Vera Passos (choreographer/dancer) is considered one of Salvador Bahia’s most elegant and eloquent contemporary Afro-Brazilian dancers.  The Los Angeles Times called Passos, “exotic, strong but sylphlike.”  Passos has danced for Jorge Silva Dance Company and the acclaimed Bale Folclórico da Bahia touring throughout Brazil, Europe, Asia, the US and South America for ten years.  Passos began her dance training at the age of 14 at the State of Bahia’s Escola de Dança subsequently training in the Silvestre Technique in 1992 with Rosangela Silvestre. Silvestre’s protégé,  Passos has taught the technique since 2002 in Salvador and throughout Brazil, South America, Europe and the US. Her extensive technique seamlessly encompasses modern dance, classical ballet, dança afro, jazz, and traditional Afro-Brazilian. Vera performed with jazzman Steve Coleman throughout Europe in 2002 and 2003.  Passos choreographs for Tocandomblé and in 2010,  participated in the first annual Viver Brasil Institute in Los Angeles as a technical trainer and visiting artist.She also danced in the opera Lidia de Oxum, choreographed by Carlos Moraes.In 2015, she premiered her first full-length work for Viver Brasil, Peace Transcends, at the Aratani Theatre in Los Angeles. In 2016 she choreographed and performed in the company’s Bloco Afro Spectacle for the Olympic Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl.