Brazilian dancer Jonia Queen brings the roots of Brazil’s Afro-influenced rhythms to U.S. stages through Raiz Brazil Dance Company. From samba to frevo, her work blends tradition, innovation, and cultural pride across America and beyond.
By Lindenberg Junior
Her love and respect for dance and performing arts began in early childhood in Brazil. Over the years, this passion evolved into a mission: to promote Brazilian cultural roots through dance in the United States.
After performing with multiple dance groups across America, Jonia Queen founded Raiz Brazil Dance Company (Roots of Brazil) during Sambala Organization’s Carnival Ball in 2008, marking a new chapter in Brazilian cultural representation abroad.
From Recife to Los Angeles: A Cultural Journey
Born in Recife, one of Brazil’s three cities with the strongest African cultural influences, Jonia later grew up in São Paulo before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her artistic dreams.
Since then, she has performed with major samba groups in the L.A. area, including “The Girls from Ipanema” and “Extravadancers.” Her career includes sharing the stage with legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Sergio Mendes, Seu Jorge, and Bebel Gilberto.
Her performances have taken place in iconic venues across the U.S., including:
Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles)
Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles)
Fox Theatre (Detroit)
Caesar’s Palace (Las Vegas)
International Performances and Global Reach
With Raiz Brazil Dance Company, Jonia’s work has gone far beyond American borders. She has performed internationally in Bangkok, Thailand, and in Hunan, China, during the Changsha International Arts Festival, expanding the global reach of Brazilian dance traditions.
Preserving Samba Roots Through Teaching and Performance
Jonia began studying Samba de Gafieira, a traditional Brazilian ballroom dance, several years ago. Since 2012, she has performed with her dance partner and has also become a dedicated instructor, teaching students interested in learning this classic partnered samba style.
“I wanted to make art and entertainment come together, exploring Brazilian rhythms like samba, axé, samba-reggae and frevo, and fusing them with other dance techniques such as ballet, jazz, modern, and hip-hop,” Jonia explains.
“My goal is to bring fun, sexy, and classy entertainment to audiences watching my group on stage, as well as to my students in class.”
Awards, Titles, and Artistic Recognition
A mother of two, Jonia combines elegance, athleticism, and technical mastery across a wide range of styles, including samba, frevo, maracatu, xaxado, forró, as well as Latin and modern dance forms.
She has won major Brazilian dance competitions in Southern California, such as:
“Queen of the Drums” (Rainha da Bateria) – Sambala Samba School of Long Beach
“Samba no Pé” – San Diego Brazil Carnival
In 2014, due to her extensive participation in the Annual Santa Barbara Brazilian Carnaval, Jonia was honored with the title “Santa Barbara Carnival Queen 2014.” She proudly wore the sash while leading the Bloco Carnaval during the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade.
Her career also includes broad participation in beauty and dance competitions throughout the United States, solidifying her status as a cultural ambassador of Brazilian dance.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Jonia Queen?
Jonia Queen is a Brazilian dancer and cultural ambassador based in Los Angeles, known for promoting Brazilian dance traditions in the U.S.
2. What is Raiz Brazil Dance Company?
Founded in 2008, Raiz Brazil Dance Company showcases Brazilian rhythms such as samba, frevo, and samba-reggae through performances and classes.
3. Where has Jonia Queen performed?
She has performed across the U.S. and internationally, including Thailand and China, in renowned venues and cultural festivals.
4. What dance styles does she specialize in?
Her repertoire includes samba, samba de gafieira, frevo, maracatu, forró, axé, and modern dance styles.
5. Does Jonia Queen teach dance classes?
Yes. Since 2012, she has taught samba de gafieira and other Brazilian dance styles to students in the U.S.
