Maristela is Brazilian-born, Canadian by choice, and speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish. She joined FFA in 2014 as a student and quickly became a volunteer. In 2017, After a brief period of no classes and difficulty in finding a venue, Maristela reopened the group, and it has grown into what you see now, thanks to Maristela's passion for the forró family community we've built in Toronto.

Serial punster, beach addict, chips eater, better dancer than singer. A pro at quoting songs. "Se não fosse o forró, o que seria de mim, Deus meu?"

Joined FFA on 2021, because it was about time I learnt how to dance! Always hungry for food, socials, or a new way to do a backflip. Originally from São Paulo (meaning not a natural forró dancer), it took me a lot of effort to learn. If even I did it, so can you! Challenge me at (almost) any sport, I dare you :)

Sérgio joined FFA in August 2022 and became a volunteer in March 2023. He discovered his passion for Forró and dancing in his hometown (Sao Paulo), and after more than a year living in Toronto and missing Forró, he found out about our community and is an assiduous member ever since.

Jimmy dances in general to bring more play into grown-up life; and dances forró in particular because he adores its folksy sentimentality. He hopes to be able to share a sense of lighthearted spontaneity with whomever he dances.

Also known as The Math Wiz of Forró, Fernando’s best equation is keeping Forró For All thriving! From thinking he’d never learn to dance to mastering five-step spins, he’s proof that numbers and rhythm go hand in hand. Loved by all, he’s as precise with his moves as he is with the books!

Nesrin joined FFA in 2019 with a love of Brazilian arts and culture. Excited to be contributing to the growing force of forró in the city. Budding triangulist. Will never say no to dessert

Clara encountered FFA by chance at the University of Toronto, introduced to the group by someone who convinced her that forró was similar to Irish dance (it is not, but she was hooked anyway). When not dancing forró, Clara writes, competes in Irish dance at the Open Championship level, bakes pies, organizes events, volunteers as a print shop apprentice, and tries desperately to make proper sourdough. Her favorite things about being part of FFA is sparking the love of dance in others and seeing how people draw joy from the community.

Vini Joined FFA in 2015 as a student, when he learned his very first steps. After a few months, he moved to Brazil and co-founded a forró group in his hometown to keep the fire burning. After a few years and participating of a number of forró festivals, he moved back to Toronto in 2021 and joined the group as it was resuming its activities in the post-covid era. Vini is very curious about the history of forró and its traditions.

From Recife, the capital of frevo, Ivan is proof that big energy comes with an even bigger heart! Don’t be fooled by his size; he’s our gentle giant, always bringing warmth, positivity, and a helping hand. A full-sized Pollyanna, he’s always in a good mood and makes everyone feel welcome, from first-timers to seasoned dancers.

A passionate dancer, instructor, and forrozeira arretada, Josy lives and breathes Northeastern culture! With roots in quadrilha junina and years dedicated to forró, she advocates for active following and conscious dancing.

Cem joined FFA in 2019 as a beginner coming from a salsa background. He's been enjoying dancing forró since then and has been involved heavily with the club to help bring it the attention it deserves in Toronto. Cem enjoys coming up with new moves that he can use to ensure chaos on the dancefloor.

Marketa first visited Brazil in 2006 and since then, she loves everything Brazilian - food, culture, music, people, and... dance! Her first forró party was at a Brazilian island Ilhabela and since then, she has been looking for a forró community - until she found FFA. She loves gafieira maybe even a little more - but that's a story for another bio.

Sal joined FFA in 2015, when she was invited by her Colombian housemate who was doing her PhD in Brazil and an exchange program in Toronto. She loves and champions the FFA community's friendly and very non-competitive nature. Sal loves teaching newcomers and loves watching them learn new skills and grow into regular members of the group. Sal's parents are from India, and they have lived in Canada since She was one year old. Since she joined FFA, Sal has been mistaken for a Brazilian on more than one occasion.

Renata used to dance forró in her teenage years in São Paulo, Brazil. Discovering FFA was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with a dance that had been such an important part of her life. After joining as a student, she is now happy to contribute as a photographer, lending her creative eye to capture the joy and energy of the community.