World Dance Center

Owned and operated by Conceição Damasceno, World Dance Center is both a Brazilian cultural center and a dance studio. Bay Area residents can take advantage of the many Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian dance classes taught every week by Damasceno. Dance classes are both a physically invigorating and a culturally rich experience, incorporating indigenous, African and Portuguese influences.

World Dance Center also offers many classes from diverse cultures, for both adults and children. Classes run on an ongoing basis, so new comers can jump in any time. Check our class schedule for details on classes that are for children or for adults geared for all levels, beginners or intermediate/advanced students.

But there are also higher aspirations for the space. One of them is to offer scholarships to children who would not have the opportunity to attend dance classes for economic reasons. Currently Conceicao is providing dance education to students in Richmond Public Schools. Children are on the main focal point of the studio. In that spirit, Conceição Damasceno created the Borboletas Children's Dance Troupe. Borboletas, which means butterflies, is the San Francisco Bay Area's first Brazilian dance troupe for children. Its mission is to teach children the traditional dances of Brazil and to educate students about the deeper cultural meanings that lie at the core of all Brazilian dance and music.