BEGINNERS
FORRÓ ONLINE COURSE
Stop copying steps. Start understanding forró.
Build real technique, rhythm awareness, and body control.
Learn how to dance with clarity from the very beginning.
STOP COPYING STEPS - START UNDERSTANDING HOW FORRÓ REALLY WORKS
This course helps you move from imitation to real understanding of forró.
You develop the tools to recognize rhythm, control your body, and make sense of what is happening in the dance.
By the end, you are no longer guessing steps - you are working with the structure of the dance itself.
A PREVIEW OF YOUR BASIC FORRÓ REPERTOIRE
This video gives you a clear overview of the core movements used in forró.
It was created to help you see how the basic vocabulary of the dance looks in practice, before diving into the course itself.
Inside the course, each of these movements is broken down in detail, with step-by-step explanations, technical guidance, and structured practice so you can learn them properly and apply them with confidence.
Here, you are seeing a preview of the material and the kind of work we develop throughout the lessons.
Watch the video below to understand the foundation of the system you will be learning.
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
This is a beginner-level forró course focused on building strong fundamentals through individual practice and structured progression.
This course is for you if:
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you are starting from zero or very early stage
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you want to understand forró, not just copy steps
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you want to build a solid technical and body foundation
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you want to feel more confident in classes, workshops, and social dances
It is not:
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a choreography-based course focused on memorizing sequences
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a shortcut to social dancing without building real fundamentals
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dependent on a partner or external conditions to practice
The focus is on how you approach learning: structured progression, individual practice, and a clear way of building your foundation in forró.
BEGINNERS
75$Every yearMaster the essentials of forró with recorded solo and group classes that build your technique, musicality, and partner skills, giving you a real workshop feel and tools for the social dance floor.- 4h+ of solo classes (technique, repertoire, and musicality)
- 6h+ of group classes recorded in NYC (partner moves)
- Additional content (playlists, tips, etc.)
Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle so you can continue your learning without interruption. You can cancel at any time before the renewal date, and your access will remain active until the end of your current period.
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
WHAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY LEARN
Here is a clear breakdown of what you will work on inside the course.
CORE MOVEMENTS
Fundamental forró step system covering all basic bases and one key variation.
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Basic side step in 1 count (lateral in one beat)
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Basic side step in 2 counts (lateral in two beats)
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Open marking step (basic “marca” structure)
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Back step
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Front and back marking step
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Cross variation (basic crossed-foot variation)
BODY & TECHNIQUE
How to organize and control your body while dancing.
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Posture and body alignment
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Weight transfer control
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Hip and upper body coordination
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Movement efficiency and stability
MUSICALITY
How to connect movement with forró music.
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Core rhythms (xote, baião, forró, xaxado, arrasta-pé)
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Step timing and phrasing
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Relationship between rhythm and movement
PARTNER APPLICATION (LIVE CLASS MATERIAL)
Recorded in real group classes in New York, this section shows how the fundamentals are applied in a partner setting.
You see the transition from solo practice to real interaction with another dancer, including timing, connection, and execution in a social context.
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Step-by-step partner figures
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Basic combinations with clear breakdown
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Timing and coordination in real interaction
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Practical application inside a group class environment
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
How the material becomes usable in real dancing.
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Transitions between steps
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Simple movement combinations
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Integration of solo and partner work
LEARN FORRÓ BASIC STEPS
I’ve prepared a video to help you start practicing the basic steps even before joining the course.
Watch it below to get a feel for how I teach, the structure of the lessons, and the quality of the material you’ll find inside.
TESTIMONIALS
(see more on google)
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)
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Join our international community of forrozeiros.
This is a map of our online visitors and participants from these past months.
BEGINNERS
75$Every yearMaster the essentials of forró with recorded solo and group classes that build your technique, musicality, and partner skills, giving you a real workshop feel and tools for the social dance floor.- 4h+ of solo classes (technique, repertoire, and musicality)
- 6h+ of group classes recorded in NYC (partner moves)
- Additional content (playlists, tips, etc.)
Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle so you can continue your learning without interruption. You can cancel at any time before the renewal date, and your access will remain active until the end of your current period.