 Henrique
is the leading figure of Brazilian carnival in the UK and has taught
most of the UK's samba dance teachers.
He has been involved
with samba since he was 8 years
old - growing up in Rio de Janeiro in a family whose whole focus
is Rio samba culture. Henrique was “adopted” by Tia
Alice, a past director of Mangueira and Engenho da Rainha. Through
her, he learnt the many dance styles of Maculelê, Maracatu,
Samba-reggae, Mestre Sala, Samba No Pé and Afro-Brazilian.
He also started to work making costumes for her and developed
this skill to work for several other samba schools.
Henrique came to London in 1990 and has choreographed and performed
in many stage performances including the 1995 Pet Shop Boys World
Tour, Marc Almond and S-Club 7, the European tour of Alcione
and the headline grabbing show at the Royal Premier of Moulin Rouge.
Following a period with
Mahogany, he became the Carnavalesco (Carnival Artistic Director
and Costume Designer) and Principal dance teacher of London School
of Samba. He introduced to them the main elements of Rio samba
schools and led their artistic development culminating in the
achievement of 2nd place in the Notting Hill Carnival in 1999.
He choreographed and directed the Millennium Dome samba show on
New Years Eve before HM Queen Elizabeth for which he also designed
the costumes.
In December 2001 founded Paraiso School of Samba in order to
focus on creating an authentic samba school uncompromisingly
following the Rio de Janeiro model in both its organisation and
philosophy of integration with disadvantaged communities.
Henrique is still a Passista (principal dancer) in Mangueira,
Rio’s most developed and most famous samba school and takes
part each year in the world famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival.
As a
samba teacher, Henrique has worked with disadvantaged young people
for the Fairbridge Trust, as well as for many universities. His
dance group's recent work has included shows to promote Bacardi
Breezer and a headline grabbing show at the Royal Premier of Moulin
Rouge. |
