ROSANGELA SILVESTRE (BRAZIL) | SYMBOLOGY OF THE ORIXÁ - AFRICAN TRADITION IN BRAZIL
| MOVEMENTS OF THE SACRED DANCES OF THE ORIXÁS - BRAZIL
Rosangela Silvestre Choreographer, instructor, dancer and creator of the Silvestre Dance Technique, Rosangela is a native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Dance and post-graduated specializing in choreography, achieving her degree from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). She has researched dance and music in Brazil, India, Egypt, Senegal and Cuba as part of her ever-evolving and eclectic palette of movement. She acquired training in such diverse techniques as: Martha Graham, Limón, Horton, Floor Bar, Classic Ballet, Dunham Technique, and has experienced diverse dance expressions - such as Germany Theater Dance, Contemporary, Folkloric, as well as Traditional dances of Africa and other continents. Her instructors include Raimundo Bispo dos Santos (Mestre King), Mercedes Baptista, Clayde Morgan, Carlos Moraes, Nelma Seixas, among others, beginning in the late 1970s. Since 1981, Rosangela Silvestre has taught, performed and worked with diverse universities and festivals such as: Colorado College Dance Festival; New Orleans Dance Festival; and dance camps such as the California Brazil Camp each year. She choreographed numerous dance pieces for companies based in Brazil - Balé Folclórico da Bahia and Odunde - as well as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico Repertory Company, American Academy of Ballet, Roots of Brazil, Dance Brazil, Viver Brasil, Muntu Dance Theater, and the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Company. Her dance investigation and constant development created an opportunity to connect with the eclectic American musician Steve Coleman, with whom she traveled to diverse countries which have African roots in their music and dance. With Steve Coleman, Rosangela developed an idea to have the body as an instrument that provides the movement-form of any sound that can be captured - thereby discovering and creating dance at any moment. Rosangela is currently the choreographer of Viver Brasil Dance Company Directed by Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaró. Rosangela's use of her voice is an integral part of her work in dance. In September 2011 she completed the CD: "Voices of Nature" recorded and produced by Mike Zecchino at The Nail Recording Studio in Tucson, Arizona.
KIMBERLY MIGUEL MULLEN (USA/CUBA) | MOVEMENTS OF THE SACRED DANCES OF THE ORIXAS - CUBA
Kimberly Mullen is an internationally touring artist who performs and teaches dance residencies, intensives, and retreats world wide including the USA, Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hong Kong. As a solo artist, she was one of a chosen few to perform with the late legendary Cuban percussionist Francisco Aguabella. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Dance from UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures actively pursues her interests in dance ethnography and traveling throughout the world while creating links among cultures through the expression of dance. Mullen teaches a spirited offering of dance workshops, residencies, and cultural immersion programs worldwide. Her reputable AfroCaribe Dance Class renown as 'Church' by it's loyal following at the Electric Lodge in Venice, California has provided a viable outlet for the preservation of cultural arts scene in Los Angeles since 2005 earning her national and international exposure in blogs and major publications in: US Weekly, Vogue (India), Kee Magazine (Asia), Elle, Women’s World, Oxygen, Health & Fitness Magazines. As a University Dance Professor, Mullen guest lectures at various academic institutions including: University of California Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University, California State University of Los Angeles, Portland State University, and Wesleyan College. She recently completed an 8-Year Adjunct Faculty position at Occidental College teaching AfroCaribbean & AfroContemporary dance courses. ww.kimberlymiguelmullen.com
PACO GOMES (BRAZIL) | RESCUING MYTHOLOGICAL MEMORY - FUSION OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MOVEMENT
Paco Gomes is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, musician and teacher from Bahia - Brazil, where he has studied folk dances and religious dances since his childhood. Graduated in Dance by the Federal University of Bahia. His modern dance influences include Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Kurt Jooss and Maria Fux, Horton and others. He was a teacher and choreographer at the Bahia Cultural Dance Foundation teaching Modern Dance, Composition and Dance Theory until moving to San Francisco in 2004. Since then, Paco has been a resident artist at San Francisco State University and Stanford University. He is currently a Professor at the School of Music and Dance at San Francisco State University and teaches at ODC Commons Dance, City Ballet and Mission Theater Dance. In 2007, "The Red Scarf", a work choreographed by Paco Gomes and performed by his dance company, was nominated for the Isadora Duncan Dance Choreography Award. His work as a choreographer and as a performer has also been featured at several festivals including the Sixth Scenic Dance Board, Black Choreographers Festival, African Diaspora Museum - First Dance: Modernity & Humanity and Kosmos Music & Dance Camp. Notable collaborations include working with and choreographing for Eugenio Barba and Odin Teatret (Denmark), David Herrera Enterprise Performance (San Francisco, CA), Printz Dance Project (San Francisco, CA), Gnosis Collective Dance (San Francisco, CA). Internationally respected as a passionate teacher and mentor, Paco has traveled extensively teaching his GriotLab Method in cities around the world, including San Francisco, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon, Porto, Arta, Mallorca, London and Brighton. Paco Gomes is known for his ability to infuse the dynamic, multifaceted potential of modern dance with Afro-Brazilian folk dance, more specifically, the religious movements of the orixás dances, Capoeira athletics and folk dances of work. With this unique blend of influences Paco Gomes practices storytelling mainly through the myths and legends of the Candomblé religion of Brazil. Paco Gomes and his visionary works create a bridge between dance as "high art" and dance as a rich cultural heritage and among people everywhere. (Rita Feltiano Dance Magazine)
ALYSSON BRUNO (BRAZIL) | PERCUSSION AND SONGS OF THE ORIXÁS
Alysson Bruno is a musician from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who was born and raised in the religion of Candomble of Ketu nation. He began his training with the social and cultural organization Abacai Cultura e Arte, lead by one of Brazil’s prominent percussionists and researchers-Ari Colares. Alysson was chosen as an assistant musical director and a professor of percussion alongside Colares from 2010-2012. Alysson performed with Guga Stroeter and his Orquestra HB for the album AGO! Cantos Sagrados de Brasil e Cuba, Baile dos Orixas. He also recorded with Stroeter on the album Xire Reverb, featuring a Jazz orchestra combined with the traditional music of Candomble. Alysson has performed with the Brazilian guitarist and vocalist Pepeu Gomes, the composer of Rumpilezz Letieres Leite , as well as world renown groups Ile Aiye, and Criolo. Alysson has taught numerous workshops in percussion and the musicality of Candomble in Brazil, Canada, Switzerland and France. He is known for his unique classes as they incorporate body percussion, and fusing various Brazilian rhythms. Aside from teaching Alysson is an accomplished accompanist in the dance classroom. He has worked as the main percussionist and composer with the Master teacher and choreographer Irineu Nogueira, as well as master teacher Rosangela Silvestre, creator of the Silvestre Technique. Among Alysson’s projects he is currently performing with afro fusion funk band Alafia, traditional samba and Afros music Batucada Tamarindo, and instrumental group Coletivo Roda Gigante in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
LUCIANO DA SILVA (BRAZIL) | PERCUSSION AND SONGS OF THE ORIXÁS
Luciano da Silva began his career as a percussionist in 1994, when through the percussion course of the Olodum's creative school, he was invited to participate as a percussionist of the Olodum dance. From then on, he performed several works in this universe DRUM, RHYTHM, MUSIC, DANCE, being part of several dance groups and CIAs such as: BALÉ MIRIM DA FUNDAC in which he was percussive director, MARACÁS CIA of dance, group TRÀFEGO, group RAIZES, group ARTE BAHIA and etc. Parallel to this he played in classes of renowned teachers like: master KING, Rosangela Silvestre, Vera Passos, Jailson Purificação, Keno, Augusto OMOLU, among others. He played in AXÉ bands such as: MINA band, Afro Pop Movement, Tri Metal band, MXXI band, SALSALITRO, Márcia Short, Mariana Assis and others. In 97/98 he joined the KONTRA group, a group of instrumental music directed by Nei Sacramento of which he is a part until now, parallel to that he is a percussion teacher at FUNDAC, a state institution which offers courses to young people referred or community. In 2002 he was invited by American saxophonist Steve Coleman to participate in recording a CD called WEAVING SIMBOLICS, later in 2004 he toured Europe participating in festivals such as All is Jazz Year 3 Ouro Preto, Garda Jazz Festival, Italy, Fano Jazz By The Sea 2004 Italy, Complutense Jazz Festival, Spain, Souillac en Jazz festival Sim Copans 29 edition, Festival in Marselle, France, Alon Come Jazz province of Rome etc.
RENATO PEREIRA (BRAZIL) | PERCUSSION AND SONGS OF THE ORIXÁS
Bachelor graduated from Faculdade Integrada Cantareira by the violinist Elisa Fukuda, Renato began his violin studies at age 12 with Ulisses Pimentel. At age 14, he was a member of Cecília Guida's classroom. From then on he began his career in orchestras, first as a line in the Young Orchestra Tom Jobim (2004) and then as Spalla in the next two years, began his parallel works between classical music and popular music from the experience with this orchestra. In 2007, he was part of the São Paulo Municipal Theater in the Experimental Orchestra of the Repertory and Chamber Orchestra of the University of São Paulo, during his bachelor's degree he was Spalla from Camerata Cantareira and member of Camerata Fukuda. He was violin educator at the NGO Músicos do Futuro-SP, at the Villa-Lobos-SP conservatory and at the preparatory course of the Integrated Cantareira Faculties. Today, focusing on popular music, he develops his work with several groups such as: Afro-Brazilian Philharmonic Orchestra where he is Spalla and Solista, Coletivo Roda Gigante, addressing different genres of Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian popular music, and with the Trio: Spalla no Choro Has his main work as a soloist, the latter focusing on Choro, also covers genres such as Samba, Forró, Frevo and other Brazilian rhythms. The name reflects the main experiences within his career between orchestras and popular ensembles. He is currently professor of the free course at the Conservatoire DIESÈ MUSICAL and professor at the technical course of ACARTE (Adventist University Conservatory).
LUCA BRANDOLI (CUBA/USA) | PERCUSSION AND SONG OF THE AFRO CUBAN ORICHAS
Luca Brandoli is an internationally acclaimed percussionist and singer who has performed globally with professional bands in the US, Japan, Mexico, Europe, Canada, Cuba, etc. Brandoli is the Founder & Director of the award winning Santiago de Cuba based Cuban band, El Grupo Barracon, whose CD’s were nominated 4 times in 2011 and 2012 by Cubadisco, the Cuban Grammy Committee, and received an award for “Best AfroCuban Folkloric Music.” He is a University Professor and has taught AfroCuban percussion and song courses in several colleges throughout the US, including the University of California Los Angeles Department of Music with a residency for 7 years. Brandoli is the author of 13 AfroCuban Religious Song books, totaling a discography of over 52 CDs. Known for his extensive knowledge and over 30 years of research, Brandoli is a sought-after percussionist and singer for religious ceremonies, both in Cuba and the US. He is the Co-Founder & Co-Host of Tambor Y Danza Cuba, a cultural arts drum and dance immersion program in Cuba since 2015. Born in Rome, Italy, Brandoli divides his time between his homes in Los Angeles, California, and Cuba.
Website: https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/lucabrandoli
Website: https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/lucabrandoli
CHILDREN'S FACILITATORS
RODRIGO GARCIA DUTRA (BRAZIL/UK) | BEYOND GEOMETRY - VISUAL ART FOR KIDS
Rodrigo Garcia Dutra was born in 1981 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He holds an MA Fine Art from Central Saint Martin’s School of Art and Design, London (2009) and an MA in Sculpture from the Royal College of Arts, London (2014). Awards include Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, Programa Brasil de Arte Contemporânea and nominated for the PIPA art prize 2017, being the third consecutive year in which he receives the nomination. His artworks are in the collections of Museum of Art of São Paulo and the British Government Art Collection. Important exhibitions includes ‘Da Iniciatiava Utópica (Permissão em Cadência)’, Galeria Superfície, São Paulo, Brasil (2017), Jornadas de Outubro, Capelinha da Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Laje, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. (2016), 10ª Bienal do Mercosul: Mensagens de Uma Nova América', Porto Alegre, Brazil. (2015), 'Drawing Biennial' Group show at the Drawing Room, London, UK. (2015), ‘Abstract Ground' Solo show show at Marian Cramer Projects, Amsterdam, Netherlands. (2014), 'Tomorrow: London' Group show at South London Gallery, London, UK. (2014), 'Histórias Mestiças' Group show at Instituto Tomie Ohtake, São Paulo, Brazil. (2014), '18th International Contemporary Art Festival SESC_Videobrasil: 30th Anniversary São Paulo, Brazil. (2013), ‘Open Cube’, White Cube, London, UK (2013). His artistic research practice traces back moments in time that influenced the aesthetics of the world how we perceive it today. He builds a collection of facts, found objects, gifts and places visited then re-work these through drawing, painting, bronze casting, charcoal tracings, video editing and arrangement/re-arrangement of those objects in the space. The aim is to re-evaluate these moments or situations, shedding a new light.
JONATAN HALLER PEREIRA (SLOVENIA/BRAZIL) | HIP HOP AND BREAKING
Jonatan Haller Pereira, Dancer, performer, and musician has trained breakdance and other urban dances in Slovenia he is currently dance teacher in Alto Paraiso, giving classes for children and adults.
He has performed in numerous events and festivals such as Universo Paralello (Bahia, Brazil) Woodland festival, Mister Slovenia, and has been casted as a dancer in music videos. Hip Hop and breaking incorporates a variety of old and new urban dance styles. The dancing represents body movements that go with the beat and rhythm of hip hop music. Using games and music, the class focuses on rhythm, musicality and basic footwork. It's a great way to get kids moving!
He has performed in numerous events and festivals such as Universo Paralello (Bahia, Brazil) Woodland festival, Mister Slovenia, and has been casted as a dancer in music videos. Hip Hop and breaking incorporates a variety of old and new urban dance styles. The dancing represents body movements that go with the beat and rhythm of hip hop music. Using games and music, the class focuses on rhythm, musicality and basic footwork. It's a great way to get kids moving!
TASSILA GAYATRI, GUILHERME MACIEL, SUPRIYA RAMOS (BRAZIL) & JONATAN HALLER PEREIRA (SLOVENIA/BRAZIL) | CIRANDA AND DANCE
Tassila Gayatri is a systemic therapist, graduated in Dance Degree from the University of Rio de Janeiro, Post-graduate in Psychomotricity by the IBMR and focusing on Circular Dances. Graduated in Pedagogia Waldorf, she worked for 10 years in early childhood education, giving creative dance classes to children, using the corporal expression, artistic and playful in the integral development of the child. She began her career as a classical dancer at the age of six, performing at different Latin American dance shows and festivals, and later practicing Contemporary Dance and Martial Arts, such as Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan. Today she continues to dance, researching the oriental dances, such as Belly Dancing, Gypsy and Flamenco, as well as Popular Dances and Brazilian Rhythms. Guilherme Maciel is an art-therapist, dancer, actor and facilitator of integrative experiences dedicated to the path of the integrated arts. He seeks to support and strengthen cultural expression, re-connection between body, nature and spirit, and create space where potential creativity and movement of the soul are nourished, believing in the capacity to heal through self-knowledge and transformation through art and its diverse languages. Supriya Ramos, dancer, holistic and permaculture therapist affected by the sacred in art and by African, Andean and native ancestral memories. Idealizer of the page "Ekodidé- sacred art and ancestral therapies", of the experiences "Lady of the Birds- the feminine on earth" And "Ancestral Spiral - memory in motion".