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.