OUR TEAM
ANINHA MALANDRO
FOUNDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER, MASTER SAMBA INSTRUCTOR
Ana Carla Laidley is a renowned Samba instructor, born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She was exposed to the art and culture of Samba from an early age, thanks to her father, Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro, a famous musician of the traditional Samba School, Estacao Primeira de Mangueira, and her mother, one of the first Passistas (Samba dancers) who performed with several renowned artists and performing groups in Brazil and internationally.
Ana’s passion for Samba led her to debut in the Samba Schools parade at the age of 5, and she continued to parade for over 20 years. After immigrating to the USA, Ana began teaching Samba by integrating traditional and contemporary Samba styles. Her classes provide a space for people to develop their knowledge and understanding of Brazilian culture while reconnecting with their body, mind, and soul.
Over the past twenty years, Ana has studied various styles of Samba from the 50s to the present, including its roots in Jongo. She has created the group SambaNMotion & MalandroNMotion and choreographed several numbers that reflect her understanding and passion for the Samba de Malandro, Gafieira, and other styles of this unique form of dance.
Ana has taught at several Brazilian events and performed with different dance groups and Brazilian organizations. She has planned trips to Brazil to help her students experience Samba and Brazilian culture and has promoted several Brazilian events to share and celebrate Brazilian culture outside Brazil.
Also, she is the creator of one of the most important and biggest Samba events outside Brazil: The International Samba Congress, and recently she just launched the Gafieira Express in Los Angeles.
NICOLEA PETTIS
PERFORMER
Nicolea Pettis is a true triple threat. She can sing, dance, and act. She started performing in musicals at the age of 6 with the OC Black Actors Theatre. She has appeared in several musical productions, including playing Desta (lead) in “Return the Musical” directed and choreographed by Mr. Donald Mckayle. Her vocal recording credits include the SBC Gospel Choir’s album, “Rest in Me” (soprano).
Nicolea trained in ballet, hip hop, African, and contemporary dance styles, but fell in love with Samba. She has paraded in several Carnavals in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, with legendary Samba Schools such as; Manguiera, Passista with Unia De Ilha , and Passista with Imperio Da Tijuca.
Nicolea has danced her way into samba royalty winning the coveted titles of Samba Queen USA, USA Samba Princess, and USA Samba Diva. Recently she competed in the Brasil Samba Congress World Champion Passista Competition, were she has been ranked as one of the top 12 female Passistas in the World.
Nicolea has also performed with talented artists from Sergio Mendes to rapper B.O,B. Nicolea loves to perform and share the joy of the arts. She accredits her success to God, Faith, Friends and Family
JENNY GARCIA
PERFORMER
Jenny Garcia has been dancing samba for over a decade. She began dancing as a high school student in the Soul of Afro Brail Club at Hamilton High, and has known and danced with Ana Laidley since that time. Samba has brought empowerment, joy, embodiment, expression, and harmony to Jenny’s life. She holds a Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, and maintains a private practice in Los Angeles.
AMRAHU IBRAHEEM
PERFORMER
Amrahu was proclaimed King of Samba in AZ for three consecutive years. He has an extensive dance background. He also participate in the first Brasil Samba Congress Passista contest in Rio de Janeiro where he received specialized trainings and participate as passista in the Rio de Janeiro Samba parade.
BRIAN VILLALOBOS
PERFORMER
Brian is a socal native that currently dances with Malandro n Motion.
Brian brings more than 14 years of dance experience including jazz, tap, hip hop, ballroom, and b Brazilian samba.
Brian started his journey at the academy of intentional dance, and then went Orange county of performing arts. after high school he continued to dance with teachers.
Brian currently holds "King" national title for 2018
LAURA COGGINS
PERFORMER
Originally from Maine, Laura began her artistic journey with MNM in 2014. Since then, she has performed with the group both locally and abroad, including at the Brasil Samba Congress in Rio de Janeiro. Laura is also a member of L.A.-based Raiz Brazil Dance Company, with whom she has danced alongside the likes of Sergio Mendes at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.
Her relationship with dance began early on as a student of jazz and ballet. As an adult, latin dance genres captured her attention and eventually led her to samba. Laura is a person whom George Balanchine would describe not as someone who wants to dance, but as someone who has to dance. She moonlights as a CPA, for fun.
