Full Bio:

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Alaya is an eclectic and soulful dancer, choreographer, and performance artist specializing in fusing diverse forms of dance and movement with her own unique dance style and form.  Her movement styles include Brazilian Dance, Firedancing, Intuitive Improvisational Movement, and Open-Style Dance, a fusion of Streetdance, Hip hop, Brazilian, Circus, and Latin dance styles.  Her performance pieces are fluid and strong, and powerful yet graceful in their texture and beauty.  Alaya reflects the elements in her movements, as well as intention and energy from Source.  She also creates costuming, a storybook backdrop, and music to fit the specific intention for her dance; telling the narrative of a journey through the Universe.  She has studied Brazilian Dance and firedancing since 1998, and various other styles of dance and aerial arts.  She has performed throughout California and Nevada, as well as Vancouver, Canada during the past 20 years, and has shared the stage with India Irie, Sound Tribe Sector 9, MIchael Franti, and Brett Dennen, among others.  Alaya is a favorite of the West Coast festival circuit, and has been a performer for the Burning Man Fire Conclave for 8 years, and 2 of those years she produced and co-produced a large group fire show for conclave for Nocturnal Sunshine/Santa Cruz Conclave.  Her love of movement and expressing through it light, joy and upliftment is what fuels her passion for dancing.

 

Alaya has been an educator in diverse roles and programs for over 20 years, and along with her background as a classroom and academic teacher, she has also taught in Special Education.  She is currently an MA in Education candidate at National University.  She also has a background in teaching dance, movement, and yoga to children and adults, and is a 200 hr Certified Yoga Teacher and registered with Yoga Alliance, as well as a Certified Zumba Instructor, and has completed a training through Breathe For Change as a Social Emotional Learning and Wellness Facilitator. She has over 20 years of experience in education, working with children, youth, and adults, not only in these areas, but also in academic subjects and ESL.  She offers classes and courses for both children/youth and adults in multiple dance styles, dance choreographing, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, zumba, and performance creation.  She also speaks Spanish and can offer services to Spanish speaking students and their families.