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Since
childhood, Zo'la has always loved to dance and sing. She began training
in basic ballet and modern dance at a young age. At 15 when she discovered
traditional dance of West Afirica, she became fascinated by cultures
whose
use of ecstatic, trance-inducing dances are a vital part of communuity
and culture. In 1997, Zo'la received a scholarship to study at Mills
College
where she earned her B.A in Dance, Choreography and Psychology. During
her studies at Mills, Zo'la focused her resarch on dance, women and
spirituality,
simultaneously studying various middle-eastern and African dance forms
in the bay area. In 1999 she founded Metamorphosis, a six-month dance
projct at a clinic for women called SAGE (Standing Against Global Exploitation)
to bring healing movement to women who are suvivors of sexual exploitation,
violence and prostitution. Her trainning in sacred dance arts, as well
as her work with women healing from sexual trauma has given her insight
into the relationship between dance & healing.
Zo'la teaches weekly classes in the bay area, special workshops and has
been the featured guest movement teacher at Omega Institute. Zo'la has
performed both nationally and internationally, collaborting locally with
such artists such as "Lucia and Friends", FAZZ, Zolelu and more. She
has been the featured soloist at venues including Cafe de La Paz, Bissap
Baobab
and Mama Buzz. She is one of the newest members of the esteemed dance
company "Ballet Afsaneh, performing dances of the Silk Road and Beyond.'"
In India she performed at cultural festivals throughout Rajasthan with
the kalbelyia (or kali-worshipping, snake-charming gypsy caste) while
studying Odissi temple dance intensively with Guruji Padma Charan Dehuri.
In Brazil, Zo'la was invited to attend several traditional condomble
ceremonies,
while studying with master teacher Rosangela Silvestre. This gave her
insight into the sacred dances of the orixas (spirits of nature), which
stem from ancient Nigerian Yoruba traditions. Zo'la plans to be a student
the rest of her life, continue to travel and teach, and eventually open
up
a school dedicated to sacred international indigenous arts.
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Ritual Dance & Song