Umfundalai - A Contemporary African Dance Workshop
See more information about Umfundalai - A Contemporary African Dance WorkshopMedium: Dance
When Ancestors Speak
Ancestors shape our future, recalling the past, and guiding self-reflection. This piece envisions their dialogues, exploring untold exchanges and potential manifestations
Music: Golden Sun: By Sound Effects Zone, Composed by: Marco Rinaldo
Music: Golden Sun: By Sound Effects Zone, Composed by: Marco Rinaldo
2021-2022 Reel
For a glimpse of my work in video, theater, and community events, please explore the links on my website, where you’ll find footage and detailed project offerings and descriptions.
Medium: Dance
Year: 2021-22
Testimonials
Audience feedback from the performance and a photo of students participating in the master class.
Medium: Dance
Dance Unites Reel
We Love the Vibes - A Culturally Responsive Celebration of Jamaican Dancehall is an
engaging and educational school performance that highlights the vibrant world of Dancehall, a
genre of music and dance that transcends borders and resonates with diverse communities
worldwide. This show is designed to not only entertain but also to foster cultural appreciation
and awareness, making it an ideal fit for schools committed to culturally responsive teaching.
Through dynamic performances and interactive demonstrations, students will learn about the
history, movements, and social impact of Dancehall, all while exploring its connections to
themes of identity, self-expression, and community. The performance emphasizes the cultural
relevance of Dancehall across various backgrounds, encouraging students to understand and
respect the ways in which dance can reflect personal and collective experiences.
Raediant Movement’s approach to teaching Dancehall is rooted in inclusivity, recognizing the
genre's global influence and offering students a chance to engage with the principles
(community, self-expression, empowerment, and innovation) in ways that resonate with their
own cultural contexts. This celebration of movement and music empowers students to connect
with Dancehall on a personal level, fostering curiosity and cultural exchange.
engaging and educational school performance that highlights the vibrant world of Dancehall, a
genre of music and dance that transcends borders and resonates with diverse communities
worldwide. This show is designed to not only entertain but also to foster cultural appreciation
and awareness, making it an ideal fit for schools committed to culturally responsive teaching.
Through dynamic performances and interactive demonstrations, students will learn about the
history, movements, and social impact of Dancehall, all while exploring its connections to
themes of identity, self-expression, and community. The performance emphasizes the cultural
relevance of Dancehall across various backgrounds, encouraging students to understand and
respect the ways in which dance can reflect personal and collective experiences.
Raediant Movement’s approach to teaching Dancehall is rooted in inclusivity, recognizing the
genre's global influence and offering students a chance to engage with the principles
(community, self-expression, empowerment, and innovation) in ways that resonate with their
own cultural contexts. This celebration of movement and music empowers students to connect
with Dancehall on a personal level, fostering curiosity and cultural exchange.
Medium: Dance
Erica Rae Smith is the Founder and Artistic Director of Raediant Movement LLC. A Philadelphia native, she holds a BFA in Modern Dance from The University of the Arts. Her training spans traditional South African, Jamaican Dancehall, Caribbean Folk, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Horton, and Umfundalai techniques. Erica has performed professionally with companies such as Mahogany Dance Theater, Tania Isaac Dance, Valerie Branch Dance Ensemble, and Lesole’s Dance Project.
Femininity and feminine performance is a double-edged sword, simultaneously beautiful and violent. Through art, I strives to create meditative and cathartic moments that honor sacred contradictions within the aesthetic and socio-political category of 'feminine'.
Thejashwini Ramarao | Bharathanatyam
Bharathanatyam pieces performed for Shri Guruvayurappan temple for Margazhi festival 2022.
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Padma Paadam School of Performing Arts Inc Presents a dance drama on the life of Shree Rama.
Script, Choreography and Directed by Vidushi Thejashwini Ramarao
Script, Choreography and Directed by Vidushi Thejashwini Ramarao