Kerri has always had a passion for music and performing arts, learning piano, violin, and flute from a young age and starting dancing at age 9 in various styles including ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, and modern. She continued her dance training throughout school, including her involvement in drama and school theatre productions.

Kerri’s samba journey began in 2018 when a friend suggested taking a beginner class with Jane. She immediately fell in love with the movement, music, culture, and history of samba. After returning from interstate in January 2020, she threw herself back into classes where her passion and commitment for learning continued to grow.

Kerri has participated in multiple semi-pro performance teams, performing at various events and competitions in Adelaide. In the 2021 SA Tropicana competition, Kerri placed 2nd in semi-pro for samba and 1st in amateur for a funk routine choreographed by Felipe Rodrigues.

At Tropicana 2022, she placed 2nd in amateur for a samba trio, and in 2024 competed as a soloist in the Pro category. In 2022 Kerri successfully auditioned for the first Sambinhas performance team with Escola de Samba Adelaide, where she continued to build her confidence and share her love of samba with the community.

In 2023 she was selected for the first Sambistas team with Escola, and placed 1st in semi-pro at Tropicana with her team. In November 2024, Kerri participated in a choreography intensive with Carlinhos Salgueiro in Adelaide, performing the group choreography at the Escola de Samba Sydney Gala.

In 2023, Kerri travelled to Rio, Brazil, with Samba Internacional and had the opportunity to train intensively with esteemed samba and funk dancers. This unforgettable experience ended with parading for 4 schools across 3 nights of Carnaval:

In Série Ouro (Gold Series), on a float directed by Felipe Rodrigues for Arranco,
In the Sambista Ala for Unidos de Bangu
In the International Ala for Inocentes de Belford Roxo choreographed by Carlinhos Salgueiro
In the Série Especial (Special series) on a float for Império Serrano.

In 2025, Kerri returned to Rio to parade as a Passista for Unidos do Porto da Pedra. She continues her training with Escola de Samba Sydney Online.

Samba has been a sanctuary and source of joy for Kerri and has provided a safe space to simply have fun, express herself, and build friendships in a supportive and positive environment. Her experiences through samba have allowed her to build upon her connection and expression through dance, build confidence in herself and her abilities, and push her out of her comfort zone both physically and emotionally. Kerri joined the Escola instructors team in 2023 and is excited to continue her learning and growth through sharing her knowledge and love of samba with her students.

JANE NUNES

Director / Samba Instructor

KERRI STRATTON

Samba Instructor

EBONIE DONATO-JONES

Samba Instructor

ADRIANA CHIPPILLO

Samba Instructor

ERIN LUDBEY

Samba Instructor

LEELA BALIN

Brazilian Funk Instructor

KIM NEO

Samba Instructor

KANNITHA LAY

Samba Instructor