Carlinhos Salgueiro – King of Império da Rainha

In July 2026, Império da Rainha had the immense honour of welcoming Carlinhos Salgueiro to London for an unforgettable weekend of workshops, performances and cultural exchange.

Direct from Rio de Janeiro, Carlinhos is one of the most influential figures in Brazilian Carnaval and the visionary Artistic Director behind the legendary Passistas of Acadêmicos do Salgueiro.

Widely regarded as the gold standard of Samba no Pé, the Passistas do Salgueiro are celebrated for their elegance, power, technique and unmistakable style. Under Carlinhos' artistic leadership, the Ala de Passistas has won the prestigious Estandarte de Ouro for Best Ala de Passistas on three occasions, cementing its place amongst the most respected passista groups in Rio de Janeiro.

Creator of the internationally acclaimed Samba Diva Method, Carlinhos has trained generations of elite dancers, including many of Rio's leading Passistas, Musas and Rainhas de Bateria. His influence extends far beyond Brazil, inspiring samba dancers across the world with a teaching philosophy rooted in authenticity, musicality, elegance and expression.

Throughout an extraordinary weekend in London, participants experienced Carlinhos' unique methodology through workshops, private lessons and performances, culminating in an unforgettable Performance Lab accompanied by the live rhythms of Império da Rainha's bateria.

As a symbol of our admiration, gratitude and the deep bond between our school and Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, Carlinhos was officially crowned King of Império da Rainha.

This honour represents far more than a title. It celebrates a shared commitment to preserving and promoting authentic Brazilian samba, strengthening the cultural bridge between Rio de Janeiro and London, and inspiring future generations of dancers and musicians.

At Império da Rainha, we remain committed to creating opportunities for our community to learn directly from the greatest names in Brazilian Carnaval. Welcoming artists such as Carlinhos Salgueiro reflects our mission to bring the highest standards of Rio's samba tradition to the UK while honouring its history, culture and values.

We are deeply grateful to Carlinhos for sharing his knowledge, generosity and passion with our community, and we look forward to welcoming our King back to London in the future.