About Me

My name is Liani, and I am originally from Santos, a seaside town in São Paulo State (Brazil).   

My dancing journey started in my teen years at the Capoeira of Mestre Fabio Parada school, and my interest and identification with 

the Afro-Brazilian religion. 

It's hard for me to pinpoint the start of my Samba passion because Samba is ingrained in Brazilian culture. 

Samba has always been in my life since an early age. 

When I left Brazil (at 29 years of age) to chase greener pastures, I worked as a Latin Ballroom dance teacher at Arthur Murray dance studio in Houston, Texas (USA). There, I got the most excellent training in American-style Latin ballroom.   

In London since 2010, I have spent four intensive years training at Pineapple Dance Studios in Jazz, Samba, Latin and Commercial. 

Pineapple Dance Studios was my second home. Since May 2021, I've been a resident Brazilian Samba dance teacher there.  

In 2016, I joined the Paraiso School of Samba (PSS) first as a Passista. Then, in 2017, after fierce competition, I was elected the Queen of the Drums (Rainha de Bateria 2017) and was added to the Samba teaching panel of the School for one year. From 2018 to 2023, I had my own Ala (a group of dancers wearing the same costume within a School) in partnership with Marcelo Oliveira (Carnavalesco of the School), 

I paraded with PSS for six Notting Hill Carnivals (2016 to 2023). The last one with them was in 2023.   

Since 2020, my dance team, Sambistas da Rainha, and I have performed at Acton Carnival and Kennington Festival in London. 

Since 2023, I have taken my group to parade at Paris Carnaval Tropical with GRES Azulinha (School of Samba in Paris).    

In 2024, I started a new School of Samba in London with 5 Samba Professionals, the GRES Império da Rainha. 

I'm the President of the School, the first female president of a School of Samba in the UK. 

I performed with different Brazilian bands, entertainment companies, 

and groups in the U.K. I travelled to Russia, Australia, Germany, Poland, the USA, France and Denmark to teach and perform Brazilian Samba. 

I've taken my Brazilian Samba to T.V. shows and music videos, the most exciting being with Basement Jaxx.    

In Rio de Janeiro, I've been training and parading as a Passista 

(pro samba dancer) since 2018: 

1. Passista Acadêmicos do Salgueiro (2022 - present): 

THE ELITE SAMBA DANCERS OF RIO DE JANEIRO

2.  Passista Estácio de Sá (2022 - 2023)

3. Madrinha dos Passistas Império da Tijuca (2022)

4. Passista Império da Tijuca (2018 - 2021)

5. Passista Unidos de Vila Isabel (2020 - 2021)

6. Passista Império Serrano (2019) 

Parading with different schools of Samba and Passista directors gave me a great insight into the Samba world. I have extensive knowledge about being a Passista (pro samba dancer), from its culture, to how they samba and perform. Being a Passista Salgueiro is no small achievement; the director, Carlinhos Salgueiro, is the most acclaimed Samba personality in Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval.

I'm also a Biomedical Scientist working with Human Stem Cells at the Francis Crick Institute (London, UK). 

Samba, for me, is a true passion. It's my way of being connected to my roots and culture. It's a way to keep fit and healthy (mentally and physically). It's also a great way to meet new people and make friends. 

I want to share the culture and empowerment of Samba with you! 

Join my Samba Dance Team! 

Vamos Sambar!!