How to Find Samba Classes

Samba, with its unique combination of African and Latin rhythms, conjures up all of the magic and excitement of Brazilian Carnival and all of the romance of Rio. With a good instructor, a few classes and some practice, you can create the feeling of Brazil in your own hometown.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Research samba dance and music online and in libraries. There are a number of forms of samba, so you need to know which one you want to learn. For example, there are traditional Brazilian forms, such as Samba Enredo, or ballroom-style samba. Samba can also be danced solo or in couples. Knowing what you want will help you find the class that suits you best.

2. Locate dance studios in your area by searching online. When you find a studio that offers samba, ask questions to make sure it's the type of samba you want to learn. If it's not, keep searching.

3. Contact colleges and universities to find samba classes. These classes are often designed for dance majors, so ask about the level of dance experience you need. A benefit of taking college classes is that your instructor will be a highly-experienced samba dancer and teacher, so you may learn more quickly.

4. Sign up for a class and convince friends to come along. Samba is a social dance that is relatively easy to learn, so even skeptical friends might enjoy it.

5. Ask the instructor what shoes you should wear to class. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing that you can move in.

Tips & Warnings

• Search for short samba workshops when you travel if you can't find samba classes in your area. Samba workshops are often offered in large cities across the world.
• Don't try to learn samba from a video if you are interested in mastering it. Though it is not especially difficult to learn samba basics, a personal instructor will make sure you get off to the right start.