From left Mara Benitez, Pearl Chaiyarat, Valeria Daki and the rest of the dancers in a Samba Soul class work on a routine.

An evening Samba Soul Dance Company class at Raizes do Brasil in Santa Cruz.

Gisella Ferreira leads a recent Samba Soul Dance Company class at Raizes do Brasil on McPherson Street in Santa Cruz. Samba Soul specializes in the artistry and expression of authentic Brazilian Samba Dance performance and is led by Ferreira, who was born and raised in Santa Cruz as well as other expert teachers. She said, “Samba is a dance for empowerment. It uplifts and transforms sadness and challenge into joy. To Samba means to thrive and celebrate being alive.” Ferreira has been named 1st Samba Queen USA/ Rainha do Samba, Hollywood Carnival Queen and most recently Passista do Salgueiro, a Principal Dancer and member of a prestigious Samba School in Rio, and she brings over 20 years of teaching dance experience and over 16 years of professional dance experience to her classes and performances. After residing for years in Southern California, Ferreira has returned to Santa Cruz where she teaches dance at Raizes do Brasil Capoeira Santa Cruz and at Pleasure Point Dance, as well as dance electives at Pajaro Valley Unified School District middle and elementary schools. Her Samba Soul company has two upcoming local performances at Woodhouse Blending and Brewing in Santa Cruz. They will be the closing act at the Hispanic/Latine Festival Sunday and headline Brazil Fest with Raizes do Brasil Capoeira on Oct. 6. Some of the dancers will also perform at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2025.

Rebecca Clark moves joyfully to the sounds of Samba.

Missa Hawk glistens with sweat as she gives her all during a Samba class.