Dancers
A multicultural dance troupe composed of professional and non-professional dancers of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds who since 1995 have performed Baile Popular, a language of movement with roots in the rhythms of Africa and the dances of Europe (Spain, France). Our mission is to share with the audience the joy and vibrancy of our Latin-American Culture, in which dance transcends barriers of age, social class and whether the dancer is considered professional or merely a student of dance. We strive to project dance as is seen in Latin America, an expression of joy in which everybody is a participant.
Macondo 2009
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Norma JohnsonHailing from New Jersey, California, Alaska and now Colorado, Norma Johnson spent the last 25 years as a healer, inspirationist and now as a visionary consultant. Norma is now excited to be including once again, her roots in the performing arts. She has spent over 20 years as a professional costumer for stage, TV and film and has performed and danced on and off since childhood. In the last few years she’s included voice over performing and community speaking, specializing in stories from the heart. Having found Grupo Macondo, Norma’s wish to connect with a joyfilled, laid back, heart & community centered dance group has been fulfilled. “I’ve been wanting to dance with Carmen ever since I met her several years ago. I love Carmen, this collective of people and what we create together.” |
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Marisa MellizoMarisa Mellizo grew up in musical family, and therefore developed a love of music and dance at a young age. She has had the opportunity to study different types of dance styles, including salsa, merengue, swing from Costa Rica, bolero, samba and hip-hop. She moved to Boulder in 1999 and joined grupo Macondo in 2003. Marisa has a M.A. in ESL (English as a Second Language) from CU-Denver, and is currently a high school Spanish teacher at Fairview High School. Along with teaching and dancing, Marisa loves to travel, play the piano and enjoys many outdoor activities. |
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Antoinette VastenburgAntoinette has always had a passion for movement. Throughout her life she has been active with various sports. Her dance back ground includes Jazz and ballet. She caught “the Baile Popular bug” after traveling through the Caribbean and South America for six months. She feels very fortunate to have learned Baile Popular, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian and African dances from local and guest dance teachers here in Boulder, Colorado. Dancing with Carmen Nelson and Macondo, on and off since 1997, has been a great experience. As a physical therapist and a Feldenkrais practitioner Antoinette helps people overcome injuries and pain. She has been using the Feldenkrais method to teach dancers and improve their performance. When not dancing or working you can find her on the soccer field with her husband, cheering on their daughter and son. |
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Victor OmarkThis “boricua” holds a M.S. in mechanical engineering. When he was six years old he began studying classical music and played violin and viola in several concerts for 10 years. Being raised between Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, he started dancing afro-antillan rythms at an early age and tango during his college years. Currently, he is studying salsa with Carmen Reina Nelson, costarrican swing and flamenco with Sali Gutierrez. |
Macondo 2004
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Christopher Natan Nelson is an Art student at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He teaches Popular Dance at the Recreation Center at C.U. in Boulder and at Bolder Moves Dance Studio. He has studied dance with Liliana Valle in Costa Rica and in Santiago de Cuba with Grupo Cocuye. He performs, choreographs, and teaches dance to members of Grupo Macondo. He performed with the Helander’ Dance Thater’s “Pura Vida” in October 2002. |
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Chinwe Chong was born in New York City, in 1987. She started studying ballet at a young age and has since then continued to study all types of dance. Chinwe was trained at Ballet Arts(Peak Arts Academy) under the instuction of Ana-Claire Davison, until 1999, when she moved to Paris with her mother Frances Charteris. There, she was further trained in ballet by Brooke Desnoes and Merideth Hudson, and taught hip hop by Stephie Sessions. In 2002 Chinwe returned to boulder and the Peak Arts Academy, where she was taught by Robert Sher-Macherndl. In fall 2002 Chinwe began attending class under the instuction of Gabriel and Carmen Nelson. She also attends the Cleo Parker Robbinson dance school in Denver. |
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In Brazil, she discovered dancing for the first time. She did classical ballet for almost 12 years and also had the opportunity to learn tap and jazz dance. She also won a national dance festival in Joinvile, Santa Catarina, Brazil for a modern dance performance with the Mosaico company. Shortly after this her energies focused on her studies to pursue a PhD degree in materials engineering.
Currently, she is working as a post doc for a national energy laboratory. Many other dances have become part of her life. In addition to be an active member of Macondo Priscila learns and performs flamenco, tango and Latin rhythms. |
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Melissa has always had a passion for dance. Growing up and living in Boulder has given her the opportunity to study and perform with many great teachers and various companies in the Boulder Denver area. Starting with the discovery of Jazz dance, she then expanded her dance horizons to include Ballet, modern, tap, african and now the various forms of Baile Popular.She has been dancing with Carmen and Grupo Macondo now for about 2 years and has been loving every minute of it. Viva Baile Popular! |
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Maija Salma moved to Boulder in 1998. She is currently working as a Chiropractic assistant and also owns her own business doing Herbal Body Wraps. Maija started ballet at age 7 and over the years has studied a number of different styles of dance. In 1996 she traveled around the world with “Up With People” as a singer and dancer and in 1997 she moved to Maui and continued her performing there.In 2001 she worked/performed at the Boulder Dinner Theatre. Maija started her salsa dancing in 2002 under the instruction of Gabriele and Carmen Nelson then to join Grupo Macondo in 2003. Besides her love for dancing and singing, she enjoys studying health and is very passionate about animals and their well-being. |
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Marisa MellizoMarisa Mellizo grew up in musical family, and therefore developed a love of music and dance at a young age. She has had the opportunity to study different types of dance styles, including salsa, merengue, swing from Costa Rica, bolero, samba and hip-hop.
She moved to Boulder in 1999 and joined grupo Macondo in 2003. Marisa has a M.A. in ESL (English as a Second Language) from CU-Denver, and is currently a high school Spanish teacher at Fairview High School. Along with teaching and dancing, Marisa loves to travel, play the piano and enjoys many outdoor activities. |
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Antoinette Vastenburg [The Netherlands] Antoinettte took jazz and ballet classes for a few years when she was in her early twenties. After she traveled through Central and South America, she became interested in Latin American dance and started taking classes with Carmen Nelson. She has been dancing with Macondo, on and off, since 1997.As a physical therapist and a Feldenkrais practitioner she loves to teach movement and work with people who have injuries. Antoinette also enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and running. |
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This “boricua” holds a M.S. in mechanical engineering. When he was six years old he began studying classical music and played violin and viola in several concerts for 10 years. Being raised between Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, he started dancing afro-antillan rythms at an early age and tango during his college years. Currently, he is studying salsa with Carmen Reina Nelson, costarrican swing and flamenco with Sali Gutierrez. |
Friends of Macondo
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Sanja DeCola
She is a mosaic artist and a student of interior design. Sanja studied many types of dance since an early age and currently enjoys Latin dance. |
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Native from the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico. Have been dancing Latin rhythms over 30 years. Has studied Folklore dances from PR, samba, Costa Rican swing, tango, Bolero/SON, Afro-Caribbean dances and Orixas. Have supported Macondo dance group since early stages as a dancer and some occasions as a choreographer. Love to share the “Pasion” y “Sabor’ latino in the dance floor. When he is not dancing, he works as a Engineer Program Manager at a high technology company. |
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Fabio da Silva [Brazil] 31Fabio is a PhD in Physics and is currently working as a guest researcher for a government agengy in Boulder. Among other things he likes to dance salsa, sing, and climb the hills of Colorado on his road bike. |
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Marcus has a B.M. degree in jazz trumpet performance from the University of Miami and is currently finishing a M.S. degree in computer science at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He discovered dance in the fall of 2000 through one of Carmen’s beginning salsa classes and has been performing and teaching with her ever since.In addition to Grupo Macondo, Marcus is the newest member of the senior hip hop performing troupe “Vital Signs” at Motion Underground dance studio, under the direction of Troy Burrell. When not dancing, Marcus enjoys playing trumpet, working out, and reading. |
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Jeremy SchwartzHolds an EPO Biology B.A. from the University of Colorado-Boulder
Dance Experience: Member of Canto do Galo Capoeira Group-Boulder CO which is a member of the United Capoeira Association under Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Ra and Mestre Suelli. Member of Grupo Macondo-Carmen Nelson. Studied various Afro-cuban, carribean, latin dances under Liliana Valle and Merecumbe. Studied tango under Gabriela Carone. Studied Sevillanas under Cristina Pujol and Natalia Perez. Other interests: Competitive distance running and the outdoors. |
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Marcio DeSousa |
4 Responses to “Dancers”
Leave a Reply
Mrs. corinthia turner on May 20th, 2009
Where can I take classes? And how much are the dance classes? Miss C. turner
admin on May 24th, 2009
Corinthia,
You can take classes with at;
http://streetsidedance.com/
contact Rico
or
http://www.salsaville.com
contact Erik
Both studios are in Boulder, CO
Malena on August 7th, 2009
Hi! I am interested in taking samba, salsa, merengue lessons, anything already scheduled?? Thanks
ballroom dance costumes on March 14th, 2011
I just love it!! The costumes are often very cute, and the moves are sexy, but not dirty. It actually looks very classy, but you can just see that amazing chemistry between the partners. does anyone else notice this?