The Department of Dance will host Brazilian master teacher, choreographer, and performer Vera Passos for a 10-day residency in April. During the residency, Passos will lead masterclasses for UNC Charlotte students, teach a dance class at Myers Park High School, and provide two public workshops at UNC Charlotte on April 5: Silvestre Dance Technique and Afro-Brazilian Dance.
Vera Passos has performed in international venues in North and South America, Europe, and Africa. She has danced with the world renowned Balé Folclórico da Bahia, participated in collaborations with the eclectic American musician Steve Coleman on his tour of Europe in 2002-2003, and has choreographed for Orchestra Popular da Bahia, directed by Emilia Biancardi. She is currently a special guest dancer with the acclaimed Viver Brasil Dance Company.
Since 2002, Passos has taught Silvestre Dance Technique at the Escola de Dança Cultural Foundation in Bahia, Brazil, in the preparatory dance program to both dancers-in-training and to professional dance students. Vera’s full biography can be found here.