BrasilFest was created in 1999 by Brazilian immigrants Eduardo and Ana Paula Mendonça
Board of Directors
Ana Paula Marques Mendonça
Ana Paula was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and has lived in the United States since 1987. She was Co-Owner of Café Brasil Restaurant in Seattle, and created and supported “Projeto Alegria”, an organization that gives to families in need in Itupeva, São Paulo. Ana Paula is also Promoter and Co-Founder of Show Brazil Productions, a Seattle-area company created in 1995 to promote Brazilian arts and education opportunities in the U.S and Canada. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Brazil Center/ BrasilFest, a nonprofit organization that produces the area’s best-known Brazilian festival, held at the Seattle Center since 1999. Also, the General Administrator Supervisor at The Roadhouse is supported by Sound Transit.
Eduardo Mendonça
Eduardo was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Eduardo is a guitarist, percussionist, singer, composer, and director of "Show Brazil!".He traces his heritage to a royal African family called "Mama Beka", meaning “Prophet of the Royal Court".Eduardo Mendonça has played, composed, and directed various genres of Brazilian popular music in the US, Canada, Nepal, and Brazil since 1974. Eduardo has performed for many notable personalities, including the 14th Dalai Lama, Pope John Paul II, and former South African President Nelson Mandela, and he was featured in the PBS American Masters documentary, Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time. Also, the Managing Director for The Roadhouse is supported by Sound Transit.
Larissa Prates
Larissa was born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. She has always been interested in strengthening the Brazilian community in Seattle, founding in 2016 the group Pesquisadores e Universitarios Brasileiros em Seattle (PUB Seattle) focused on Brazilian researchers and university students at the University of Washington, where she was pursuing her doctorate. She currently works as a data scientist but continues to contribute to the dissemination of Brazil and its culture.
Daniela Mauler
“Daniela Mauler (Dani) is a Rio de Janeiro native who has called the Seattle area home for 18 years. She has been actively engaged in arts and cultural initiatives in both Brazil and the United States, contributing in performance, production, and volunteer leadership roles.
Her experience includes work with the Microsoft Theater Troupe and Lá Dentro da Mata–US, as well as performing locally with her Brazilian pop/rock duo No Repro and her band Projeto Bê. Daniela is committed to building community and strengthening cross-cultural connections through the arts.
She is honored to serve on the Brazil Center Board and support its mission to deepen cultural ties between Brazil and the Pacific Northwest.”
Anderson Penha
Dr. Anderson Penha, hailing from the heart of the Brazilian Amazon in Manaus, is a highly accomplished physician. He has pursued specialized training in anesthesiology, pain medicine, and occupational medicine, showcasing a stellar dedication to the medical field. Since making the United States his professional home in 2015, he has significantly contributed to the healthcare landscape through extensive research, clinical practice, and entrepreneurial ventures.Dr. Penha's passion for Brazilian and Latin American culture is an integral part of his identity. He actively seeks to share the wonders of Brazil by engaging with communities and fostering a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultural tapestry.
Jonathan Batista
Jonathan Batista received scholarships to train at the EnglishNational Ballet, Miami City Ballet School, and The Royal BalletSchool.His impressive career includes performances with renownedcompanies such as the English National Ballet, Miami CityBallet, The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet,Cincinnati Ballet, and Oklahoma City Ballet. In 2021, Jonathanjoined the Pacific Northwest Ballet as a Soloist, achieving aswift promotion to Principal Dancer in 2022
Steven Silverman
Caxambu works tirelessly, constantly, and unselfishly promoting Brazilian arts and culture in the Pacific Northwest, primarily as a musician and capoeirista. Since forming the first Samba-Reggae band in Seattle in the mid-90s he has remained active and involved in the Brazilian community and continues to this day playing for dance classes, music and dance performances, teaching in schools, and helping stage Brazilian cultural events. Steven was born in Los Angele,CA.
Patricia Fox
Committee Members
Evangivaldo Santana
Evangivaldo Santana was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and grew up in the Brotas section of Salvador. He was educated as a Nursing Assistant with a specialty in industrial medicine in Rio de Janeiro. He also graduated from culinary school in Bahia. During his time at the Federal University in Bahia he was involved in Projeto Rondon, a cultural and educational mission into the countryside.He is now married to his partner David Locke, and resides on Whidbey Island.
Lindsey Dabek
Lindsey was born in Seatte, WA. Lindsey is a shop manager at the Seattle Art Museum. She was a student of Latin American studies at the University of Washington. She sang with Eduardo Mendonca and The MusicWorks Northwest Brazilian Jazz Combo Seattle Brasilfest.
Claudia Sá
Claudia was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and now lives in Seattle WA. This music and art lover says Singing and Writing are her passions. She has a bachelor's degree in Library Science - Information Technology, and she is pursuing a second bachelor’s in Computer Science.She says, “Smile is my best friend.”