BIOGRAPHY
Leandro Silva (Alegria) was born in Bahia, Brazil. He began his Capoeira training at the age of ten years old with Mestre Jelon Vieira and has demonstrated and taught capoeira throughout Brazil, the United States and Europe.
An accomplished, professionally trained dancer of various styles (Capoeira, Afro Brazilian, Modern, Ballet, Contemporary), Mr. Silva has toured the world for several years as a member of the highly acclaimed DanceBrazil dance company. Also Alegria has been part of several other international companies such as Brazarte Dance Company (Miami-FL), Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (Denver-CO), Orquestra Popular da Bahia (Brazil), and Ballethnic Dance Company (Atlanta- GA). He has also performed in important Dance events like, Broadway & Beyond ( 2012- 2014).
For the past several years, Mr. Silva has been developing his own style of dance, where he mixes Capoeira with modern dance and Contemporary Dance. He has also participated as director and choreographer of National Black Arts Festival (Atl-GA), choreographer assistant of So You Think You Can Dance (Canada) and performed in the Houston Brazilian Festival (Hou- TX). Mr. Silva has been an artist in residence for Philadanco Dance Company.
Mr. Silva is also a Artistic Director and Choreographer of Silva Dance Company.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Silva Technique is a fusion of Brazilian Contemporary dances with a strong emphasis on Capoeira movements, and modern dance foundations. It has been revolutionizing dance in the world today and has been made popular by professional companies such as Dance Brasil. Modern dance technique has for many years shown the quality and harmony of dance and the body. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial arts fighting style, but at the same time is a dance incorporating your swing or “ginga” and acrobatics. Together the mix of Brazilian rhythms and accents with Modern dance technique and Capoeira are forming a new contemporary movement.