba, making it accessible to everyone.

Mariana is an expert in Maracatu, Samba reggae, Coco and Samba and also dances with London Group Verde Vai. Highly trained in Brazil, Mariana has also performed internationally in Germany, Greece, Algeria. In Brazil she has worked as a fashion designer and performed as Float Highlight with GRES Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and performed with Caprichosos de Pilares and Porto da Pedra. In the UK she has worked for the BBC and performed in Glastonbury. She also runs childrens' cultural interchange projects.

With a Ballet background, Eliete has a degree in Dance and has been teaching dance for 26 years. She has lived in Japan where she performed with the Vereda Tropical Group for two years. She has also performed in France and Arabia. In the UK she has created a special samba-aerobics class which she teaches at health clubs across London.

Originally from Salvador, Jackson is currently living in London where he is performing in the musical, The Lion King. As well as being an ace sambista he is also an expert in Samba Reggae and the Orixas (traditional African tribally based dance) and Capoeira.

Another London School of Samba Rainha da Bateria, Samara has danced with many companies. She has a classical approach to samba and has performed in many groups and shows throughout the UK.

Jo is the Madrinha (Godmother) of the London School of Samba, much loved for her warm and smiling nature. Jo has played tamborim with the Bath and London Schools of Samba and started to learn to dance in 2002. She has performed as a dancer with the LSS for four years and has recently joined our dance teaching team.

Born in Rio de Janeiro-Brasil, Marta now lives in England. She is a professional choreographer, singer and dancer and has performed throughout Latin America, Europe and the USA (including Las Vegas and on Broadway) . She is an enthusiastic new addition to our teaching team.

In addition to the above do look out for our occasional guest teachers including Paula de Hollanda and Romero de Manguera.