Vera Passos

Associate Art Director and Choreographer and teacher of Viver Brasil Dance Company in Los Angeles

She is an instructor, choreographer and accomplished dancer. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from the University Federal of Bahia. She started her training with modern dance in Salvador, Bahia and became involved with other forms of dance - such as Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Traditional dance. Trained by renowned Brazilian teachers including: Gal Mascarenhas, Lia Robato. Angela Dantas, Lucinha Mascarenhas, Fafa Daltro, Mestre King, Carlinhos Moraes, Jorge Silva, Paco Gomes, e Zebrinha, Passos has danced for companies such as Africa Poesia, Jorge Silva Dance Company and was a solist dancer of the acclaimed Bale Folclórico da Bahia. She has performed internationally in venues in North and South America, Canada, Europe and Australia. Passos began studying the demanding Silvestre Technique with creator Rosangela Silvestre in 1992, and soon became the protégé of Silvestre. Since 2002, Ms. Passos has taught the 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. She is the director of Silvestre Link Bahia. Vera Passos participated in the collaborations with the eclectic American musician Steve Coleman on his tour of Europe in 2002 and 2003. She choreographed for Orchestra Popular da Bahia, directed by the pioneer ethnomusicologist Emilia Biancardi; In collaboration with O Kontra, an experimental jazz ensemble, directed by Nei Sacramento, Vera has choreographed signature works: Rompimento(1999), Oração(2005), Triângulos(2007), which produces experimental performances of Afro-Brazilian dance and music; and “Terra em Transe” with music by Italian musician Aldo Brizzi. Ms. Passos also danced in the Opera, “Lidia de Oxum”, choreographed by Carlos Morais. Passos was Invited by Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaro, to perform with, train and choreograph for the Viver Brasil Dance Company, where she is currently working as artist in residence and will be performing in their United States tour. She actively teaches Silvestre Technique and Orixa Dance movement workshops throughout the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Together with Rosangela, she leads the Annual month long Silvestre Technique dance training in Brazil every January and August. Currently Vera Passos is Associate Art Director and Choreographer and teacher of Viver Brasil Dance Company in Los Angeles.

Recorded Sessions