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ABOUT US
	  	 
  	
*RAIZ BRAZIL DANCE COMPANY*
	 
  	
	 
  	

Raiz Brazil is our more theatrical and more technical approach to the
Brazilian rhythms like Samba, Axe, Frevo, Maracatu, Brazilian Hip Hop,
Caboclinho, Xaxado, Samba Reggae, Carioca Funk (funk from Rio de
Janeiro), while maintaining the authenticity of each form of dance.

	 
  	  	 
  	

Jonia McClenney

Founder,* JONIA DORTA MCCLENNEY*

AFAA Certified Instructor #515648 / CPR and First Aid Certified

 

Born in Pernambuco, Brazil, Jonia began Brazilian folk dances such as
Pastoril, Frevo, Xaxado and Forro when she was just six years old.  By
age 10, she studied Jazz and then Hip-Hop.  With a scholarship to study
ballet, she graduated at the 6th Level at age 19 from *London’s Royal
Academy of Dance Program* in Sao Paulo.  Jonia has always had a passion
and fascination for dance and went on to graduate from the University of
Sao Paulo with a Bachelor’s in Physical Education.


Competing and placing in numerous dance festivals in Sao Paulo, and
finally in one of the largest dance festivals in the world, the
*Joinville Dance Festival*, Santa Catarina, just south of Brazil, she
danced professionally in Hip Hop with Reebok-sponsored Cia de
Performance Dance Company and performed for such corporate notables as
*Coca-Cola*, *Dupont*, Amway and *Procter and Gamble*.


Her love of Hip Hop brought her to Los Angeles where she danced with
Madonna Grimes Dance Theatre Company and Culture Shock Los Angeles.  Out
of her native Brazil, she rediscovered the beauty of her own culture as
she developed deeper dance appreciation and skills.


After eight years performing Samba and Brazilian rhythms all over the
U.S., including Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco,
Fresno, Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Philadelphia, Atlanta and internationally
in Lebanon and China, Jonia decided to bring her cheerful passion and
extensive experience as a dancer to her own dance company, and in 2007
she founded *Raiz Brazil Dance Company*.

 

Jonia lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.

	 
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