Bernadette O'farrell

Bernadette’s love for samba began in 2021 when she sought to make a meaningful shift in her life. Bernadette started classes in Melbourne and soon joined Sashya Jay via the Escola de Samba Sydney online membership. Drawn to the Carlinhos Salgueiro technique, and Sashya’s dedication to fostering an inclusive community, Bernadette quickly became a devoted member of the Escola family, embracing her online training with commitment and passion. In 2023, Bernadette had the honour of performing at Rio’s Carnaval with Unidos de Bangu and was able to fully immerse herself in the culture that had inspired her from the start.

Since starting her samba journey, Bernadette has danced with a variety of samba communities and performance groups in Melbourne, and her involvement has seen her collaborate with passionate dancers across various events including community festivals. But for Bernadette, samba is not just about dancing and performing - it is about community, culture, and integrity.

Bernadette is now eager to pass on her passion to others. Her goal is not only to help students develop their samba technique, but to provide them with a strong sense of community as well as deepen their understanding of samba’s rich history and cultural significance. ‘To me, Samba is a source of grounding; rooted in its history, its community, and the way it is performed. It has helped me discover strength and power within myself to overcome challenges, no matter how small they may be, and I want to share that with others.