The Boulder Samba School is a non-profit  501(c)3 organization that promotes the rich heritage of Brazilian music, dance, and culture.  Founded in Boulder, CO, in January 2009, it was the first of its kind in the area, and has since been the inspiration for many organizations in our state.

Since 2009, BSS has established a vibrant, growing community in Boulder focused on Brazilian music, dance and culture. As the  school’s  first performance ensemble, Bateria Alegria has grown from a 6-person group to a 25-30 person  high energy ensemble. They now perform at BolderBoulder and other regional events.

The BSS offers ongoing classes in Brazilian music and percussion for students of all levels and abilities, sponsors clinics with guest Brazilian music teachers, and collaborates with local dance companies. 

In an effort to further its mission, BSS organized the first annual Colorado Brazil Fest (CBF) in 2012 with three days of performances, classes and workshops. Since then, CBF has grown into a well-loved and established festival attracting an expanding audience with attendees from Colorado and elsewhere. 

Alegria Dancers is the  newest  performing ensemble of the Boulder Samba School.  Their goal is to share the many ways  Brazilian dance and music go together while celebrating the culture and traditions behind them.  The group is a combination of advanced amateur  and professional dancers. The group started in 2025 under the leadership and direction  of Maren Waldman and it continues to grow.  The Alegria Dancers perform a variety of styles  of Brazilian dance including Samba no Pe , samba reggae, and more.  They work in close collaboration with musical director Carl Dixon. The group has open rolling auditions  and is accepting new members.  Please contact Maren Waldman directly  if you are interested. Email to marenwaldman@gmail.com or go to  www.marenwaldman.com

Today, Boulder has  become a major national hub for Brazilian music and dance. BSS now has an established core of committed and active participants, with a demonstrated track record of engaging thousands of local residents in single events and educational programs. BSS has drawn headline artists from Brazil to anchor their tours in Colorado. BSS also plays a major role in increasing the collaborative capacity for local organizations to work together to engage the broader community in Brazilian music and dance.

Musical Director Carl Dixon

Carl Dixon is the director of Bateria Alegria and the lead instructor of the Boulder Samba School.  He is a professional percussionist, and holds degrees in percussion performance from the University of Colorado-Boulder (MM) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (BM). Carl performs with the Brazilian music band Ginga.

Besides Brazilian music, Carl plays in professional orchestras, jazz and world music ensembles, teaches percussion and world music at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and teaches private lessons in all styles and percussion instruments.  For more information, visit www.carldixondrums.com.