Levels

We believe Forró is all about connecting with others and expressing yourself. That's why comfort and respect are fundamental to partner dancing. For us, the real joy isn't in knowing countless figures, but in the fun you share when you can truly connect with your partner and the music, which can be found even in the simplest steps.

Our levels help tailor your learning experience – they're not a ranking of your talent. Everyone's journey is personal. To truly dance well, you'll need technique, musicality, connection, a range of movements, and cultural understanding. You'll find your strengths and areas for growth in each.

No partner is needed for any of the levels; we rotate during class so everyone gets to practice together.

Unsure of your level? If you're not sure which level is the best fit for you, please contact us! We'll be happy to advise you on the best option to start your Forró journey with us.

Content and Requirements

BEGINNERS 1

Requirements: Nothing! Just a strong desire to start moving your body and spreading Forró hugs around!

In this level, you will have your first contact with Forró and overcome any fear of dancing. The program content focuses on the most important basic steps and their variations, so you can feel confident on the dance floor. You will learn the first notions of partner connection and identify the primary rhythms of Forró. Even if you have some experience with other partner dances, this course is still suitable for you.

BEGINNERS 2

Requirements: You must know how to execute the basic steps, simple turns, and ‘troca de lado” movements. You must be able to keep the rhythm with slow to medium songs and know where to place the strong beat during the dance.

Gain autonomy and confidence. Integrate figures more fluidly, start developing your own style, and enhance leader-follower communication. It is also at this level that you begin to understand the different stages of partner dance communication and the cultural importance of Forró.

INTERMEDIATE 1

Requirements: You must possess a solid understanding of basic musicality, specifically respecting the breaks in the song and restarting on the strong beat, and the ability to adapt your energy according to the music. You must know the difference between Xote and the syncopated rhythms in Forró. You must know how to dance a whole song on arrasta-pé.

At this level, you will gain a greater range of movements and learn to organize them into sequences, exploring an infinite number of variations and personalizing the technique to discover your personal style. You will better understand common structures in Forró and explore more of your creativity. You will also focus on and prioritize communication with others and with the space around you. Figures will require more body awareness and coordination.

INTERMEDIATE 2

Requirements: You must be able to identify the strong beat in any Forró song. You must be able to dance to very slow and very fast songs with good control. You must be autonomous in your dance, meaning you can propose movements appropriate to what you are listening to. As a leader, you must be able to identify follower interventions and adapt to them. As a follower, you must be able to intervene in the dance, interfering or not with the leader's initial idea, and "return" the leadership without losing rhythm and timing.

Having a fairly broad knowledge of the Forró universe, the technical work intensifies, and you begin to strive for an open, challenging, and interactive dialogue with your partner. The understanding of music will be even more explored at this level, allowing you to make more appropriate choices for your personality, both on and off the dance floor.

Level Progression

Beginners 1 lasts for one trimester. All other levels (Beginners 2, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2) have a minimum duration of two trimesters, with different content covered in each.

At the end of each trimester, our teachers will advise students on their progress and whether they are ready to move up to the next level. This is based on day-to-day observation of student progress rather than a single evaluation day.