The International Samba Congress (ISC) proudly presents two main events: the International Samba Congress and the Gafieira Express. Join us and experience unforgettable moments!
of Samba Contest
Step into a dazzling celebration of samba! The National King and Queen of Samba Contest brings together Brazil’s top dancers to compete for the coveted crowns. Feel the energy, passion, and grace as they showcase the very best of samba culture.
Unlock unlimited Samba classes, live sessions, and exclusive perks with ISC Subscription. Enjoy unlimited access to our class collection, four live classes monthly, and weekly workshops. Join our Facebook VIP group, get a 10% discount on the ISC Full Pass, and stay updated with our newsletter. Immerse yourself in Samba and Brazilian culture with us!
ISC proudly presents two main events: International Samba Congress and The National King and Queen of Samba Contest. Join us and experience unforgettable moments!
Congress Events
ISC Guadalajara 2026 unites Brazil & Mexico through samba. A cultural bridge by Samba N’ Motion & Connect Samba.
Come join us at the International Samba Congress in Guadalajara! Get ready to dance the day away at The Move Center. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms and beats of Samba. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience!
International Samba Congress - Guadalajara May 29-31, 2026
The Move Center 741 Del Tule Zapopan, JAL 45017 Mexico
of Samba Contest!
“Is an annual dance event celebrating samba culture and tradition. Talented dancers compete to be crowned the national King and Queen of Samba.”
October 3-5
Los Angeles
Learn from world-class samba professionals whose careers connect Carnaval tradition, artistic excellence and global education.
He performed in several samba schools between 2004 and 2008, never leaving Paraíso do Tuiuti. In 2008, he became a passista coordinator and joined Salgueiro’s Show group until 2016, with Carlinhos do Salgueiro as his main influence. He also worked with União da Ilha and other Série A schools. He was the winning coach at the 2020 Brazil Samba Congress and currently leads three passista wings in Rio, including the international group Poderosas do Samba.
Belinha Delfim is a dancer, model, 2019 Estandarte de Ouro winner, and a current passista of Unidos do Viradouro. A former passista director at São Clemente, she is also a samba instructor and entrepreneur at Atelier Delfim, known for costumes blending ballet and athleticism. Multifaceted, she has appeared in campaigns with Neymar, Michel Teló, and other artists.
Dill Costa is a Brazilian singer, composer, actress, and dance instructor from Rio. In Chicago since 2003, she performs Carnaval music, leads musical projects, and teaches Brazilian dance. A former Globo TV actress for 25 years, she has worked with major samba groups and created shows like The Heart Beat of Brasil and Minha Alma é Ancestral.
Irineu Nogueira is a Brazilian artist based in Munich whose work spans dance, theatre, film, fashion, and performance. Known for his expertise in Samba and Afro-Brazilian dances, he created the Abieié method and has taught masterclasses worldwide for celebrities and heads of state.
Mayara is a professional dancer, Samba coach, model and entrepreneur from São Paulo. A specialist in samba no pé, she leads @sambafitnessoficial, training musas for Carnaval. Active since 1991, she has held roles like Rainha de Bateria and was São Paulo’s 1st Princess in 2014. With 10+ years of international tours, she now works as artistic director, choreographer and cultural event producer.
Patrick Carvalho da Silva is the director and producer of Gafieira Brasil and the Samba Congresses in Rio, Australia, and Canada. An award-winning choreographer, winner of the 2018 Estandarte de Ouro and a featured pro on Globo’s “Strictly Come Dancing,” he is one of the leading figures and ambassadors of samba in Brazil and worldwide.
Rosangela Silvestre, choreographer, instructor and creator of the Silvestre Technique, is from Salvador, Bahia, with a BA in Dance and postgraduate studies in choreography. Her work blends research in Brazil, India, Egypt, Senegal and Cuba. She trained in Graham, Limón, Horton, Ballet, Dunham, Floor Barre and explored contemporary, theater, folkloric and traditional African dances.
Thai Rodrigues, 34 years, is an artist, dancer, actress, and host. She began at 6 with ballet, capoeira, and ballroom dance, and studied theater for eight years. Today she teaches samba worldwide, has performed in Ginga Tropical and Carlinhos de Jesus’ shows, and has competed and taught at the Brazil Samba Congress. Muse of Bola Preta, Carnival Queen 2022, Portela 2023, Imperatriz 2024, and Drum Queen of Unidos da Ponte 2025. Creator of the cultural program “Plantão da Thai.”
Clarice Cast is a Brazilian multi-percussionist based in Los Angeles. With degrees from NIU and CalArts, she performs, records, composes, and teaches at major percussion events, including PASIC. Influenced by Brazilian culture, she appears on the Grammy-nominated Lado B Brazilian Project debut album.
Sidcley Santos grew up in a samba family near the Sambadrome, parading since childhood. He danced for major schools and, since 2011, represents Salgueiro, earning multiple top scores and four Estandarte de Ouro awards. Marcella Alves began in 1992, became the youngest Special Group flag bearer, paraded for leading schools, starred in 18 Carnivals with Salgueiro, and won major awards alongside Sidcley for over a decade.
Mestre Ailton Nunes grew up in Mangueira, Rio, and rose through its iconic samba school to become Mestre da Bateria in 2011. Known for innovation, leadership, and calm teaching, he led Mangueira to the Estandarte de Ouro that year and inspires hundreds of top drummers to deliver world-class samba. Join now and secure an early bird spot!
Tereza Azevedo is a samba dancer, choreographer, teacher, and Feldenkrais instructor who has paraded with major Rio samba schools and performed worldwide. A leading samba reference in France for nearly 20 years, she bridges tradition and innovation through international projects, research work at Carnaval, and initiatives like Tá no Pé, Sociedade Recreativa, and Baque da Pé.
Márcio Peeter is a Brazilian percussionist from Salvador, Bahia. Trained with Ilê Aiyê since age seven, he toured 28 countries by 21. Based in the U.S. since 2003, he teaches at major universities, performed in The Lion King and the film RIO, and leads percussion education in New Orleans public schools.
Partners since 2021, they have shared classes, shows, and congresses across Brazil. They teach at major events such as Samba Maníacos and have worked as dancers and instructors on cruises promoting Brazilian culture. With authenticity, they bring Gafieira Maluca to diverse stages, blending tradition and irreverence in a vibrant, powerful samba full of identity.
Guilherme and Gustavo Oliveira are renowned Brazilian percussionists and drum masters of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro. With careers rooted in samba schools, recordings, and major artists, they perform and teach worldwide. Together, they lead international workshops and the DOS SANTOS project, uniting tradition, education, and musical research.
Luara is a professional samba dancer from the Santa Marta community in Rio. Dancing since age 4, she built her own samba style and became a passista at Salgueiro. She performed at the World Cup, Olympics, major shows, and was crowned Carnaval royalty. Founder of #SambadaBom, she leads a social project empowering her community through samba.
Directly from São Paulo, Gustavo is a choreographer and dancer known for his elegant and refined samba style. Blending samba with performance, his method inspires passistas and women seeking presence, elegance, and sensuality on stage. A major name in samba, he is a confirmed guest at our Congress.
A professional dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of Tuiuti Samba School, he is also a drum section king and samba no pé instructor. An award-winning professional, he has extensive experience producing and leading major samba events around the world.
Award-winning ballroom dance professionals, Tainah and Jaguar build their careers through performances and congresses that strengthen the dance scene. Tainah is devoted to Brazilian regional dances, while Jaguar stands out for musicality and precision. They teach Samba de Gafieira with strong technique, fundamentals, and expression, plus Samba no Pé and Ballroom Dance.
