Bio and Press Material
Bio option 1 - long
Navaro Franco has devoted her life to studying tribal music, ecstatic dance, and Earth based wisdom. Beginning in 1982, she apprenticed with renowned teachers in North America and Africa. As a performer and teacher, Navaro has presented in community, corporate, and educational settings for 22 years. She has played in traditional Zimbabwean and West African ensembles, as well as co-creating original music from those foundations with such groups as Pepe Danza;s Drum Prayers, The Wave Collective, and DivaDrum. Navaro plays percussion and sings with Kurai Mubaiwa and Curtis Andrews in Zimbabwean music group, Zhambai Trio. She also works in the Corporate world with The Drum Cafe, and collaborates with individuals such as Didjeridu master Shine Edgar. Her synthesis of traditional and modern forms is shared to create community and beauty.
A lifetime practice of yoga and dance also deeply inform Navaro's musical work, giving her a special emphasis on embodied rhythm. Navaro plays the African Djembe, Bass Drum Jun Jun, Gourd Shaker Shekere, and the complex 22 key Southern African Thumb Piano, Mbira. She also performs solo dances which are Earth Prayers.
http://www.navarofranco.com
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Bio option 2 - briefer
Navaro Franco has devoted her life to studying tribal rhythm and chant, energy healing, many forms of dance, and Earth based wisdom traditions. Beginning in 1982, she apprenticed with renowned teachers in North America and Africa. She has performed and taught drumming and dance for 30 years. Navaro has a particular interest in recovering ancient wisdom through musical embodiment and community. Using simple tools that we all carry within us, we remember the power and beauty that we are as human beings.
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Navaro Franco has devoted her life to studying tribal music, ecstatic dance, and Earth based wisdom. Beginning in 1982, she apprenticed with renowned teachers in North America and Africa. As a performer and teacher, Navaro has presented in community, corporate, and educational settings for 22 years. She has played in traditional Zimbabwean and West African ensembles, as well as co-creating original music from those foundations with such groups as Pepe Danza;s Drum Prayers, The Wave Collective, and DivaDrum. Navaro plays percussion and sings with Kurai Mubaiwa and Curtis Andrews in Zimbabwean music group, Zhambai Trio. She also works in the Corporate world with The Drum Cafe, and collaborates with individuals such as Didjeridu master Shine Edgar. Her synthesis of traditional and modern forms is shared to create community and beauty.
A lifetime practice of yoga and dance also deeply inform Navaro's musical work, giving her a special emphasis on embodied rhythm. Navaro plays the African Djembe, Bass Drum Jun Jun, Gourd Shaker Shekere, and the complex 22 key Southern African Thumb Piano, Mbira. She also performs solo dances which are Earth Prayers.
http://www.navarofranco.com
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Bio option 2 - briefer
Navaro Franco has devoted her life to studying tribal rhythm and chant, energy healing, many forms of dance, and Earth based wisdom traditions. Beginning in 1982, she apprenticed with renowned teachers in North America and Africa. She has performed and taught drumming and dance for 30 years. Navaro has a particular interest in recovering ancient wisdom through musical embodiment and community. Using simple tools that we all carry within us, we remember the power and beauty that we are as human beings.
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Currently Navaro Performs With:
~ Kurai Mubaiwa, Zimbabwean Music http://www.myspace.com/zimbamoto
~ DivaDrum, World Rhythms & Dance http://www.navarofranco.com
~ Drum Cafe, Corporate Performance & Group Facilitation http://www.drumcafe.ca/
~ Bocephus King, Folk, Rock, Funk http://www.myspace.com/bocephusking
~ Rio Samaya, Latin Music http://riosamayaband.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathara-Dance-Theater-Collective-Canada/71519486935?sk=photos
~ Jacky Essombe Village, West African Drumming & Dance http://jackyessombe.com/
~ Joseph Pepe Danza, Afro-Latin and World Music http://www.pepedanza.com
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~ Kurai Mubaiwa, Zimbabwean Music http://www.myspace.com/zimbamoto
~ DivaDrum, World Rhythms & Dance http://www.navarofranco.com
~ Drum Cafe, Corporate Performance & Group Facilitation http://www.drumcafe.ca/
~ Bocephus King, Folk, Rock, Funk http://www.myspace.com/bocephusking
~ Rio Samaya, Latin Music http://riosamayaband.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathara-Dance-Theater-Collective-Canada/71519486935?sk=photos
~ Jacky Essombe Village, West African Drumming & Dance http://jackyessombe.com/
~ Joseph Pepe Danza, Afro-Latin and World Music http://www.pepedanza.com
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Teaching & Performance History & Highlights:
~ Zhambai Trio with Curtis Andrews and Kurai Mubaiwa, 2010 to present
~ Pancho and Sal and Guest Artists, Sundays at East is East on Main St. thru 2011
~ Sambata, Brazilian Percussion and Dance, 2010 thru 2011 http://www.sambata.org/
~ Kathara, Traditional Philipeno Music & Dance Ensemble 2011
~ Langara College Drum Workshop Presenter, 2011
~ Halifax's Renowned 'Drum!' Show, all Vancouver Winter Olympics Venues, 2010
~ Vancouver Sacred Dance Festival:
Committee Member, Choreographer, Dancer, Musician, 2009
Committee Member, Choreography and Dance Performance with Little Woo, 2010
~ Simon Fraser University Drum Workshop Presenter, 2010
~ Seattle World Rhythm Festival, Music and Dance Performance & Teaching, 2005-2010
~ Maiwa Foundation, Annual Fashion Show: Choreographer, Dancer, 2005, 2007, 2011
~ BC Art Starts School Shows in Vancouver,
with Mandido Morris's "Have Drums Will Travel", 2005-2007
~ Japanese Taiko Drum Training and Performance with Alisa Kage, Victoria BC, 2004
~ Hollyhock Retreat Center, Cortes Island, BC: Drum Workshop Presenter in 2001
~ Waldorf Schools Vancouver and Vancouver Island: Music & Dance Instructor, 2000-2006
~ Earth Prayers Ecstatic Dance Facilitator, Private Events, and at Just Dance-Journeys, 2000 to 2011
~ BC Art Starts School Shows, touring in BC, with Marimba Muzuva, 1995-2000
~ Mhembero Dance and Music Ensemble, Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, Dance Performance, 2000
~ Gordy Ryan's Island Rhythm. 25 Member West African and New Orleans Rhythm Ensemble:
Drums, Percussion, Dance, 1997-2000
~ Marimba Muzuva, Zimbabwean Music and Dance Ensemble, 1994-2000
~ Zimbabwean Music Festival, in the U.S. and Canada: Instructor, Performer, 1996-1999
~ Kumbia Latin Music Group, Percussionist, 1995-1997
~ Privately Taught Drum and Dance Classes 1987 to present, Montreal, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, USA, and Vancouver.
~ Zhambai Trio with Curtis Andrews and Kurai Mubaiwa, 2010 to present
~ Pancho and Sal and Guest Artists, Sundays at East is East on Main St. thru 2011
~ Sambata, Brazilian Percussion and Dance, 2010 thru 2011 http://www.sambata.org/
~ Kathara, Traditional Philipeno Music & Dance Ensemble 2011
~ Langara College Drum Workshop Presenter, 2011
~ Halifax's Renowned 'Drum!' Show, all Vancouver Winter Olympics Venues, 2010
~ Vancouver Sacred Dance Festival:
Committee Member, Choreographer, Dancer, Musician, 2009
Committee Member, Choreography and Dance Performance with Little Woo, 2010
~ Simon Fraser University Drum Workshop Presenter, 2010
~ Seattle World Rhythm Festival, Music and Dance Performance & Teaching, 2005-2010
~ Maiwa Foundation, Annual Fashion Show: Choreographer, Dancer, 2005, 2007, 2011
~ BC Art Starts School Shows in Vancouver,
with Mandido Morris's "Have Drums Will Travel", 2005-2007
~ Japanese Taiko Drum Training and Performance with Alisa Kage, Victoria BC, 2004
~ Hollyhock Retreat Center, Cortes Island, BC: Drum Workshop Presenter in 2001
~ Waldorf Schools Vancouver and Vancouver Island: Music & Dance Instructor, 2000-2006
~ Earth Prayers Ecstatic Dance Facilitator, Private Events, and at Just Dance-Journeys, 2000 to 2011
~ BC Art Starts School Shows, touring in BC, with Marimba Muzuva, 1995-2000
~ Mhembero Dance and Music Ensemble, Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, Dance Performance, 2000
~ Gordy Ryan's Island Rhythm. 25 Member West African and New Orleans Rhythm Ensemble:
Drums, Percussion, Dance, 1997-2000
~ Marimba Muzuva, Zimbabwean Music and Dance Ensemble, 1994-2000
~ Zimbabwean Music Festival, in the U.S. and Canada: Instructor, Performer, 1996-1999
~ Kumbia Latin Music Group, Percussionist, 1995-1997
~ Privately Taught Drum and Dance Classes 1987 to present, Montreal, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, USA, and Vancouver.
Studies
~ Paul Bray, Brazilian Samba Music, Classes & Community Band Membership 2010 & 2011
~ Joseph Pepe Danza, World Music & Rhythm, Vancouver, 5 year Mentorship 2001-2005
~ Taiko Drumming Training & Performance with Alisa Kage, Victoria BC, 2004
~ Mhembero Dance & Music Ensemble, Zimbabwe, 2000
~ Babatunde Olatunji's Music & Gordy Ryan's New Orleans Funk with Island Rhythm, 1997-2000
~ Various Teachers, West African, Zimbabwean and Latin Music, 1987-1997
~ First Nations Teachings, Pat Hendrickson, Lakota Ways, 1991-1993
~ Polarity Therapy & Energy Healing, Montreal, 1985-1987
~ Contact Dance & Improvisational Dance, Andrew Harwood, Montreal, 1985-1987
~ Peter Bingham & EDAM Experimental Dance & Music, Apprenticeship, 1982-1985
~ African Drumming with Mandido Morris, 1982-1985
~ Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Interdisciplinary Studies, 1982-1985
~ Paul Bray, Brazilian Samba Music, Classes & Community Band Membership 2010 & 2011
~ Joseph Pepe Danza, World Music & Rhythm, Vancouver, 5 year Mentorship 2001-2005
~ Taiko Drumming Training & Performance with Alisa Kage, Victoria BC, 2004
~ Mhembero Dance & Music Ensemble, Zimbabwe, 2000
~ Babatunde Olatunji's Music & Gordy Ryan's New Orleans Funk with Island Rhythm, 1997-2000
~ Various Teachers, West African, Zimbabwean and Latin Music, 1987-1997
~ First Nations Teachings, Pat Hendrickson, Lakota Ways, 1991-1993
~ Polarity Therapy & Energy Healing, Montreal, 1985-1987
~ Contact Dance & Improvisational Dance, Andrew Harwood, Montreal, 1985-1987
~ Peter Bingham & EDAM Experimental Dance & Music, Apprenticeship, 1982-1985
~ African Drumming with Mandido Morris, 1982-1985
~ Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Interdisciplinary Studies, 1982-1985
