Instructor & Director

Florence Warda (24) has been involved in Brazilian dance for over 8 years, after her first visit to Brazil in 2001.  Over the years Florence has been back and forth between Brazil and Australia –  5 trips – and building up her technique and knowledge for Brazilian dance.  Her most recent trip and biggest dance experience comes from a 1 year overseas experience where 9 months of which was spent in Salvador da Bahia – the capital of Bahia, Brazil.  There she trained every day in two leading dance schools, Fundacao Cultural da Bahia and the Academia SESC da Bahia and made the most of weekends to practice her new moves at various parties and festival – including carnaval.

Florence also was chosen to perform for a famous festival called Sao Juan in which she toured the Bahia state in June 08, as a professional dancer for the band Vulcao Aceso.  Florence also found time for a one moth getaway to Rio De Janiero where she participated in the samba schools of Mangueira and Salgueiro.

Before this, her time on the Gold Coast was spent completing a business degree at Griffith University, assisting in the management of the Latin Club (vice-president role), and performing regular shows of Brazilian Samba.  Florence danced for ‘Samba Showgirls’, ‘Zambiacongo Capoiera’ and was also contracted individually to dance at various events, night clubs and hotels, including: Conrad Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast Conventions and Exhibition center, The Arts Centre, The Drink Nightclub, The bedroom nightclub, Melbas, Circle on Cavil Mall, Hyatt Rency, Royal Pines and many more…  Florence has also performed shows of Swing Bainao, salsa around the Gold Coast and Brisbane region as well as Traditional Colombian Dance for Colombian Independence Day celebrations.

Florence has an incredible passion for Bahian dance.  “It’s by far my favorite style of dance and I absolutely love it!  There is something in the drums and rhythm that gives me a scene of freedom and takes me to a happy place. Bahia Alegria is the perfect name for my classes as it really is all about having fun through dancing – Bahia style”.