LEARN FORRÓ ONLINE
Learn how to dance forró.
Develop your technique, style, and confidence.
Explore your musicality and creativity.
For all levels, from beginner to advanced.
We teach you the skills and techniques that work on the dance floor.
LEARN FORRÓ ONLINE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
Structured online classes designed for dancers who want to improve technique, musicality, and confidence through a clear and practical learning system.
* This is a map of our online visitors and participants from these past months.
ABOUT THE ONLINE FORRÓ LEARNING PROGRAM
Forró New York is a forró project based in New York City that offers structured online forró classes for dancers worldwide.
Founded by dancer, musician, Latin Grammy-nominated composer, and educator Rafael Piccolotto de Lima, the program brings in-person teaching experience from NYC classes, workshops, and social dance environments into an online learning format.
These online classes are part of the Forró New York project, integrating dance education, musicality, and cultural practice.
LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE, FROM ANYWHERE
This program gives you flexible access to structured forró learning with clear progression.
You can study at your own pace, revisit classes anytime, and learn from Rafael and guest instructors.
Designed for dancers who want:
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structured learning instead of scattered tutorials
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flexibility in when and how they study
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access to international instructors
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a consistent path for improving technique and musicality
STRUCTURED LEARNING WITH REAL DANCE CONTEXT
The core of this program is structured online training focused on technique, musicality, and body awareness, allowing steady progression from home.
Alongside this, the program includes bonus content from real dance environments, such as:
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workshops and classes recorded in New York City
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festival and international event sessions
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social dance and partner work contexts
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guest instructor contributions
These materials show how the concepts are applied in real situations, complementing the structured learning path.
A COMPLETE LEARNING SYSTEM
Instead of isolated classes, you follow a structured path of progression.
BEGINNER COURSE
Start your journey in forró with clear and essential foundations.
Learn the basic principles that support your movement, rhythm, and partner connection.
Build confidence on the dance floor through simple and structured guidance.
Develop the base that allows you to grow in any direction within forró.
MUSICALITY COURSE
Develop your connection to forró music and improve how you dance with what you hear.
Learn how rhythm influences movement and how to respond to musical changes in a natural way.
Strengthen your timing, flow, and expression through musical awareness.
Understand forró not just as steps, but as a dialogue between body and music.
FULL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP
MOST COMPLETE OPTION
Full access to the complete learning system in one place.
All courses combined, plus additional content that expands your understanding of forró over time.
Includes structured training in technique, musicality, and partner connection, along with exclusive materials that go beyond the core courses.
A continuous path for dancers who want long-term development in all aspects of forró.
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
Rafael Piccolotto de Lima is a forró dancer, musician, and educator from Campinas (São Paulo, Brazil) with over 20 years of experience in forró dance.
He is a Latin Grammy-nominated composer, conductor, and Doctor of Musical Arts, bringing a strong musical foundation to his approach to dance education, with a focus on rhythm, phrasing, and musicality.
Rafael teaches weekly in New York City and has led workshops and classes at forró festivals and events across North America and internationally.
He is also the creator of Forró New York’s online learning program, developing structured online forró courses for English-speaking dancers worldwide.
Within the English-language space for forró education, Rafael is one of the most established instructors and content creators, with one of the most widely recognized YouTube channels dedicated specifically to teaching forró and discussing its technique, musicality, and practice in English.
GUEST INSTRUCTORS
TESTIMONIALS
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I’ve been taking dancing classes my whole life and nothing compares to what I’ve been learning with Rafael. I believe that because he’s a composer and a conductor and his approach to music and rhythm is completely different to what is out there and it has changed the way I dance forever. Not only the way I dance forró, but everything. It changed my perspective. On top of the an amazing classes, the environment is fun, people are awesome. You learn a skill at the same time you make friends for life. Highly recommended!
Lívia Silva (New York)
Forró online has been the silver lining of the pandemics! Each class is filled with creativity, musicality and a lot of fun. Rafa is extremely innovative and attentive (and very organized!).
Anne L. (Ottawa - Canada)
“Rafael's creativity and musicality classes are always pushing me out from the comfort zone in a positive way. I’ve learned that with any song, you can make it your own and experiment new things with your body if you’re up for it. And if your dance partner is up for it. There’s just limitless opportunities to express yourself through a song. Thanks, Rafa, for helping to build this foundation during the pandemic.”
Tuomas Ranta (San Francisco)
"Taking forró online has brought me so much joy for the past months. Not only have I loved the community we’re creating, I’m also recognizing the value of dancing alone! Practicing challenging moves, working on balance, and learning from a diversity of teachers have really helped grow my skills and confidence, preparing me for when we can get out there in person!"
Carey Dufey (New York)
I didn’t know what to expect when I started taking online classes with Rafael. It was hard to imagine how to learn a couple’s dance virtually. I can tell it has been a beautiful experience. Rafael knows how to explain complex concepts in a simple way, and in every class he gives us elements to build new vocabulary in our dance. I think that because he is a musician, he understands the dance from the inside out. It feels like he is teaching us how to perform individual notes and, then it is to us to put them together and create new “music” with our bodies and feet.
Rafael makes the classes interactive and fun. We can always ask questions and get feedback. Thank you so much Rafael. I love your classes!
Angelica Vargas Prada (San Franscisco)
I really enjoy Rafa's classes because he teaches different techniques and different steps in a way that is very easy to understand. And because of his background as a musician, he is great at teaching musicality and how to express ourselves with our bodies. I fully recommend this class, 100%!
Elaine Simon (Ottawa - Canada)
"Coming back to dance after stopping for the first many months of the pandemic felt like a new discovery. It is an entirely separate feeling to dance alone--to deeply understand basic concepts and learn the way you move and express yourself without the influence of others. It's been a gift. And, it's at the core of dancing forró. Until the day we can all dance together in community, I'll be here in my living room dancing with myself."
Mariana Pugliese (New York)