The American Lambada Organization Lambada Curriculum
All dance forms are dynamic; they change over time. While this is expectable – and even desirable – some dance forms that arose in earlier times were unable to withstand the metamorphoses. Lambada has survived many adversarial events over the years – censorship, attempts to stop it, and even the burning of lambada dance spaces. We do not want to see Lambada deteriorate or die, because we believe it is beautiful and vital, and deserves an important place among the dances of the world. We are committed to see Lambada grow in the USA and in the world.
To this end, we are posting a syllabus to help Teachers and Students understand the foundational pathways to mastering the dance. Below you will find our suggested curriculum and syllabus for Instructors and Students. Following this will give the student a solid grounding in Lambada. Note that we have not included all possible variations, styles, or contemporary adaptations.
This is the Foundation, from our Patron, Master Braz. Note that each level should ideally be split into two sections, for example: Beginner 1 and Beginner 2. Combinations should be given frequently, to solidify what has previously been taught. We encourage all students to learn to both lead and follow, right from the novice stage.
THE AMERICAN LAMBADA ORGANIZATION STRONGLY URGES WOULD-BE TEACHERS TO SEEK AUTHENTIC AND CORRECT TRAINING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TEACH LAMBADA. AND WE URGE WOULD-BE STUDENTS TO TRAIN ONLY WITH QUALIFIED TEACHERS RECOMMENDED IN THE ‘TEACHERS’ SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE.
American Lambada Organization
Foundational Curriculum
Beginner syllabus
History and philosophy and culture of Lambada
Dance floor etiquette
Preparing to dance – warm-up and injury prevention
Basic Lambada rhythm
Basic weight distribution and mode of stepping
Basic Steps 1-6 (link to demos)
Beginner partner hold
Basic steps in hold
Introduction to Diagonal preparation for turns.
Basic turns inside and outside using Diagonal
‘Bundinho’ / twist ending to turns
‘Question and Answer’ turns with partner
Soltinho with diagonal preparation
Three-step turns around leader. Spotting
Cambré preparation (knee-sit)
Cambré with held back
Simple pião
Boneca simple (just shoulders)
Boneca simple, in hold
Chicote – using Basic 2
Beginner Wi Fi – Question and Answer turns, boneca and chicote
Cambré in high diagonal
Cambré with weight on back foot for stability.
Elastico
Cross-arm turns
Cross-stepping with back to partner
Cross stepping, raising knee
Vovó
Body rolls with and without partner
Master Braz jump
Beginner combos
Beginner musicality
Beginner creativity
Beginner musical intros
Beginner roda
Beginner birthday dance technique
intermediate syllabus
Intermediate philosophy, ethics, culture and history
Preparing to dance for Intermediate students – warm-up and injury prevention
Revise Basic Steps 1-6 and all beginner steps from the Beginner Syllabus
Intermediate partner hold
Two-step turns around leader
Pião with head movements (with and without exit)
Chicote
Chicote / open to diagonal and inside turn
Chicote, open, single turn
Turning Boneca
Intermediate Wi Fi
Roasted Chicken (frango asado)
Single and double turns without partner
Cambre with final step in front and behind
Cambre with hips together
Chicote/Cambre combination
Elastico
Intermediate roda
Underarm turn
Intermediate combos
Intermediate musicality
Intermediate creativity
Intermediate stealing and swapping
Intermediate musical intros
Intermediate birthday dance technique
advanced syllabus
Advanced philosophy, history, culture and ethics
Professional Conduct and Attitude
Advanced preparation to dance – warm-up and injury prevention
Advanced partner connections
Revisit all Beginner and Intermediate steps and technique
Advanced Boneca
Boneca with bump and turn
Boneca with led turns – single, double, triple
Boneca Desprezada
Mergulho
Pião with head movements – reverse direction
Helicopter turns
Triple turns with partner
Triple turns without partner
Advanced Cambres
Advanced Stealing and Swapping. Resisting a Steal.
Lamba Tres, Quatro etc.
Advanced Wi Fi
Wi Fi spins
Bent Knee spins
Change-Arm spins (1 and 2)
Turns behind head
Advanced combos
Advanced styling
Advanced musicality and creativity