Samba Foundations

Build strong technique, confidence, and authentic movement in a supportive and inspiring community.

Whether you're stepping into samba for the first time or looking to build a solid technical foundation, our 13-week Samba Foundations program is designed to help you grow with intention. Through progressive weekly training, you'll develop coordination, musicality, body awareness, footwork, and the cultural understanding that brings samba to life.

Choose the level that best fits your experience, or continue your development by enrolling in both courses.

Fall 2026 Program

MONDAYS @ 180 SHAW ST.

September 14 – December 14, 2026

13-week program(No class on October 12.)

Beginner Foundations

6:30pm-7:30pm

Perfect for students who are new to samba or looking to build a strong technical foundation.

Early Bird: $360 (available until September 1)

Regular Registration:$385

Improver Foundations

7:45pm-9:00pm

Designed for students who have completed Beginner Foundations or have prior samba experience and are ready to deepen their technique, confidence, and performance quality.

Early Bird: $360 (available until September 1)

Regular Registration: $385

Bundle & Save

Continue your training by enrolling in both Beginner and Improver Foundations.

Early Bird Bundle: $680 (available until September 1)

Regular Bundle: $720

Payment Plans Available

We believe finances shouldn't be a barrier to quality dance education. Flexible payment plans are available to help make your training more accessible while allowing you to commit to your growth with confidence.

If you'd like to arrange a payment plan, please contact us before registering at info@dancemigration.com. We're happy to work with you to find an option that fits your needs.

What You'll Learn

• Authentic samba technique and movement principles

• Rhythm, timing, and musical interpretation

• Footwork, coordination, and body mechanics

• Posture, balance, and movement efficiency

• Confidence in freestyle and choreography

• Brazilian cultural foundations and traditions

Whether your goal is personal growth, performance, fitness, or a deeper connection to Brazilian culture, Samba Foundations provides the tools to help you move with confidence, authenticity, and joy.

Why Train with Dance Migration

Dance Migration is more than a place to learn samba—it's a place to grow as an artist, mover, and individual.

Our progressive training approach blends technical excellence with cultural education, helping students build a strong foundation while developing confidence, discipline, creativity, and a genuine connection to Brazilian traditions.

Many dancers begin in Samba Foundations and continue their journey into programs such as Studio to Stage, the Passista Program, and performance opportunities with Dance Migration.

Join the Journey

Whether you're taking your very first samba class or building toward performance, there's a place for you here.

Step into the rhythm. Discover your confidence. Begin your journey with Dance Migration.

Technique & Transitions

Tuesdays • September 22 – December 8

6:30–7:30 PM
SASS – 180 Shaw Street

Train the Foundations Behind Every Great Dancer

Technique & Transitions is designed for dancers who want to move with greater confidence, clarity, and control.

Rather than simply learning choreography, this class develops the technical foundations that allow movement to become stronger, more efficient, and more expressive. Through focused training, you'll build a deeper understanding of alignment, weight transfer, balance, turns, lines, coordination, musicality, and the mechanics that support fluid movement.

Inspired by the principles of classical ballet and contemporary dance, this program translates those essential foundations into training that directly supports Samba. You'll develop the body awareness and movement intelligence that helps every step feel more connected, stable, and intentional.

Whether you've struggled with transitions, balance, posture, or simply want to refine your dancing, this class provides the tools to help you progress with confidence.

Led by Abby Dunbar

Abby Dunbar has dedicated her life to the study of classical ballet, developing a deep understanding of technical training, alignment, strength, and movement quality. Combined with her experience in Samba and Brazilian dance, she brings together two disciplines that beautifully complement one another.

Her thoughtful teaching style makes technical concepts approachable, helping dancers understand not only what to do, but why movement works.

Throughout the 12-week program, you'll develop:

✨ Stronger alignment and posture

✨ Weight transfer and balance

✨ Turns, jumps, and travelling movement

✨ Cleaner transitions between steps

✨ Musicality and movement efficiency

✨ Greater confidence and body awareness

This class is ideal for dancers looking to strengthen their technical foundation while developing skills that translate directly into Samba performance and training.

Pricing

Early Bird: $330
Regular Rate: $355

Early Bird pricing available until September 1.

Tuesday Training Bundle

Train smarter by combining Technique & Transitions with Samba Strength: Drills & Restore.

Early Bird Bundle: $624
Regular Bundle: $660

Build technical precision, improve conditioning, and support your body with two complementary classes designed to help you dance stronger all season long.

Samba Strength: Drills & Restore

Tuesdays | September 22 – December 8, 2026

7:45–9:00 PM
180 Shaw Street (SASS)

Early Bird:$330
Regular Rate:$355
12-Week Program

Your body is your instrument. The stronger, more mobile, and more resilient it becomes, the more freedom you'll discover in your dance.

Samba Strength: Drills & Restore is a unique training program created specifically for samba dancers who want to improve their performance while learning how to care for their bodies for years to come. Combining functional strength training, samba-specific conditioning, mobility work, and restorative movement, this course helps you build the physical foundation needed to dance with confidence, endurance, and ease.

Throughout the program, you'll develop greater strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and body awareness while learning techniques that support recovery and injury prevention. Each class is designed to help you move more efficiently, train more intelligently, and create sustainable habits that enhance both your dancing and your overall well-being.

This course is led by two experienced professionals who bring complementary expertise to your training. Elizabeth Cardoso, a certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist, guides the conditioning and strength components of the class, while Paula Marin, who has over 25 years of experience as a Yoga and Pilates teacher, leads the restorative and mobility practices. Together, they offer a balanced approach that supports both performance and longevity.

Whether you're preparing for performances, looking to build greater confidence in your movement, or simply wanting to take better care of your body, this program will give you practical tools that you can carry into every class and every stage.

What You'll Explore

• Samba-specific conditioning and endurance

• Functional strength for dancers

• Mobility and flexibility training

• Core stability and balance

• Injury prevention strategies

• Restorative movement and recovery techniques

• Breathing and body awareness

• Sustainable practices for long-term physical health

Suitable for all levels of samba dancers.

Tuesday Training Bundle

Elevate your training with our Tuesday Training Bundle and enjoy preferred pricing when you register for both Tuesday programs.

Begin your evening with Technique & Transitions, where you'll strengthen the technical foundations of your samba through focused work on posture, balance, coordination, and movement quality. Then continue with Samba Strength: Drills & Restore, a complementary class designed to build strength, endurance, mobility, and recovery practices that support your body both in and beyond the studio.

Together, these two courses create a balanced training experience—helping you refine your technique while developing the physical resilience needed to dance with greater confidence, freedom, and longevity.

12-Week Bundle Pricing

• Early Bird: $624 (available until September 1)

• Regular Rate: $660

Save when you register for both Tuesday programs and experience the benefits of a complete, well-rounded training approach.

Performance & Precision

Intermediate / Advanced Samba Training

Train Beyond the Steps

There comes a point in every dancer's journey where simply attending class is no longer enough.

Growth requires consistency, focused training, and a deeper commitment to your craft.

Performance & Precision was created for dancers who are ready to refine their technique, strengthen their artistry, and train with the discipline of a professional dance company.

At Dance Migration, we believe that great dancers are developed through intentional practice, technical excellence, and a meaningful connection to the culture and artistry of Samba.

This program provides a focused environment where dancers can challenge themselves physically, artistically, and personally while building the confidence, precision, and performance quality that elevate their dancing to the next level.

The Dance Migration Approach

Performance & Precision is rooted in Dance Migration's unique training methodology—one that integrates technical excellence, cultural understanding, athletic conditioning, and artistic expression.

Led by Artistic Director Adrianna Yanuziello, whose career spans more than 18 years of international study, performance, and production in Brazilian dance, this program draws from the principles of classical ballet, contemporary dance, jazz, and Brazilian dance traditions studied at their source.

Rather than focusing solely on choreography, dancers develop a deeper understanding of movement through body awareness, musicality, transitions, dynamics, posture, efficiency, and expressive performance.

This holistic approach has supported dancers at every stage of their journey—from those with limited experience to performers appearing on professional stages with confidence, strength, and artistic presence.

What You'll Develop

Throughout the season, you'll have the opportunity to:

✨ Refine your Samba technique through focused drills and technical training

✨ Build strength, endurance, coordination, and resilience for demanding Samba performance

✨ Develop greater musicality, movement quality, and seamless transitions

✨ Improve posture, alignment, balance, and body awareness

✨ Strengthen your confidence through consistent, disciplined practice

✨ Deepen your understanding of Samba as both a cultural tradition and an expressive art form

✨ Train with the focus, commitment, and precision of a professional dance company

Alongside your technical growth, you'll become part of a supportive community of dedicated dancers who encourage one another to reach new levels of excellence throughout the season.

Who This Program Is For

This program is designed for dancers who already have a foundation in Samba and are ready to deepen their training.

It is ideal for dancers who:

• Have previous Samba experience and want to refine their technique

• Want to improve stamina, musicality, movement quality, and precision

• Are interested in developing stronger performance skills and stage presence

• Are participating in Studio to Stage and would benefit from additional technical training

• Are committed to consistent practice, artistic growth, and personal development

Dance Migration Presents

❄️ Performance & Precision

Intermediate / Advanced Samba Training

📅 Thursdays
September 17 – December 10, 2026

📍 Location
SASS
180 Shaw Street
Toronto

🕡 Time
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

💃 Instructor
Adrianna Yanuziello

Artistic Director • Dance Migration

Investment

🐣 Early Bird

Full Program
$455 CAD

Available until September 1, 2026

Regular Registration

Full Program
$495 CAD

Beginning September 2, 2026

Payment Plans

Flexible payment plans are available for dancers who would like to divide their tuition into manageable installments.

To request a payment plan, please contact:

info@dancemigration.com

Program Information

• Designed for dancers with previous Samba experience

• Enrollment is intentionally limited to create a focused and supportive training environment

• Payments are non-refundable

Instructor Absence

If the instructor must miss a class due to illness or an unforeseen circumstance, a make-up class will be scheduled.

Student Absence

Students are asked to notify the instructor if they will be absent.

Missed classes are not eligible for refunds, transfers, or make-up classes unless they qualify under the medical absence policy.

Medical Absence

If a student is unable to attend class for medical reasons, a valid doctor's note must be submitted within 48 hours of the missed class.

Once approved, the student will be eligible for one make-up class, to be scheduled within 30 days, subject to instructor approval and availability.

Medical documentation received after 48 hours cannot be accepted, and the missed class will be forfeited.

Step Into Your Next Level

Technical excellence is only one part of becoming a compelling performer.

True artistry is developed through consistent practice, curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to challenge yourself.

If you're ready to deepen your relationship with Samba, refine your technique, and grow within a community committed to excellence, Performance & Precision is your next step.

Join us this fall for a season dedicated to precision, artistry, transformation, and the joy of continual growth.

Afro-Brazilian Studies

Movement • Culture • Tradition

Saturdays | September 19 – December 12 @ Dovercourt House (2nd flr)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
13-Week Program

Early Bird: $870 (until September 1)
Regular Rate: $890

Discover the Roots of Afro-Brazilian Culture

Every movement carries a story. Within Afro-Brazilian traditions, dance is a living expression of history, ancestry, spirituality, resilience, celebration, and community.

Afro-Brazilian Studies is an immersive 13-week program that invites dancers to explore the cultural foundations of Brazilian movement through embodied practice, discussion, historical context, and shared learning.

Together, we will deepen our understanding of the traditions that continue to shape Brazilian dance today while cultivating a greater appreciation for the richness and complexity of Afro-Brazilian culture.

About Your Instructor

For nearly two decades, Adrianna Yanuziello has devoted her life's work to the study, practice, and sharing of Afro-Brazilian culture. Through long-standing relationships with masters, artists, and cultural communities across Brazil, she has built a bridge between Brazil and Canada—creating opportunities for cultural exchange, artistic collaboration, and meaningful education through dance.

Rooted in years of dedicated practice and continual learning, this program reflects her commitment to honouring these living traditions while sharing them with authenticity, respect, and care.

Throughout the Program, You Will

✨ Develop a deeper understanding of Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions through movement and study.

✨ Strengthen your relationship with rhythm, musicality, grounding, and embodied expression.

✨ Explore the historical, social, and cultural contexts that continue to influence Brazilian dance today.

✨ Engage in thoughtful discussion, reflection, and collective learning.

✨ Expand your artistic practice through a deeper connection to the traditions that inspire it.

What to Expect

Each Saturday combines movement practice, cultural discussion, historical context, and guided reflection, creating a learning environment that is both physically engaging and intellectually enriching.

Throughout the semester, we will explore a range of Afro-Brazilian traditions and their cultural significance, including movement practices, music, rhythm, symbolism, and the historical influences that continue to shape Brazilian arts today.

Areas of study may include:

• Orixá movement traditions

• Samba de Roda

• Samba Afro

• Samba Reggae

• Elements of Maracatu

• Music, rhythm, and cultural expression

• Historical and social context

• Guided discussion and reflection

As the weeks progress, students will develop a richer understanding of the traditions, values, and artistic practices that continue to inspire Brazilian artists and communities around the world.

Our Approach

At Dance Migration, we believe that cultural learning carries both privilege and responsibility.

Our approach is rooted in respect for the people, histories, and living traditions that have shaped Afro-Brazilian culture. While movement is an important part of our practice, it is only one expression of a much larger cultural landscape.

Through embodied learning, discussion, music, historical context, and shared reflection, we encourage students to approach these traditions with curiosity, humility, and appreciation. Our intention is not simply to teach movement, but to cultivate a deeper understanding of the cultural knowledge, values, and communities from which these practices emerge.

We recognize that these traditions are living, evolving, and deeply connected to the communities that continue to preserve them. Our role is to create a learning environment that honours their origins while encouraging thoughtful dialogue, personal growth, and meaningful cultural exchange.

Who Is This Program For?

This program welcomes dancers, educators, artists, and lifelong learners who are interested in expanding both their movement practice and their cultural understanding.

Whether you are a Dance Migration student, a professional performer, an educator, or someone with a genuine curiosity for Afro-Brazilian culture, this course offers an opportunity to engage with these traditions through an approach that values respect, dialogue, and embodied learning.

Previous dance experience is welcomed but not required. What matters most is an openness to learn, participate with curiosity, and engage respectfully with both the movement and the cultural knowledge being shared.

Join Us

This program is an invitation to deepen your relationship with Afro-Brazilian culture through movement, knowledge, curiosity, and community.

Over thirteen weeks, we will come together to move, study, reflect, and engage with traditions that continue to shape one of the world's richest cultural landscapes. Whether you are looking to enrich your artistic practice, expand your cultural understanding, or simply experience dance in a more meaningful way, Afro-Brazilian Studies offers a space for thoughtful exploration, connection, and growth.

We look forward to welcoming you into this shared journey of learning.