Vera Oliveira - São Paulo, Brazil.

Vera has a wealth of experience in modern, contemporary and traditional Brazilian dance and     choreography. She is the principal choreographer of the world famous youth performing arts group MENINOS DO MORUMBI and founder of ERÊS DE ÉBANO. Vera has studied dance internationally including styles from Senegal, India, Switzerland, Bali, Belgium, America and Argentina to name a few. Vera has dedicated her life to the research and development of dance and keeping these cultures and traditions alive by passing this knowledge on to her students.

  Photo - ERÊS DE ÉBANO - São Paulo, Brazil

Zaida Arencibia - Havana, Cuba.

Zaida was selected for the National School of Dance in Havana at the age of twelve. She studied there on a residential basis for 7 years, training in contemporary and folkloric dance. From there she went into teaching at a school for dance in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, and was selected to be an internationalista in 1987; her posting was to Maputo in Mozambique, where she taught dance for 7 years. She took up residence in England in 1996 where she now works as a free-lance choreographer and dance teacher, specializing in the dances of the Orishas.

Andy Boothman - Manchester, UK

Andy is an experienced teacher and performer with a wealth of knowledge in percussion and international music styles. Since late eighties, Andy has played as session percussionist with many Manchester artists as well as directing and producing several of his own projects. In 1998, Andy made the first of subsequent visits to Cuba to study and play Afro-Cuban percussion with groups such as Conjunto Folklorico Nacional, Clave y Guaguanco, Yoruba Endabo, Mezcla, Estrellas Cubanas, F.E.U (comparsa) and Cambron Junior Y Su Changui. Andy has also studied percussion in Nigeria to research Nigerian Bata and traditional Nigerian religion, Orisa.

Juan Muñoz - Havana, Cuba.

Juan is a qualified dance instructor and choreographer, has had his own professional dance troupe in Cuba, and competed in Cuban and World dance competitions of the highest standard..Juan was born in Havana City, Cuba, and has been dancing since being a young boy. He started training formally and learning dance in Cuba from being 15 years old and studied at the University of Havana for 11 years, becoming a Graduate of dance, specialising in Afro-Cuban dance - rumba, yoruba, etc. and ‘Bailes Populares’ - Salsa, including Son, Mambo, and Cha Cha Cha.

Adriana Rosso - São Paulo, Brazil.

Adriana has studied and danced with Meninos do Morumbi and Gaviões Da Fiel Samba School in São Paulo where she was twice Princesa da Bateria in 1997/ 98 . She soon became a lead dancer and teacher at Meninos do Morumbi and in 2005 she came to the UK to work with Bangdrum Workshops and Meninos Oldham. Adriana is an exceptional performer and choreographer with a vast experience in many international dance styles teaching and performing regularly internationally. Adriana has played a key role in the development of Global Grooves programme from the begining and it is our pleasure to announce her first Global Grooves course this year.  

Leon Patel – Manchester,UK.

Leon is an experienced workshop leader in many styles of international percussion including Brazilian, West African, South Asian and Cuban percussion. Leon specialises in Afro-Brazilian Bloco and Candomblé studying exstensively in the UK, Brazil and Africa and possessing over 10 years experience in facilitating workshops, master-classes and performances. Leon is also the Artistic Director of Global Grooves and has put together the entire programme of activity from scratch dedicating his time and skills voluntarily with his ongoing commitment to the development of international music and dance. His other cultural performance and workshop projects include Meninos Oldham and Bangdrum Workshops.