Leah Sue Weiss
Leah Sue Weiss, coordinator of the Temple of the Arts has been dancing, performing, choreographing and studying movement in the United States and Brazil for over 30 years. Initiated into the Afro Brazilian Spiritual tradition of Umbanda, she has and created, implemented and taught programs for children, teens and adults. Currently she offers her dance workshops in the Untied States, Brazil and Europe.
Her classes are a spirited fusion inspired by contemporary culture, brazilian dance and spiritual expressions. They are an artistic weaving of music and movement consisting of dance movements of the Orixa, (or cosmic energies contained in nature), Silvestre Technique, Samba, Samba Reggae, Afoxe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Creative Movement and Yoga.
Expressions of the Orixa, (elemental forces of nature) workshops are a blend of her spiritual base and traditional movements of the Orixa from the Ketu nation. Dance Fusion Brazil is a contemporary blend inspired by her years of experience and momentary vision.
Iyalorixa Tina de Souza
Tina de Souza is the Mae de Santo do Templo Guaracy do Brazil, an Afro Brazilian Terreiro de Umbanda. Professionally she has been a practicing clinical psychologist in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for more than two decades. She is also a lecturer at the University of Sao Paulo and the founder of a unique system of perception that provides a new perspective to clinical practice. Tina gives workshops and consultation to physical and psychological health professionals, spiritual counselors and advisors world-wide.
Art and the Primary Unconsious
The Primary Unconscious Integrated System, (P.U.I.S.) brings together the spiritual wisdom of ancient traditions and a deep understanding of psychotherapy to create a unique and effective process to support psychosomatic balance of the Self. The system is based on more precise distinctions in our relationship with the elements of Nature - primary elements that influence us below the level of the unconscious. Ms. de Souza’s method is a vehicle for including these dynamics in comprehending and influencing the material, energetic and spiritual aspects of life. Ms. de Souza also analyzes the meaning of artwork and other creative expressions using this system. Her approach reveals how the natural elements of fire, earth, water and air act through the Primary Unconscious to reveal themselves in these artistic works.
Rosangela Silvestre
Rosangela Silvestre is an internationally renowned master dance teacher known for her stimulating and challenging dance training. Ms. Silvestre is based in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and in the United States. She conducts dance training programs in Brazil, Argentina, Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States.
The Silvestre Technique is a language of dance technique based in the four elements of Nature:
~Earth~Water~Fire~Air~the cosmic forces of the Universe, and the three triangles of the body. These triangles are the seat of the intuition - for the inspiration, balance the connection to the earth body and expression- for the interpretation fo the movement.
Orixa Dance Movement is her expression of the Afro Brazilian traditional sacred dance as an Art form. Her work is based on the dances of the Ketu nation.
for more information: www.silvestrelink.com
Mirjam Krohne
Mirjam Krohne has been a performance artist and teacher for the past 23 years. Her favorite mediums are dance and story-telling. Mirjam has danced with a variety of Brazilian and Cuban dance companies such as: Fogo Na Ropa, As Pernas Com Alma, Aguas da Bahia and Raizes de Cuba. Her story-telling spans the spectrum from traditional to original stories for private as well as public events such as: the San Francisco Gold Rush and the Benicia Christmas fairs. Mirjam has worked with many different kinds of populations; both teaching these expressive arts as well using them as a form of therapeutic exploration. She has taught in a variety settings such as City and Skyline College, Thurgood-Marshall and Galileo High School, Bayview Middle school, Randall Museum and, ofcourse EGAP.
Kim Atkinson
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Northern California multi - percussionist Kim Atkinson has been an energetic presence on the San Francisco Bay Area music scene since the 1970’s. His initial studies in Nigerian, Ghanaian and Congolese drumming lead him to Brazilian shamanism, Caribbean music, American jazz, folk and popular music. He has performed with master musicians and dancers since the 1980’s and is respected as an inspiring performer and gifted teacher who brings psychological, spiritual and scientific insights to his presentations. In September 2004 Kim performed and facilitated with Micky Hart’s “Planet Drum”, holding the groove for over 4000 other drummers at the annual Earthdance event in Northern California. Kim directs the Carnaval Spirit Parade Group, his rhythm fusion band ” Samba Lumina” and performs with other groups in many styles. He endorses LP musicial instruments and his many rhythm educational products are distributed and used worldwide. His most recent release is a CD of original, traditional and innovative arrangments for Brazilian Bateria.
.WHAT HIS STUDENTS SAY:“…he makes what seems complex, fun and accessible.” for more information: www.pulswave.com
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Erika Smallen
Erika Smallen has been studying and performing Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion, dance, and song since 1995. She has been teaching in Sonoma County since 2002. Contact her at: esmallen@gmail.com
Afro-Cuban Dance
Afro-Cuban dance is a blend of traditional Cuban musical and dance expression with strong African spiritual influences.
Class will focus on Orisha and other folkloric dances such as: Rumba, Makuta, Gaga, and Palo. Movement for this class ranges from slow and subtle to dynamic and is tailored to each dancer’s comfort level. In this class, students will not only learn dances and improve coordination, rhythm, strength and technique, but be exposed to rich cultural heritages. This class is for all levels of dancers. Men and women welcome. Se habla Espanol
Amy Levin
The captivating rhythms of Brazilian music are what originally drew Amy to Brazilian dance. One dance class is all it took to fall in love, and now teaching allows her to share her passion with others. Amy began dancing with the inspirational Devija Croll, studying the powerful dances of the orixa, the vibrant dances of samba and samba reggae, and many other styles. Amy has continued to study at dance schools in Brazil, the California Brazil Camp, and in San Francisco. To compliment the dance Amy plays the surdu, a Brazilian percussion instrument, she is a fully certified Pilates instructor, a tai chi and yoga practitioner and a massage therapist.