Rarely
in the realm of the arts can one performer assimilate and successfully
interpret influences from so many diverse cultures as to truly be called
"universal".
Tahja is one of those
rare artists.
Her early sojourns abroad with
her family sparked an unquenchable curiosity for the world’s cultural
richness. These travels kindled in her a passion for performance of world
music and dance that has taken Tahja from Polynesia and Central America to
the Middle East and Europe where she has been lauded for not only her
magical performances, but also for her deep understanding of the cultures
she is interpreting.
Tahja
feels that a total cultural experience is necessary to correctly interpret
ethnic music and dance. An enthusiastic and gifted musician and singer,
she plays the music that she interprets in the dance. (Her only dilemma
is not being able to dance and play simultaneously!) Through the music,
she has a deep understanding of the dance, and through the dance the true
import of the music. Her knowledge of languages and cultures has made her
a true world cultural ambassador.
Tahja
is currently the artistic director of her own dance and music production
company, International Productions, located in Sarasota, Florida.
Through the dance company, she is able to express and develop her
extraordinary gifts as choreographer in Middle Eastern, Polynesian,
Spanish flamenco and Afro-Caribbean dance. She is also the director of
her own international music ensemble, Tahja’s Gypsy Band that plays music
from over thirty countries on authentic acoustic instruments. She is
featured vocalist with the ensemble where she also plays guitar, ukulele, oud,
and percussion.
Tahja
is also a gifted instructor who is able to share with her students the
passion that she has for dance and music. She is able to impart to her
students those secrets of the dance that make her performances so unique
and magical. She has even developed a particular style of teaching and
analyzing movements featured in her video:
The Tahja Technique of Middle Eastern Dance.
In her performances there is a mysterious magic that
transports audiences to distant lands, delicateness, combined with her
natural beauty and vivaciousness, that has captivated audiences around the
world.
For bookings please
call International Productions by Tahja (941) 349-3494.