Jarina Carvalho

A native of Brazil and American citizen as of 2011, Jarina  moved to the United States to complete her classical ballet training on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet in New York City. She then danced with the Dance Theater of Harlem’s Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble, formally joining the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) in 2000. While at DTH, Ms. Carvalho performed roles in classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballet works. 

 In 2004 she moved to New Orleans and performed with New Orleans Ballet Theater, The Sandra Organ Dance Company (during her stay in Houston after Hurricane Katrina), and Chard Gonzalez Dance Theater. In 2009, she graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Biological Sciences

 Ms. Carvalho has been teaching in New Orleans since 2004 in various schools as a master teacher. Most notably, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and Tulane University Department of Theater and Dance.

 In 2015 she opened her own dance school, Live Oak Dance, and in 2019 Live Oak Dance became the official school of the Marigny Opera Ballet. Due to the pandemic of 2020 Ms. Carvalho opted to close the physical school, however, she continues to coach ballet students in town and all over the world.

 While teaching and directing Live Oak Dance, Jarina Carvalho took a position as the Rehearsal Director at the Marigny Opera Ballet in 2017. Subsequently she was promoted to Company Director and Ballet Master (2022-2024). The Marigny Opera Ballet was pivotal on Ms. Carvalho’s opportunities to grow as a professional choreographer and Arts Administrator. 

 Currently she is getting her master's degree in counseling at the University of New Orleans, teaching at Artivism Dance Theatre, and The Dance Project in Slidell.