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FEDERATION OF AMERICAN MUSICIANS, SINGERS AND PERFORMING ARTISTS, INCORPORATED (FAMSPA), USA
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Visit the website of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment, published by the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists. Read about the listees and purchase your copies at http://www.worldwhoswhoinjazzcabaretmusicandentertainment.com/

 

SHOWBIZ TIME MAGAZINE. April-May Issue P.40                                                   Cover of the Magazine     Table of Contents     

DANCING IS A DIVINE MEDIUM by Maximillien de Lafayette

Photo: Mimi Fontana.

The world is not complete without happy children and families, wild nature, loved and protected animals, music, poetry and dance. The religions of ancient Greece and Rome are extinct now, but the gods and goddesses of Olympus are still vibrant in our dreams and fragile hopes. The sublime deities came to life through poetry, music and dance. They belonged to literature, fantasy, art and “sacred motion.” In the firmament of human imagination, they defined their divine circle, and continued to hold it within the winds of the human mind and the grace of dancers. On the dethronement of Saturn, Jupiter with his brothers Neptune (Poseidon) and Pluto (Dis) divided dominions and depicted landscape for those who could write poetry, sing and dance. Dancing was the divine medium. Nothing has changed today. On stage, dancers mesmerized us. They transport us to an enchanted parallel world. The Muses were the daughters of Jupiter and Minemosyne (Memory). They presided over songs and dances, and through the ecstasy of dancers graceful movements prompted the ecstasy divina. They were nine in number, to each of whom was assigned the control over literature, art, and science. Dance was the ultimate divine science in motion. Calliope was the muse of epic poetry, Clio for history, Euterpe for poetry, Melpomene for tragedy, Terpsichore for choral dance and song, Erato for love poetry, Polyhymnia for sacred poetry, Urania for astronomy, Thalia for comedy. But all of them metamorphosed in lights and evolved through dance. Today, on the magical carpet of contemporary dance, half human-half divine dancers and delightfully mad and genius choreographers recapture those divine moments. They are the dancers and the choreographers!  Remarkable artists like Serge Lifar, George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Rambert, Rosela Hightower, Bronislava Nijinska, Richard Alston, Christopher Hampson, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Isadora Duncan. Through their magic and poetry in motion, we explore and discover a new world, a multi-dimensional cosmos. Here is a tribute to some of them.

The great Mimi Fontana is credited with introducing to New York, the World Fusion Belly Dance and Tribal Belly Dance. To see her on stage is a pure delight! What a talent and what a creativity! Pure magic in motion. Her biography tells us that Mimi's entertainment background started early with Tap and Jazz classes and performances at 8 years old.  She embraced Figure Skating, Ice Dancing specifically, and was competitive in that sport for many years and still enjoys a good race around the rink! In addition, Mimi is a Bass Guitarist with Major and Independent recording credits from record labels from the US, Japan, Italy, Spain and the UK, and has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe as a musician. A dynamic, entertaining performer, Mimi has been active in the New York City Middle Eastern Dance Scene for several years and has also performed throughout the North East and California. Her performance highlights include: Central Park Summerstage; Lincoln Center; Out of Doors; The Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom; The Rainbow Room; Dance Theater Workshop. Mimi was also one of five NYC dancers chosen to perform in Hanoi Vietnam with the Belly Dance Superstars for a World Peace Benefit Concert. After several years of honing her technique and performance skills in traditional Arabic, Turkish, Western Cabaret and Tribal Fusion Belly Dance styles. Mimi currently performs as a soloist, and as one half of "Vadalna" the newest tribal fusion collaboration to hit NYC .She studies Yoga, Pilates and is a 2nd Degree Reiki Practitioner. Mimi is Afaa Certified as a Group Fitness Instructor and is CPR/AED Certifed.

 

Lynn Brilhante's dancing and choreography symbolize creativity, innovation, vitality, and elegance. She is a magician. La crème de la crème. She has been nominated for the Theatre L.A. Ovation Award for Choreography. She is the recipient of the Dance Masters of America Choreographer's Award and the Robbi Award for Choreography. She taught and trained the best of the best in the business. Ms. Brilhante taught at several universities and international seminars in the United States and Europe, including University of California, Berkeley, California, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, California State University, San Jose, California, St. Mary’s College, Moraga, California. California Academy for the Performing Arts, Moraga, California.

Leigh Torlage is a powerful figure in the world of Jazz; a professional dancer, stylish choreographer, outstanding instructor and the director of NY Jazz Co.

 

Leigh Torlage

 She toured the United States and Europe with the Broadway musical “West Side Story” playing the roles of Graziella and Anybodys. She was one of the Three Deuces Chorus Line Dancers in Woody Allen’s hit film “Bullets over Broadway” and most recently, was a Cell Block Dancer in the Oscar winning movie “Chicago.”

While living in New York City, Leigh studied extensively in theatre dance and "Fosse" with Ann Reinking, Chet Walker, Christopher Chadman, George Russell and others. Eventually, Leigh relocated to Vancouver and began teaching "New York Jazz" dance classes. In 2003, Leigh created the NY Jazz Co., a highly admired training and performing company blending traditional principles and singing. Ms. Torlage is one of America’s most sparkling dance divas!