Learn Carnival Dances from Around the World with Mickela Mallozzi and Special Guests!

February 16, 17, and 18, 2021

February 16, 1pm – 2pm EST
February 17, 11am – 12pm EST
February 18, 11am – 12pm EST
$16 per class – Register for one, two, or all three!

For millions of people around the world February brings the season of Carnival, and they celebrate with dancing! This February break students can join Mickela Mallozzi, the four-time Emmy® Award-winning Host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, and Dancing Classrooms Teaching Artists from across the globe in 3 special Carnival Dances from Around the World Masterclasses. Students will experience the culture and history of each dance and region through video, images, conversation and dance, hear from Mickela about traveling around the world to learn these dances, and then explore the rhythms and techniques of the dance form in these one-of-a-kind masterclasses.

Classes are open to students aged 10 – 18, all experience levels are welcome! All classes will be conducted on Zoom.

REGISTER HERE

Tuesday, February 16, 1pm EST
Brazillian Samba 

Mickela Millozzi is joined by Dancing Classrooms NYC Senior Teaching Artist and Brazillian native, Danielle Lima, to explore Samba! Brazil is home to one of the largest Carnival celebrations in the world, and the Afro-Brazilian social dance Samba is at the center of the festivities. Together students will learn Samba no pé technique (footwork), arm styling and posture through fun and original Samba routines. 

Wednesday, February 17, 11am EST
Viennese Waltz

Mickela Millozzi is joined by Dancing Classrooms Minnesota Teaching Artist and Heart of Dance Executive Director, Andrea Mirenda, to explore the classic European social dance, the Waltz. The Waltz is a staple of the formal dance gathering, a Ball, and in Austria Ball Season reaches its pinnacle in February in celebration of Carnival! Together students will learn/improve the steps and rhythms of the waltz (no partner necessary!) and even venture into the fast-paced-dizzying world of the Viennese Waltz.

Thursday, February 18, 11am EST
Soca

Mickela Millozzi is joined by Dancing Classrooms Virgin Islands Teaching Artist Ifa Massey to explore the upbeat Carribean dance form, Soca. Often on display in parades and a centerpiece of Carnival celebrations and parties in the Carribean, Soca emphasizes high-energy rhythms and footwork, and is inspired by the eclectic and popular music of the same name that originated in Trinidad. Together students will work up a sweat while learning and practicing quick footwork, hopping, elaborate arm movements, and head rolls.

About Our Teachers

Mickela Mallozzi is the four-time Emmy® Award-winning Host and Executive Producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, a travel series highlighting the diversity of dance which airs on PBS stations nationwide and on Amazon Prime Video globally.  A professional dancer and trained musician, Mickela decided to start a journey around the world, taking her camera with her to follow dance in the lives of everyday people wherever she went.  From re-discovering her family’s heritage in Southern Italy to dancing tango on the main stage in Buenos Aires, the series covers Mickela’s adventures as she experiences the world, one dance at a time.  She has been featured in The New York Times, O Magazine, AFAR Media, Travel Channel, Dance Magazine, Forbes, National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveler, and more, and she has performed on various television shows including Sesame Street and The Doctor Oz Show.

Danielle Lima is a Professional Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At an early age Danielle discovered a passion for the samba at the Samba School Beija-Flor de Nilopolis where she paraded in carnival for many years and developed her own samba no pe style. She also studied Ballet, Jazz, modern and National Folklore Dances extensively at the Dance Studio Valeria Brito, at Centro de Dancas Rio before leaving Brazil to work as a dancer with Ringling Bros. and Barnun & Bailey. Danielle has taught dance throughout NYC, including with Djoniba Drum & Dance Center, Ailey Extension, and Dancing Classrooms, where she has been teaching Ballroom and other social dance styles for 14 years.

Andrea Miranda has spent more than 20 years as a ballroom dance educator and is certified through the National Dance Council of America. She is an experienced choreographer, multi-studio owner, regional director, and competition and event organizer. Andrea coaches two college dance teams and competes with adult students in Pro-Am divisions. She also judges and emcees ballroom dance competitions and is the national co-chair of the USA Dance Gender  Neutral Dancesport Committee.

Dancer, Choreographer and performer Ifa Massey is a Dancing Classrooms Virgin Islands Teaching Artist and owner of Create Your Own Experiences Initiative, an organization dedicated to creating experiences that matter through the art of dance, mentorship, community collaborations, activism, and inspiring conversation.  Ifa has been dancing and performing for 30 years throughout the Virgin Islands, including work with Sokh Caribbean Dance Fitness.