We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alessandra Silva a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alessandra, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity, for me, is like breathing — it comes from movement, color, and energy. *Aquarelle of Samba* was born from my desire to connect people to their ancestry and their inner rhythm. I keep creativity alive by listening — to the drums, to nature, and to my intuition. Every dance, every color in the costume, and every beat tells a story.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Alessandra Silva, and I’m the creator of Aquarelle of Samba — a project that celebrates the ancestral roots of Brazilian culture through dance, art, and healing. My work combines movement, spirituality, and creative expression to help people reconnect with their energy and joy.
Aquarelle of Samba is more than a dance project; it’s a space for transformation. Through samba — especially samba no pé and samba de roda — I help people, particularly women, find confidence, balance, and self-love. I believe dance is a sacred language of the soul, a way to release pain, to heal, and to celebrate life.
What makes this work so special to me is witnessing the emotional shifts that happen in my classes. Seeing someone go from shy or disconnected to glowing and alive — that’s magic. I want everyone to feel free to dance their own way, to express their ancestry and individuality without comparison or competition.
Beyond the dance classes, I’m also developing Aquarelle Movement is the branch of my work dedicated to healing through ancestral dance — especially samba de roda, one of the oldest and most spiritual forms of samba.
It’s a space where we use dance not only as movement, but as medicine — a way to connect with our roots, release emotions, and restore our vital energy.
Everything I do is guided by gratitude, ancestral wisdom, and love. My mission is to bring light, joy, and connection — reminding people that through dance, we can heal, rise, and shine together.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities that shaped my path are creativity, resilience, and cultural awareness.
Creativity has been my compass — it’s how I tell stories through color, rhythm, and movement. My advice: let curiosity lead you; creativity grows when you explore without fear.
Resilience taught me to stay grounded during challenges, especially as an artist living far from home. Protect your energy and trust your process — growth takes time.
Cultural awareness gives meaning to everything I do. Honoring my Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous roots keeps my work authentic and connected to spirit. Learn your history, listen to your ancestors, and let that knowledge shape your art.
“True art begins where creativity, strength, and ancestry meet.”
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest area of growth in the past year has been learning how to protect my creative energy while staying true to my mission. There were moments when people tried to take my ideas, projects, or connections and use them without honesty or acknowledgment. It was painful to see work born from trust and love being used in ways that didn’t reflect its original spirit.
But instead of allowing that to break me, I chose to grow from it. I learned to set boundaries, to register my work, to collaborate with integrity, and most importantly — to trust the guidance of my ancestors and spirituality. These experiences taught me that no one can truly steal your essence. Your light, your originality, and your truth always find their way back to you.
“My growth has been in turning disappointment into wisdom, and pain into creative power.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www..aquarelleofsamba.com
- Instagram: AquarelleofSamba
- Facebook: Aquarelleofsamba
Image Credits
Wardrobe & Design: Alessandra Silva
Makeup: Angela Deeb
Outfit: Sahra Fashion – Midtown Global Market
Photography: Natania Kamin – Revolution Photography
Aquarelle of Samba by Alessandra Silva
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
