Regina Califa
Ms. Califa's most profound African dance experience was first with Ta Malonga Casquelourd himself, ushered by dance mentor Paula Fleury-McCullum, at Berkeley High School. After college, she joined Fua Dia Congo and became a founding member of an all female-drum corp, Diata, Diata!
 
With over a 20-year, multi-faceted African dance base, Ms. Califa's instruction, choreography and performances have appeared at Lahydi Dance Conference, the Black Choreographer's Festival, Cuba Caribe and the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. Her works include an illustrious 17-year directorial tenure with award-winning Fogo Na Roupa Groupo Carnavalesco, founded by virtuoso Carlos Aceituno and principles roles with Obakoso, Emese': MOTAD and De Rompe y Raja. Cultivating ongoing fieldwork, she maintains consistent study and travel to Brasil, Cuba and Nigeria. Bridged with the next generation of this legacy, Califa's dance mediumship will offer folkloric traditions of Cuba and Brasil and their Congo tributaries.
 
Regina's website: http://www.califa510.com/home.html