Camila Alves joins TIPDI for the first time with our third TIPDI DUO event and is also scheduled to return for our Original TIPDI in July 2026. A massively popular Forró teacher worldwide, Camila’s accessible, clear, and fun classes have not only shaped Lisbon into being one of the best Forró scenes, they have also spawned a noticeable group of excellent teachers.

Camila Alves was born in 1993 in Lisbon, Portugal, and has been connected to dance from a young age, influenced by her mother, who is also a dancer and teacher. In her teenage years, she explored styles such as Argentine Tango, Salsa, Kizomba & Semba, and Hip-Hop. Captivated by Forró in 2010 when she was just 17, Camila embarked on a trajectory as a Forró teacher, teaching group classes, private classes, and instructing at festivals globally since 2012.

Today, Camila teaches in Lisbon and at festivals worldwide, having taught in 23 countries across 4 continents. Her teaching style is distinguished by a feminist approach, which challenges traditional gender norms by decoupling the roles of leaders and followers from gender identity. With a focus on the technical foundations of Forró, she promotes individual freedom of expression in dance, encouraging creativity and connection between people.

Additionally, she founded Xiado da Xinela shop in 2019, offering creative clothing and accessories for Forró lovers. With an active presence on social media, Camila also offers specialized consultancy services for teachers and Forró communities that wish to boost their projects. Her work helps them expand their visibility, develop growth strategies, and enhance their teaching skills, promoting more effective and sustainable development in their initiatives and approaches to teaching.

We are super excited to be on her teaching calendar twice in 2026!