Welcome to our world of Brazilian Dance.
We are passionate about developing and promoting Brazilian Dance and culture in Adelaide. Our teachers are either native Brazilians or have been trained in Brazil or by prominent authentic Brazilian Instructors. All our teachers have appropriate dance, fitness and music qualifications and an intimate knowledge of safe dance practise.
Company Origins – A Timeline
Joanna Grech first met James Deane in the Adelaide Latin Scene in 2009. Joanna (a qualified dancer) with over 10 years of experience in Latin and Brazilian Dance Styles, prompted James (a professional ballroom dancer) to train with her in Gaspar Ribeiro’s Professional Zouk Lambada Team for the Adelaide Zouk Project. They performed at the Sydney Salsa Congress in January 2010 which inspired James to further his Zouk training. For the remainder of 2010 James moved to Brazil where he spent six months training at the prestigious Nucleo de Dança Renata Peçanha (in Rio de Janeiro).
During this time Joanna remained in Adelaide and created Brazilian Dance Project with Brazilian Dancers Roberto Ribeiro and Kadu Rodrigues. Brazilian Dance Project was essentially the nucleus for Brazilian Dance Fusion, initiated by Joanna who began collaborating with Roberto Ribeiro, Kadu Rodrigues and Samadhi Haick to create a Brazilian Dance Collective.
Joanna and Kadu began performing and teaching the playful style of Samba de Gafieira, involving themselves in congresses and competitions both interstate and in Adelaide. At the end of 2010 Kadu regretfully returned to Brazil which coincided with James’s return to Adelaide. James and Joanna reunited their dance partnership and renamed the company as Brazilian Dance Fusion with the intent for it to become a haven for Brazilian Dance in Adelaide. The company has continued to grow its name and has a strong national presence at Latin Dance Congresses and events around Australia with both their Zouk Lambada and Samba Teams.
James and Joanna are also the First Place Winners of the Professional Couple Category at the Tropicana Street Latin Competition for 2012, withthe Brazilian Dance Fusion Student Samba Team also holding the Second Place title for the semi pro solo in 2011. At the beginning of 2013 James decided to take a break from Dance to embark on another venture, ‘VidaComida’ a business dedicated to importing Brazilian Açaí products. Joanna has since taken full control of Brazilian Dance Fusion welcoming new teachers and launching new classes in Portuguese Language, Brazilian Percussion, Forró, and Brazilian Fitness.
Our Missions Statement
Our aim is to promote Brazilian dance and culture in Adelaide through dance, fitness, music and language. Our fundamental objective is for each teacher to share their passion for dance and to enhance the emotional, social and physical well-being of their students through their own unique dance training. We are committed to quality service provision and a high standard of tuition. Students of all ages and levels of dance ability are not only welcome but are encouraged to experience the beauty and satisfaction of Brazilian Dance first hand! So what are you waiting for? …….Vamos Dançar!! (Let’s Dance!)