Antonia Katrandjieva
Antonia Katrandjieva – director-choreographer & co-founder of Overground Arts Alliance Phone: 917 496 53 77; email: a_katrandjieva@hotmail.com
Antonia is a graduate of the Zurich Dance Theater School in Switzerland, and the National Academy for Theater and Film Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria where she holds a doctorate in Non-verbal Theater. She is an internationally acclaimed theater artist, and choreographer who has directed over 30 vanguard performances in Switzerland, Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Germany, France, Bulgaria, and NYC. Antonia has served as chorographer of “Aeon Dance Company”, “Serapis New Age Performance Studio” and “Global Arts Synthesis Laboratory”. Antoniahas lectured in Theater, Dance and Pantomime at the National Academy of Theater & Film Arts, American College in Sofia, International College of Arts in Denpasar, Bali, Zurich Dance Theater School in Switzerland, and most recently at Harvard Dance School, U.S. She has authored the manual for contemporary actors & dancers “Intuitive Gesture” and numerous articles on Theater, Philosophy and Dance published in Bulgarian, Swiss and American Journals. Antonia is founder of “Overground Arts Alliance”.Since 2002 Antonia lives in New York where serves as NY correspondent for Bulgarian Theater Magazine and as teaching artist for the Joyce Theater Foundation in NYC. Currently, Antonia is also on the faculty of Ballet Arts, NYC, where she teaches contemporary dance and choreography.

Keva Apostolova was born in Bulgaria in the middle of last century. She spend her childhood and teens in the small town of Montana, situated 100 km away from Sofia. She is a philologist and has collaborated with national magazines and newspapers as a writer and poet since she was a teenager. She has authored adult plays, television theatre dramas, radio-theatre plays and children’s stories based on internationally recognized European fairy tales. She is the recipient of national nominations for outstanding dramaturgy. Her plays have been selected to participate in international theatre festivals and have been staged and screened across Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia, Poland, Mongolia, Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic. Keva Apostolova is the author of collections of poems, which have been translated and published in illustrious Eastern-European literary editions. In addition, she has authored several books and numerous articles in the field of theatre journalism. Keva Apostolova is the Editor-in- Chief of Bulgarian “Theatre” Magazine. Most currently, her play “Christ and Magdalene” has been staged by Overground Arts Alliance in New York and will premier, in May’ 09 at Judson Memorial Church.  

Petar Penev
Petar Penev is a spiritual artist and musician who joined Overground Movement in 1996 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and was part of the New Age Performance Studio “Serapis” as stage designer. He has participated in the “Octaves of Reflection” and “Embers from Summer” projects of Overground Arts Alliance as a scenic designer and sound editor. Petar has trained in Yoga with Swami Agung, founder of Qi-Yo Yoga style and Qi-Yo Holistic Center. As a member of Overground Movement Petar has contributed to the launching of the “Overground Movement” in Switzerland, where he served as a designer of the Global Arts Synthesis Laboratory. Petar has learned ancient healing practices in Bali, Indonesia, where he lived and studied Sandi Murti and Latihan spiritual Yoga techniques in 1997 – 1998. He has incorporated his thorough knowledge in esotericism and energy healing into his spiritual painting craft inspired by the illustrious Russian esoteric painter and cultural anthropologist Nicholas Roerich. Currently Petar lives in Switzerland, where he disseminates the ideas of Overground Movement through his paintings, mobile objects’ art, wood-carving and music.

Dr. Valentin Katrandjiev
Dr. Valentin Katrandjiev is an expert in the field of international relations and diplomacy. He graduated International Relations from the Kiev State University in 1989 and later became a contributor to the Institute of Contemporary Social Theory to the Bulgarian Academy of Science. In the 90’s he taught consecutively English Language at Sofia Marketing-Management College, served as consultant-interpreter in a Canadian Financial Investment Company, and was on the administrative-technical staff of a forwarding company. During the period 1998-2000 Mr. Katrandjiev is awarded a doctoral fellowship to the Russian People’s Friendship University in Moscow, where he defends a dissertation on the theory of the “Clashes of Nations”, launched by the illustrious Harvard professor Samuel Huntington. In 2001 he is appointed as researcher in the field of Crisis Diplomacy at the Mediterranean Diplomatic Academy in Malta. Since 2002 Valentin is on the researching and teaching staff of DiploFoundation (www.diplomacy.edu) – an international non-governmental research and education organization. Valentin’s info-analytical and lecturing experience is in the field of Public Diplomacy and Cultural Diplomacy, as well as Diplomacy of the European Union, and Diplomacy of Non-governmental Subjects. Currently, Valentin develops the structure and content of theme-based internet portals in the field of International Relations and Contemporary Diplomacy practice. Valentin joined the Diplomatic Institute to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://bdi.mfa.government.bg/) as strategic consultant in 2007. Valentin is proficient in English and Russian. Valentin has contributed to Overground Arts Alliance for more than twelve years by developing presentational materials.

Greta Georgieva is an active supporter of Overground Movement (OM). She holds an MA in Industrial Management from Gabrovo Technical University in Bulgaria. Greta has specialized and worked in the UK in hotel and catering field too. She is currently a marketing and advertising manager with Brain Storm Consult Ltd, a Bulgarian accounting and financial company. While in London Greta did a web management related course and developed a passion for web design. Greta spends a great deal of time and effort maintaining on web page. Given her open minded, communicative, dynamic nature and possessing wide travel and international experience Greta is undoubtedly an assent for OM.

Ana- Atanassova Ivanova

Ana is a graduate of the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communications at Sofia University, majoring in Communications. Since 1997 she works in the field of advertising, public relations and film distribution. Ana is the co-founder of Brigada BBM, a full-service advertising agency and Big Bang entertainment, an independent film distribution company. Since 2005 Ana is contributor to Capital Light, an influential Bulgarian magazine for arts and leisure. Ana is the co-founder and editor of 21c Yoga – a contemporised yoga DVD series. She also serves as creative program manager of Overground Arts Alliance – a NY based not-for profit arts & culture promoting organization.

Kalin Ivanov

Kalin holds a BA and MFA in Cinematography from the National Academy of Theater & Film Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria, and an MFA in Television Production from Brooklyn College, CUNY. He has numerous film and television credits as a Director of Photography and Cameraman, director, producer and editor. Since 2000 Kalin is senior videographer, producer and editor at CUNY TV, Channel 75 in New York. In 2002 he was distinguished with a New York Emmy Award Nomination for his work on “Study with the Best”, a magazine show. Kalin is the co-producer, director of photography and editor of 21 c. Yoga – a contemporised yoga DVD series. Kalin also actively collaborates with Overground Arts Alliance, a NY based not for profit arts and culture promoting organization.

Prem Sindhu Matic
Sindu Matic is an internationally acclaimed artist recognized for his devotional singing of Bhagans. He has performed and given concerts in India, BaliIndonesia, Europe and America. Sindhu is known for his innovative contemporary approach to devotional music and has been composing modern variations of Sanskrit and Pali. He is co-founder of Global Arts Synthesis Laboratory in Switzerland, where he is in charge of the creative management of cross-cultural projects and of organizations of the company’s international performances in India , Switzerland ,Germany, Holland, Austria , Croatia.
Sindhu is a disciple of Bhagavan Sri Rajnesh and Gur Maa – a spiritual and cultural envoy promoting world healing and peace though the practice and dissemination of traditional raja yoga.Most notably Sindu, together with his wife Stella Koshambika has given concerts for Indian satellite TV. From 2003 – 2007 Sindhu has participated in a number of creative spiritual projects carried under the umbrella of Overground Arts Alliance – a NY based peace and art promoting organization. His NY singing and instrumentalist credits include “Sacred Geometry” (2004), “Archipelago Cathartica” (2005), “Qi-Yo Holistic Concert” (2005) and “Bee Pollen” (2007). Sindhu has devoted his entire career as a spiritual singer to the creation of subtle realms and vibrations through his music that breathe unconditional, inner beauty and peace.

ODIN TOWNLEY -Chairman at the United Lodge of Thesophists (Exhibit 37)
347 East 72nd Street, New York, N.Y. Tel: 212 535 2230 www.ULT.org
Odin Townley is presently serving as chairman of the Unite Lodge of Theosophists in NYC is a graduate of Columbia University, where he earned his BA in General Studies and English Language. He has authored many philosophical essays, and currently researches into the application of the theosophy in modern life. He is the chief-editor of the Theosophy Journal – a synthesis of Philosophy, Science and religion, a quarterly publication, established in 1912 by Robert Crosbie to serve theosophical interests and the study as defined by the objectives of the modern theosophical movement. Mr. Townley is the author of “The culture of solidarity”, “Buddhism on the Couch”, “Metaphysical Gardening” “Metaphysical Matrix”, “The Science of Impressions,” “A formula of Enlightenment”. Currently he runs a macrobiotic food restaurant chain and teaches in the progressive department at the United Lodge of Theosophists, conducting regular Monday Sessions on “Psychic Powers latent in man and how to unleash the hidden potential”.

LINDA STASI – Columnist for the New York Post
Linda Stasi is a columnist for the New York Post, an author, and an on-camera television host. A writer and editor for over twenty years, she was a columnist for Newsday, the Daily News, and the village Voice before joining the New York Post in 1999 as both the Sunday page two columnist (simply titled Linda Stasi), and weekday TV critic. She is the recipient of the first ever News Women’s Club of New York Front Page Award for humor writing. Before coming to newspapers, Stasi had been the beauty and health editor for Elle and Cosmopolitan, and freelance writer for cover stories and features for Ladies Home Journal, McCall’s Glamor, New Woman, etc. Linda Stasi is also the author of four books, “Simply Beautiful”, “A field Guide to Impossible Men”, “Looking Good is the Best Revenge”, and with writer partner Rosemary Rogers, “Boomer Babes: A Woman’s Guide to the Middle Ages.” Stasi is no stranger to television either, and has been a guest on “The Today Show,” “Oprah”, CNN, etc., as well as the subject for a “Forty Eight Hours”, show entitled, “Making News.” For the past five years she has been co-host of a weekend television debate program, “What a Week” with Mark Simone, a lively, funny, show that runs from Friday through Sunday on NY 1.

Prof.  Dr. Anastasya Savinova – Stage Movement Department  at National Academy of Theater & Film Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria  Address: Mladost  1797, bl. 98 b, phone: 003592 717053   

e-mail: a_semov@hotmail.com  

Dr. Savinova is  Head of Stage Movement Department to the National Academy of Theater & Film  Arts in Sofia. Born on the 13 December 1941 in Sofia Prof. Savinova graduated  from the “Krastyo Sarafov” National Academy of Theater & Film Arts majoring  in “Actor’s Mastery”. Over 35 years Prof. Savinova has been working as a  lecturer of scenic movement for all majors in the Academy – actors, mimes, puppeteers,  public speech, musical theater. Prof. Savinova was the recipient of two major  scholarships for further qualification in the St. Petersburg Theatrical Academy  and in the International School of Jacques Lecoque in Paris. She has  participated as a lecturer and as a movement expert in numerous national and  international theatrical events, festivals and scientific symposia with  reports, and statements and open lectures and performances with students of the  Academy. Dr. Savinova has authored numerous books in the field of Theater and  Stage Movement in particular. Currently Prof. Savinova is a member of the  Scenic Movement Department of the Academy, lectures as an Associated Professor  and is working on a new project in the sphere of Total Theater, trying to bridge  the arts of physical theater and the craft of mask dance.

Associate Professor, Dr. Valeri Densenko, Ph.D – Dean of the Sociology and International Relations Department at the People’s Friendship University of Russia

Prof. Valeri Denisenko is a former high honor graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Ph.D holder in History of International Relations political advisor to the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a leading expert in U.S.- Russian International Relations in the Council of Ministers and head of Social Science Department and Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in History of International Relations at People’s Friendship University of Russia in Moscow. Prof. Denisenko is author of numerous books and articles on the sociology management and theory and practice of U.S. foreign policy.  His professional standing covers posts as Head of international relations consulting department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia; strategic adviser to the Research Organizational Department to the Presidium of the National Assembly of Russia; Secretary of Research, of the People’s Academy of International Relations to the Council of Ministers of Russia Currently, Dr. Denisenko acts as head of Sociology and International Relations Department of the People’s Friendship University of Russia in Moscow. Dr. Denisenko has published numerous articles and authored over 20 books in the field of diplomacy and international relations.

Koshambika Matic Stefanovich
Koshambika Matic Stefanovich is an international, spiritually initiated visual artist, channel and painter of Yantras, sacred geometric symbols painted on a mirror, that represent different forms of cosmic energy used for meditation. Koshambika was initiated into the sacred art of Yantra creation by Indian Tantric Guru Sri Madhobi Ma. Koshambika retreated into special Tantric sites in India, in the company of her Guru, where she obtained transcendental experiences and opened herself to the divine geometry of cosmic symbols. This celestial encounter opened new vistas for her as an esoterically-aware visual artist and she devoted herself to the mystic worlds of yantras. Ever since Koshambika commits to a daily practice of meditation and purification after which she engages in esoteric painting. Her masterpieces are currently displayed in Holistic &, Yoga Centers across Europe and the U.S. and some of her items adorn the homes of art connoisseurs worldwide. Koshambika’s life is imbued with a special appreciation for nature’s hidden powers, which shapes her aesthetic values for harmonious design. As a lover of nature Koshambika, together with her husband Prem Sindu is currently creating an environmentally-friendly cosmetic line for facial products. Her wish is to bring the industrially-overwhelmed individual back to nature – to his source. As a member of Overground, Koshambika has participated in the inauguration of the New Millennium Renaissance Movement on the Mountain of Truth, Monte Verita in Ascona in 2000. Koshambika currently contributes to Overground as a visual artist and Bhajan (devotional) singer.

Nannette Bevelander is an accomplished singer and actor, and has recently rekindled her love of dance. She started performing in her native Toronto first in high school when she won the role of Lucy in “Dracula” and shortly after, at the age of 18 she played “Isaak” in the play “Abraham and Isaak” by Randy Brown at University of Toronto Victoria College Theatre. After graduating from the Canadian College of Dance at Ryerson University, she began a career of performance, choreography and teaching, both freelance and for the Canadian government, “Artists in Schools” program for whom she taught children in remote rural areas, including Native reservations in northern Manitoba as well as in Winnipeg city for 5 years. At the same time Nannette was teaching modern dance, jazz and ballet at the famous “Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers” School under the direction of Rachel Browne. After touring with her original vaudeville style cabaret show, “Feets on Tap” she came to New York where she worked in the Broadway show, “Oh Calcutta” for several years and under the directorship of Ron Nash also acted in “Under Milkwood” by Dylan Thomas and “I knock at the Door” by Sean o’Casey. She studied voice with Luigi Veccia, the renowned Roman baritone. Her operatic roles include Suor Angelica, Aida, Donna Elvira, Miss Jessel, Leonora, Santuzza, Amelia, Euridice, Adriana, Siebel. Ms. Bevelander holds degrees from Ryerson University Theatre department in Toronto, University of Arizona (BM) and Hartt School of Music at University of Hartford, CT. (MM). She holds a dance teacher certificate with the Royal Academy of Dance. As well she has given recitals and performed in regional theatre, concerts and opera productions in cities from Tucson, Arizona to Fort Eleza in the northeast of Brazil. After a recent 3 year break in her performing career she is studying again and performing with Antonia Katrandjieva and the “Overground Dance Theatre”.

Paola Scoppettuolo

 … is an internationally recognized choreographer, dance educator , artistic director “La Piroetta Dance School” in Rome, Italy and chief choreographer of  “Aleph” Contemporary Dance Company. Paola is also a high honor Philosophy scholar from the “Tor Vergata” University of Rome. She has studied  in the National Academy of Dance in Rome, where she has specialized in contemporary choreography. She also holds a diploma in Training and Development of Modern and Contemporary Choreography from the Mimma Testa Dance Centre. Her work has been distinguished with a “Contribution for Dance Activities Distinction” from the Ministry of Culture in Italy. As artistic director and choreographer of Aleph Company she has conducted ballet, professional contemporary and choreographic workshops all over the world. She is frequently invited to hold Master Classes at the I.A.L.S.,  the A.N.D. ,  the Teatro Greco in Rome  and the  Maison de la Danse" etc..  Paola has taught various workshops in Italy: at Maratea (New dance languages), Benevento (International Festival), Latina (Figures in the wind), Gallarate (Inauguration of the Teatro del Popolo), Genova  (Il palcoscenico center ). Paola is a master teacher with an international pedagogic experience that spans through Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Berlin, London and New York. As a choreographer she has conceived and staged more than 12 full-length works presented at national and international theatres. Internationally she has led workshops in Stockholm at the Italian Institute of Culture "C.M. Lerici", in New York at the "Ballet Arts" school, at the "Joyce Theatre",  in Osnabruck at the “ Haus der Jugend “ and in Varsavia at “Teatrwytwornia”. In her dance teaching she advocates “choreography as culture, art and thought” and has presented her ideas as guest teacher in seminars at, for example  the state school Liceo "B. Pascal", at “ Piccolo di Pietralata Theatre”  and at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". At present she has set up a self-financed C. A. P. (initial training course for professionals) at her school, which allows pupils from all over Italy to study daily and free with various teachers, including Paola Scoppettuolo herself. Currently, Paola is guest choreographer with Overground Dance Theatre Company in New York where she teaches and co-creates. Her attention is addressed particularly to experimenting with new techniques and new styles in an international and interdisciplinary context.

Blair Hotchner is attending Hofstra University B.A. dance program. She attended Frenchwoods Festival of the performing Arts (Summer 2003, 2004, 2005). She has a great passion for all aspect of the theater both performing and backstage work. She has been the assistant to the choreographer, Robin Becker on Drinking from My Bowl of Green Tea I Stop the War (Spring 2007), stage managed the Hofstra Masquerade’s production of Amused (Fall 2008) and performed in Liminal Waters choreographed by Curt Haworth (Spring 2009).  She interned with Amy Marshall Dance Company (Summer 2009).  Currently she is Stage Managing Hofstra’s Fall Dance Concert (2009).

Desislava Gudjunova

Born in 1976 in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, Desislava Gudjunova discovered her love for dancing and drawing at a very early age and attended the School for Choreography and later the School of Applied Arts in Sofia in 1999. After joining Marta Graham Technique Contemporary Dance Workshop by Albena Atanasova, Theater Association for Mimes and Actors directed by Alexander Iliev, Avant-garde Studio for Asian and European Theater "Serapis" in coordination with Antonia Katrandjieva and Stojan Radev, “Movement” Theater of Velio Goranov Dessislava graduated the National Academy for Theater and Film Art in Sofia majoring in Theatre Acting for Drama & Pantomime in the class of prof. Vasil Indjev. She has been living and deploying her artistry as a dancer, choreographer, educator, stage and installation designer in Vienna, Austria for more than ten years, where she is still currently living and working. Her Vienna credits include:  participation and production of work at the University of Applied Arts, Kunsthalle Wien, Medienwerckstadt, Tanz Quartier Wien, Marionettentheater Schloss Schoenbrunn. Dessislava’s dance and movement explorations are intended to awaken the intuitive, cellular memory of the body and allow individuals to delve into the subconscious impulses that fuel quotidian actions and generate association-laden provocative movement. She has gained extensive dancing and acting experience trough the art of understanding the psychology of people’s “over standing”. Her tools investigate the integrity of Movement as Medium; Audio-Visual Documenting; Space Particular Coordination; Extraordinary Performing – live impressions; Nonverbal Theater; Verbal Dance/Theater Index & Sketch. Amen…

Alessandro Blini

Born and raised in Italy, is an actor and calls himself a craftsman.  In the woodworking factory he learned cabinetry and is a skilled carpenter and Interior Designer. Alessandro has built and design set designs for shows, floats, masks and costume pieces for Carnivals in Italy and in New York.  He studied theater at HB studio and has been seen in: The secret war- by Darius Savafi; African Burial ground project (documentary film); The Renaissance faire as Don Juan; He also worked as director and playwriter on three consecutive projects: Awakening, Magic Route, Instruction from born again, with Francesco Abele in Italy. From there he started to develop shows incorporating performance and meditation, to inspire himself and others. Contact Alessandro at: meta-morphe@earthlink.net

Aga Totani was born in Denmark and began her dance career and training at 21 in New York. Since then she has worked with “Shiri Cohen” among others. Currently Aga is a student at Ballet Arts, City Center, NY, and simultaneously also does commercial work. She is part of Overground Dance Company since 2006 and most currently has performed at the UN International Peace Vigil uniting artists from all over the world under the banner of Peace in Central Park, NY. Most recently Aga has performed at the Shifters project of Overground Dance Company at New Dance Group.

Cecilia Ceresa joined Overground Dance Company in June 2008. Stemming from a musical theatre background Overground Company’s hybrid cross-genre emphasis has been a new eye opening experience for her, both physically and emotionally. Some of Cecilia’s credits include Children of Eden, Fiddler on the Roof, A Stoop on Orchard Street, and Little Shop of Horrors. Choreography credits include The Pajama Game, Bye Bye Birdie, and Vita (NYC Premier at the Merce Cunningham Studio). Cecilia is the co-founder for ACT and Company and will be debuting The Dreamer’s Ball the fall 2008. She is also a proud company member of The Wing & Drop Theatre Company. She would like to thank her friends and family for their undying support!!

Grace Bedard has worked and lived in NYC for one year. Most recently Grace has performed with Overground Arts Dance company as a lead dancer in “Blueprint”, “Peripheral Visions” and “Shifters”. In 2006 Grace directed, choreographed and performed original pieces in India with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), MT. She also performed the principle role in the 2004 to 2005 tour of Peace Child with Sidewalk Productions of YWAM, MT. She has performed in numerous theatrical roles including Ariel in The Tempest by William Shakespeare and Hitler in “The Holocaust threw the eyes of a Child” by Barbara Mullen. Grace is honored to work with Antonia Katrandjieva and Overground Alliance and looks forward to this Season with them.

Motoko Tadano was born in Japan and began her dance training in ballet at the Michiko Nomura Ballet Academy. She has worked as a lead dancer and soloist for the Ballet Academy to which she pertains. Motoko has performed for numerous Dance Festivals all over Japan. She then moved to New York City to further her dance training and performance skills in Modern and Contemporary Dance and Choreography. Motoko has completed the trainee program of Martha Graham School for Dance in New York and she has frequently performed in showcases and International Dance Festivals that enabled her to work with various modern choreographers. At present she is undergoing a dance training at Ballet Arts with a strong emphasis on contemporary dance. Currently, Motoko is extending her career by working with the choreographers of various styles, for instance Oriental Fusion Dance Performance with Diva - JPN in 2007, Hip-Hop Performance for the NYC local TVshow in 2008, and most recently, she has performed in physical theatre, dance drama and contemporary dance full-length works of choreographer Antonia Katrandjieva as a lead dancer in Overground Dance Company, which she joined in 2006.

Ji-Yeon graduated the Kyun-won University in Seul, Korea and between 2004 - 2008 joined the ZIT Jazzdance Company in Seul as a dancer and choreographer. She has performed at the Annual Showcase of ZIT Jazz Dance and the Korean Women Opening Show in 2006 celebrating the “Pas” Dance Center Opening in Korea. She came to New York in June 2008 and is currently a student of Ballet Arts at City Center for the Dance. She joined Overground Dance Company in October 2008 and will be participating in the upcoming Av@tar project to premier at Judson Memorial Church of May, 2009.

Kristina Stukalenko started her movement education as a gymnast and a ballroom dancer. She graduated from La Guradia High School for Performing Arts with a dance major with a Graham emphasis. She has participated in all the Senior Showcases at La Guardia as a dancer, and since 2007 has been studying contemporary dance technique and physical theatre with Antonia Katrandjieva at Ballet Arts City Center for Dance and at New Dance Group. Kristina is a member of Overground Dance Company since October 2008.

Larissa Chaadaeva is a graduate from the School of Journalism of St. Petersburg University of Russia. Larissa has participated in numerous acting and psychodrama forums across the Russian Federation and has moderated an independent culture & art transmission in Moscow and St. Petersburg Television. She has been a student of Qi-Yo 21c. Yoga and is currently assisting the Qi-Yo Yoga Workshops in New York. She joined Overground Dance Company in 2008 and will currently participate in the Avatar Project bridging yoga and healing theatre.

Natasha Romashova is an Art student devoted to promoting culture and spirituality through arts synthesis. She has studied ritual dance and theatre with Overground Arts Alliance and since 2005 is a member of Overground Dance Company. She has performed at the United Lodge of Theosophists and Theosophy Hall in NYC in "Archipelago Cathartica" and Dragon Eternity". She has studied yoga at the Qi-Yo Holistic Center in Brooklyn. Natasha has been costume designer for Overground Dance Company for the past 4 years, weaving her artistry and holistic ideas into a subtle lacework of fabric, texture and color. She will participate as a yoga dancer in the upcoming project of Overground Dance Company.

Mari Sakahara is a native of Kyoto, Japan, where she studied Japanese traditional dance and worked as a teaching assistant for the Traditional Theater Training Program. Mari has performed the role of the Princess of Heian at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto as a sacred dancer for 7 years, as well as the roles of “Fuji Musume” at the Kyoto Performing Arts Center, and has participated in the contemporary opera “Lake Reflection” at the Biwako Opera House in 1999. Mari Sakahara has studied modern dance with choreographer Hidi Durning, known for fusing Japanese and contemporary dance. She has completed the Professional Teaching Certification Program of the International Isadora Duncan Institute in NY, and teaches at the at the Isadora Duncan Children’s Summer Camp in Connecticut. She has performed with Michiyo Sato & Dancers in “The Plum Tree is in Bloom” at the Joyce Soho in NYC in a commemorative celebration of 150 years US-Japanese Relations. She currently dances with the IDII dancers in venues such as: 92nd street Y, The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum (Rutgers University), Life Bride Sanctuary in High Falls, NY. She has choreographed and performed with the New York String Society for the past two fall seasons. She is currently a student at Ballet Arts in NYC. Mari would like to express her appreciation to Antonia for always supporting her spirit and her dance.