Before I ever taught dance, I lived the science, discipline, and artistry of ballet.
My professional foundation was built at the prestigious Municipal School of Ballet of São Paulo, one of Brazil’s most respected institutions for classical dance training. There, I immersed myself in the rigorous technical, artistic, and educational principles and for more then four decades, I have devoted my life to the art of dance as a performer, choreographer, educator, studio owner, and mentor.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of participating in and receiving recognition from some of Brazil’s most prestigious dance events, including the internationally renowned Joinville Dance Festival and ENDA (National Dance Encounter), where my work as a dancer, choreographer, and educator was honored.
My journey has always been about more than teaching steps. Dance has taught me discipline, resilience, grace, confidence, and the pursuit of excellence. These values became the foundation of my educational philosophy and continue to guide every student who enters our studios.
Rise Dance Academy represents the culmination of a lifetime devoted to dance. Through the RISE Method, students are encouraged to discover their fullest potential while developing artistry, musicality, discipline, and a genuine love for movement.
Legacy is not what we achieve but who we inspire to keep going.
Ines Buchalla
Founder & Artistic Director
I grew up immersed in the world of dance, where I learned firsthand the discipline, dedication, and resilience required to pursue excellence. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong fascination with the human body and its incredible ability to move, adapt, and perform.
That passion led me to pursue a degree in Exercise Science and build a career focused on health, fitness, nutrition, and human performance. Over the years, I have worked with individuals of all ages, helping them develop strength, confidence, and healthier lifestyles through evidence-based training and education.
At Rise Dance Academy, my focus is on supporting the development of the whole dancer. I believe that exceptional training goes beyond technique alone. It requires a strong foundation of physical preparation, proper nutrition, healthy habits, confidence, and resilience. My goal is to help create an environment where dancers can thrive not only as performers, but as healthy, capable, and confident young people.
In addition to my work with our dancers, I am passionate about helping adults prioritize their own health and well-being. Through our fitness and strength programs, I strive to create a welcoming environment where individuals of all fitness levels can build strength, improve overall wellness, and discover what they are truly capable of achieving.
Luanna Mattos
Founder & Studio Director and Conditioning Coach
As a daughter of a ballerina and dance studio owner, Inês Buchalla, some of my earliest memories were made inside a dance studio. I grew up watching my mother, dedicate her life to the art of dance and to the generations of students who walked through our doors. Dance was never simply an activity in our family – it was a way of life.
While I danced and experienced the beauty and discipline of the art form firsthand, I also became fascinated by something deeper: the science behind movement. I wanted to understand how the body performs, adapts, heals, and reaches its fullest potential. That curiosity led me to pursue a career in exercise science, nutrition, and wellness, dedicating my professional life to helping others become stronger and healthier versions of themselves.
Years later, life brought me back to where it all began. Through my daughter and her journey as a competitive dancer, I rediscovered dance from an entirely new perspective – that of a mother. As I watched her passion grow, so did my desire to understand what truly allows young dancers to thrive.
Today, my passion lies at the intersection of artistry and science. At Rise Dance Academy, my role is to help shape an environment where dancers are nurtured as whole human beings – where exceptional training is supported by wellness, education, and purposeful mentorship. I believe dance should develop not only strong technique and exceptional performers, but also resilient, healthy, and confident young people who carry the lessons of dance into every area of their lives.
Jana Bonassi
Founder & Executive Director and Training
