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.
Founder Jonia Dorta McClenney was born in Pernambuco, Brazil, and she began Brazilian folk dances such as Pastoril, Frevo, Xaxado and Forro when she was just four years old. By age 9, 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 showcased her talent with "Sing" contemporary and jazz Dance Company. She also 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 Dorta McClenney is AFAA Certified Instructor #515648 / CPR and First Aid Certified.