Transition periods make us think. At least that is what happens with me. About 3 years ago, when I was about to conclude my Doctoral studies in Miami, I was thinking hard about the next steps in my career. I would also think about all the other things that I wanted to experience but were never a priority for me. Traveling to dance forró was one of those things, especially to participate in festivals. Ever since I started to dance, people would talk about the Itaúnas festival

To me, Forró Roots is almost an identity project. Forró was a big part of my personal growth during the time I lived in Recife, as I...

How long does it take for you to know if a dance will be good or not? You may not believe it, but for me, it is clear after just a few seconds into a song with a new partner, even before we do any turn. You may ask: "What is your secret?" "How can you predict so quickly the quality of a dance?" The answer is simple: the basics. Rhythm, embrace, and the ability to adjust are elements that showcase good dancers at first steps. It is curious to notice that many beginners and ev

So how did an American girl of Japanese background like me became a forró DJ in New York? My journey with forró started here in New York...

If there was a chance I could go back in time, meet my 20-year-old self and tell him that in the future he will be living in New York City, working as a composer, arranger, conductor, videographer, recording engineer AND teaching forró classes, my younger self would not believe it. A lot has happened in 11 years. Living in New York and working with music were dreams of mine, so it would not be so hard for him to believe. But, to teach forró here? That never ever crossed my mi

It happened to me some two years ago in Brazil. In the small town of Itacaré, in the state of Bahia to be exact. I was in an open-air...