Britta

Britta is enraptured with all things dance related in the styles of  folk traditions. For the past 7 years, she has studied Middle Eastern, West African, Latin, and some of the African diaspora dances of the Caribbean and Brazil.  She has also dabbled in Polynesian dance, Classical Indian dance and Bollywood. While studying West African and women’s traditional dance or “belly dance” in particular, she became obsessed  with the sacred wisdom of ritual movement and the amazing healing it brings. She has also been a student of Yoga for several years and in 2010 entered the Yoga Teacher training practice at Borrowed Earth Emporium. Calling upon similarities in these various traditions, and her studies in Afro-fusion dance practices, healing arts, and performance,she helped co-develop Women’s Vitality Dance with one of her teachers, Tamara Anderson.

Britta is currently teaching at Ecofusion Fitness in Corvallis, Oregon. Britta’s teaching focus is always about connection to self and having fun. See Classes for schedule.

Britta is indebted and in deep gratitude to her teachers and mentors, but most especially to Deja Mitchell:

Déja Mitchell has a Bachelor’s degree in  Modern Dance from Utah State University. She has studied African dance and drumming  for 15 years with numerous renowned teachers and with the tribal keepers of the oral traditions, or “Griots,” in Mali.  She makes annual trips to Bamako and villages in Mali to learn from the traditional elders the ways of the dance. She teaches African-based movement in an invigorating atmosphere with polyrhythms  which are the basis of African dance. She helps her students explore the depth and cultural significance of the dances, while making the movement accessible to beginners. She also teaches traditional African drumming rhythms and Djembe techniques as well as other tribal styles in a facilitated drum circle environment. She teaches West African dance, belly dance, Modern dance and gentle movement for seniors in the greater Northern Utah area.

Lorin Hansen, the creator and artistic director of Samba Fogo in Salt Lake City, Utah:

Samba Fogo is a cultural arts organization providing year-round programming locally and nationally. Through our various programs, Samba Fogo brings Afro-Brazilian dance and music to life on the stage and in the classroom. Our programs include the following: Samba Fogo Music and Dance Company:  A professional company of 17 performers, presenting high-quality work in the proscenium setting. Drawing on rich Afro-Brazilian traditions and mythology, Samba Fogo Music and Dance Company fuses live Afro-Brazilian music and dance with contemporary dance, martial arts, and fire dance, creating an exciting and culturally rich choreographic style. Lorin is a long-time student of the amazing Brazilian dancer from Salvador, Bahia, Rosangela Silvestre.

And Tamara Anderson

Tamara Anderson is a Yoga, Nia, 5 Rhythms, and Qi Gong teacher and certified educator through the Divine Feminine Awakened Masculine Institute and Sacred Sensual Splendor counselor. She is amazingly gifted at helping individuals tap into their creative power and is constantly involved in creative events and collaborations world-wide.

Britta was a member of the Samba Fogo family in Salt Lake City, Utah.