Meet The Instructor

Sophie Contreras

Director, Passista Vila Isabel & Samba Instructor

Sophie Contreras is a samba instructor, latin dancer, trained Physiotherapist, & Pilates Instructor. She is also a Passista for the Rio samba schools of GRES Unidos de Vila Isabel and G.R.E.S.E Império da Tijuca. Sophie travels to Brazil regularly to train with the best Brazilian artists, ensuring she stays up to date with samba and also to take part in the famous Rio Carnaval, parading in the Passista ala for her school. Sophie has been teaching samba around Melbourne since 2015 when she founded Fisica Dance and prior to that taught for DanceMyWay Brazilian and Latin dance company at Pineapple Dance studios in Covent Garden, London, while living in the UK.

Sophie first began her Latin dance training in 2000 in Latin ballroom in Melbourne before later taking up salsa and subsequently samba in 2011. Sophie has travelled extensively and lived abroad for many years and has had the chance to train with dance professionals in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba and Europe.

Sophie decided to combine all her dance, Pilates and movement teaching experience and follow her true passion to create Fisica. Although she no longer practices as a Physio, Fisica combines her professional knowledge with dance teaching – helping students gain a deeper awareness of their body and their own movement. Sophie is passionate about teaching and loves the way dance, movement and music can help her students gain self-confidence, fitness and well-being regardless of age or experience.