Education & Classes in El Segundo

Founded in 1989 by Mestre Amen Santo—the choreographer who added a touch of authenticity to the capoeira scenes in 1993’s Only The Strong —Brasil Brasil Cultural Center hosts classes in Brazil’s signature martial art alongside lessons in other multicultural disciplines. Like a fight with the cast of a variety show, capoeira combines martial artistry, dance, and acrobatics, fusing them into a stylized Afro-Brazilian art form. To complement capoeira sessions—available to adults as well as children aged 4 and older—instructors also teach Portuguese language classes, health classes and dance classes. Students can also cut rugs in dance styles such as the samba, West African dance, and belly dancing, and youngsters can get their first taste of Brazilian rhythms through workshops with the Ballet Folclórico Do Brasil, a dance company that reaches more than 50,000 children annually.

Using experience gleaned over years as a broker and educational consultant, Kartik Subramaniam and Adhi Schools have been guiding students toward real-estate licensure since 2003. With detailed online and in-person courses, Adhi helps prepare each pupil for the California license exam via included textbooks, three preparatory exams, and a guide to garage-door whispering. The school also assists graduates by placing them in contact with brokerages to start their new careers. The Adhi Schools' curriculum is recognized by leaders in the real-estate field, from large brokerages including Century 21 and Prudential to national training companies.

In his half-century-long career as a dance instructor, Lou Schreiber has taught more than 50,000 students the art of turning heads on the ballroom floor. His passion for acquainting students with their inner sense of rhythm led to a position as master trainer of dance instructors during an eight-year stint at Arthur Murray Dance Studios, after which Lou launched his own dance school: Walk In Dance Out. From his school's three locations, he leads students in waltz, swing, Latin, and disco styles with boundless energy and humor, channeling the expertise that has served him well at national competitions and spinning contests against the earth itself.

Lou's step-by-step teaching methods put pupils of all ages at ease, whether they are attending group or private lessons. Other instructors might drop in to assist Lou in choreographing west coast swing performances and personalized wedding-day routines, showing brides how to use their dress's train as a cushion while they do the worm.

Experienced trapeze artist Ray Pierce began his circus training on the tightrope in 1976. More than 30 years later, he and his highly trained staff at his company, Hollywood Aerial Arts, devote their time to every aspect of the art form, from choreographing their own aerial acts to designing custom rigs to teaching the next generation of artists how to maneuver through the air. They reference their collective backgrounds in the circus, Pilates, stunt work, and dance to teach group workshops inside their 10,000 square-foot facility. All of the classes supply students with safely lines and a spotting belt, and the majority of the classes focus on a specific apparatus. These include the aerial bungee, aerial hammock, spanish web, tightrope, tissu, or flying trapeze, which is performed on the facility's 32-foot-high outdoor trapeze equipped with a safety system and animatronic clown cheerleaders.

Makela Brizuela lends her name to Makela Tango, a dance-education emporium that specializes in the characteristic dance of Brizuela’s homeland, Argentina. She organizes classes that cater to learners at every level with informal practices, basic lessons, intermediate instruction, and classes about dancing in heels. Brizuela brings more than a decade of dance experience to the table, having honed her craft at the National School of Ballet of Argentina. Over the years, she’s taken advantage of prestigious opportunities such as performing at the Ford Amphitheater and creating, producing, and directing a cabaret show at the Museum of Latin American Art. The tango that she teaches is characterized by passion, joy, and ease of movement. On her company’s FAQ page, she recommends that, before class, pupils shower, floss, and go easy on any perfume that might offend a partner or attract hornets.

From 18 studios scattered around Los Angeles, Lori Moran Music Studios’ armada of instructors offers all-ages voice, piano, guitar, violin, and composition classes. With teachers who have worked on films such as Dreamgirls and Dance Flick, world-touring operatic productions, and Grammy-nominated choral CDs, the school can cater to virtually every musical taste—from classical to jazz to pop. Students choose the emphasis of their lessons, whether they want to work on their public performance skills, write their own songs, sight-read scores, or simply be able to play musical chairs during a power outage. Many will also get the chance to show off in recitals, concerts, and showcases.