Instructors
Erica
Erica was involved with the arts, fitness, and wellness from a young age doing yoga and fitness classes as a kid alongside her mother and listening and dancing to music with her father. Her performing and choreographic career includes working in dance, circus, live theater, Off-Broadway/Broadway, education and television. Some of her performance credits include: Chino Pons and Grupo Irek, Rennie Harris' 'Facing Mekka', NBCU at Radio City, Luis Fonsi/Demi Lovato, Rod Rodgers Dance, Sergio Mendes/Carlinhos Brown, Maria Torres' 'Pasione', Earl Mosley (guest artist), Diavolo 2, Viver Brasil, Raiz Brazil, Samba Musa at Rio de Janeiro Brazil Carnival, Assokere Cuban Dance Co., Gabrielle Lansner's 'River Deep', Law and Order, Roc Nation's 'Christmas Love' and more.
Erica has choreographed for Dancespora Ballet, Habana en Movimiento, SambaSalsa, Tropicana Revue (New York), Brooklyn Philharmonic Youth Concert Series, Law and Order television series, and Ritmos at The Adrienne Theater. As a master artist in Latin Jazz, Afro-Latin dance forms, yoga, Cuban Salsa, Samba, and circus she has taught or guest lectured at Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturism Festival, University of Pennsylvania , Cirque LA, Boricua College, Santa Monica College, Temple University, George Mason University, New Victory Theater, NYC Department of Education, Children's Village, and LA County High School of the Arts.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Wellness/Nutrition, Erica continued her studies of how to be healthy and happy, throughout one's life. She completed her 2,000 hour yoga teacher's certification with the College of Purna Yoga (Aadil Palkhivala, Savitri), thai yoga massage (Lotus Palm) certification and masters study of Chinese Medicine (tui na, tai chi, herbal medicine, acupressure, and acupuncture). Additionally she worked as an Ayurvedic practitioner under Pratima Raichur and the Pratima Spa.
Nyota Nayo (Bio and Photo Coming Soon)
Bellydance Instructor
Nyota Nayo
Laurie Jane has studied samba since 2010 in both the United States and Brazil. She specializes in partner samba and is founder of the group Gafieira New York. She studies the origins and history of samba and enjoys bringing its joy and sense of community to all bodies.
Laurie
Fernando Saci (Bio Coming Soon)
Afro-Brazilian and Samba Percussion Teaching Artist