Josefina (“Fina”) Ferreira, born on July 14, 1960, in Curaçao, is a distinguished dancer, choreographer, educator, and cultural advocate who has significantly influenced the performing arts landscape of her native island. Her passion for dance led her to the Netherlands after completing high school, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Dance Education and Theatre Dance from the Amsterdam School of the Arts

Upon returning to Curaçao in 1981, Ferreira immersed herself in the local dance scene, performing and choreographing for Grupo Folkloriko Kreativo. Her commitment to promoting dance education culminated in the co-founding of the Fina Dance Art School (Fidas) in 1983, alongside Shirley Pole-van Heningen. Fidas offers a diverse range of dance classes, including Ballet, Jazz, Modern Dance, Tap Dance, Hip Hop, Kids Dance, and Breakdance, catering to children from the age of four and adults alike.In 1985, recognizing the need for a platform for aspiring professional dancers, Ferreira established the Simia Dance Company, a preparatory school designed to cultivate the artistry and technical skills of ambitious students. Her dedication to making the arts accessible to all led to the creation of the Dance and More Foundation in 2000, focusing on community art programs that reach underserved populations, including youth, the destitute, and individuals with disabilities.Ferreira’s unwavering commitment to the arts has been recognized with numerous accolades, most notably the prestigious Cola Debrot Prize in 2012, awarded by the Curaçao government for outstanding contributions to culture and the performing arts.Under her leadership, the Dance and More Foundation has become a cornerstone of Curaçao’s cultural community, offering world-class training and fostering a love for the arts across generations. Ferreira continues to inspire through her teaching, choreography, and advocacy, enriching the cultural fabric of Curaçao and beyond.