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This is me. I am fascinated by colors and their ability to continuously create infinite constellations of realities and possibilities. I enjoy experiencing the present moment through colors, music and movement.
I was born into a multi-lingual and multicultural family and grew up in culturally and linguistically diverse Switzerland. Ever since I was a young child I used colors to express myself and to explore my inner and outer realities. I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with my family all throughout my life which allowed me to experience and appreciate many different cultures and customs. This in turn awakened my curiosity about how different cultures use the arts to communicate with, heal and nourish mind, body and soul.
I was born into a multi-lingual and multicultural family and grew up in culturally and linguistically diverse Switzerland. Ever since I was a young child I used colors to express myself and to explore my inner and outer realities. I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with my family all throughout my life which allowed me to experience and appreciate many different cultures and customs. This in turn awakened my curiosity about how different cultures use the arts to communicate with, heal and nourish mind, body and soul.
Portal Into Your Universe - 2018
Although dance had always been a part of my life, it wasn't until I was introduced to and feel in love with flamenco at the age of sixteen that my passion for dance was born. One year later my family and I left rainy Switzerland to live in sunny Southern California. Although the transition and assimilation process was everything but easy, I am grateful for all of my diverse experiences that contributed to making me the person I am today.
"La Flamenca de Triana"
After finishing high school in California, I embarked on a four year journey to college. Yearning to reunite with the duende (Spirit) of flamenco, I followed my dream to Sevilla, the heart of flamenco and Andalusia (Southern Spain).
Behind The Invisible - 2016
Six months later I returned to the U.S. and moved to San Francisco, a city I found to be rich in culture, art and yes, flamenco. There I had the wonderful experience of performing flamenco at local Spanish restaurants with Gavin, my guitar player. I have always made it a point to balance by passions with my academic studies and therefore obtained my B.A. in Speech and Communication (with two emphasis: The Psychology of Communication and Holistic Health).
Fluidity - 2016
After graduation I moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and began my master´s program at UNM in Theatre and Dance (with emphasis on flamenco).
I was haunted by my vision of blending flamenco and belly to create a sacred dance form.
I was haunted by my vision of blending flamenco and belly to create a sacred dance form.
The Void - 2016
Many full moons later, I began to realize that I was not cut out to have a life of a performer. I soon realized how my vison to capture the sacred was in direct juxtaposition with the reality of endless competition and ruthless physical demands on the body. Changing the course of my life was as difficult as remembering a long dance routine...
Flight - 2017
Sensing I needed to go deep within myself in search of my new path, I decided to join a friend at an art retreat in Toscana, Italy. For four days and four nights we blended chalk pastels onto large pieces of paper while visually externalizing our inner worlds and exploring our thought and feelings using the creative process. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced!
We laughed. We cried. We experienced creative flow as well as absolute stagnation. We loved some of the finished art pieces and we disliked others. What I learned was that it really did not matter what the finished art product looked like as it was the creative process and the capturing of the present moment on paper which mattered the most.
What I learned about myself, others and life during this retreat was so profound that I wanted to devote my life to the creative process... But how? If only there were a profession like this...
We laughed. We cried. We experienced creative flow as well as absolute stagnation. We loved some of the finished art pieces and we disliked others. What I learned was that it really did not matter what the finished art product looked like as it was the creative process and the capturing of the present moment on paper which mattered the most.
What I learned about myself, others and life during this retreat was so profound that I wanted to devote my life to the creative process... But how? If only there were a profession like this...
Angel Wing - 2017
Guess what? There is! It's called Art Therapy. With the birth of this knowledge came the beginning of a new life. I moved back to Southern California and earned my M.A. in Clinical Art Therapy/Marriage, Family and Child Therapy. I loved learning about human behaviors and felt honored to witness countless profound personal transformations and paradigm shifts.
For the past twenty-one years I have worked with different client populations in diverse mental health settings ranging from outpatient clinics and schools to in-patient psychiatric and medical hospitals. Early in my career I became increasingly interested in the mind- body connection and quickly adopted a holistic approach in my work.
For the past twenty-one years I have worked with different client populations in diverse mental health settings ranging from outpatient clinics and schools to in-patient psychiatric and medical hospitals. Early in my career I became increasingly interested in the mind- body connection and quickly adopted a holistic approach in my work.
Illumination and Integration of Both Hemispheres - 2017
While being a therapist, I have never stopped creating my own art. I have participated in several group art shows and have had two substantial solo painting exhibitions. My work fueled my art and my art fueled my work. Art, self-expression and self-exploration through the creative process has always been and will always continue to be a big part of my life.
After focusing on the visual creative process for a little over two decades I knew it was now time to reconnect with the duende of dance. Duende is Spanish for Spirit and is a term used by flamenco dancers to name that very moment in which the dancer transcends and embodies the spirit of the dance. It is a very profound moment within the dance and is visible to the attentive eye.
Inspired to combine different elements of studies, I have created Nomadic Energy and Movement a few years ago, a meditative movement/dance class for women of all ages, incorporating elements of flamenco, belly dance, tai chi, energy and chakra work.
After focusing on the visual creative process for a little over two decades I knew it was now time to reconnect with the duende of dance. Duende is Spanish for Spirit and is a term used by flamenco dancers to name that very moment in which the dancer transcends and embodies the spirit of the dance. It is a very profound moment within the dance and is visible to the attentive eye.
Inspired to combine different elements of studies, I have created Nomadic Energy and Movement a few years ago, a meditative movement/dance class for women of all ages, incorporating elements of flamenco, belly dance, tai chi, energy and chakra work.
She Who Knows - 2017
On February 29th, 2020 (leap year), I took a couple of my belongings... and with a healthy dose of faith... leaped into the next chapter of my life by flying to Andalucia, Southern Spain.
(Please check out the "classes" tab for additional information).
(Please check out the "classes" tab for additional information).
