The Story and Philosophy of Axé
It has always been a dream of mine to have my own dance company and I always knew that it was to be called Sol Vida (Sun Life/Soul Life). Through the encouragement of friends and community, Sol Vida was born at Revoluciones Collective Art Space in 2003. We are now proud to have our own space that is flourishing with life and creativity.
I have been teaching for over a decade with 25 years of practice in the dance world. I have learned a ton along the way and have been able to shape a very solid philosophy and approach to teaching dance and performing arts. It’s all about bringing out the best in each individual. It’s about giving people the space and discipline to truly define their art and be themselves. Part of our creed is that life is a “No Can’t Zone,” I want my students to believe in themselves, take risks, and become better than they ever imagined.
Official Bio
Axé began her dance studies at the age of nine at Gayton Contemporary Dance. As a pioneer of the Denver School of the Arts as a dancer, singer, and creative writer, she was a member of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance TraininGroup , studying ballet, Dunham and Horton technique, Egyptian, and Jazz. She traveled to West Africa to study dancing and drumming in 1998 with the Ghana Dance Ensemble and in 2007 with the Mensah Family. Her love for hip hop music and dance began in the late 90’s while performing with the groups Constant Elevation and DenCity Tribe. In 2002, she gained an Individualized degree in Writing and Performance from MSCD and passed the Colorado PLACE Content Exam in Drama in 2009. She continues her practice of learning by studying as many different styles of dance, movement therapies and theatrical arts as possible.
Having been an active member of the Denver and Boulder performing arts community for over 20 years, Axé has taught for Catchpenny Kids Theatre, Colorado Ballet, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and is the premiere choreographer for the East High School Drama & Music departments, as well as the Rocky Mountain Children’s Choir. She frequently choreographs popular productions such as: Footloose, Grease, West Side Story, Guys & Dolls, The Lion King, The Producers, Cinderella, Willy Wonka, Wonderland, and more. She has been commissioned for several residencies and has been a guest artist in several private schools including Kent Denver School, Stanley British Primary, Denver Waldorf School in addition to several public schools in the Boulder Valley, Cherry Creek, Denver Public, and Jefferson County School Districts through a myriad of creative projects and workshops.
Personal Production History
Blues for Mr. Charlie, Cry Me a River, No Mo’, Harriet Tubman Visits a Therapist, Runaways, The Emperor Jones, SOL BOUND: Stomping Spirits, Breaking Spirits, Catch Me Beaming (2008 Pick of The Fringe Winners), Allied Witches Convention, Rappers Stopping Violence and Prejudice, Hydraluics Phat Like Mean and many Sol Vida dances along the way!
Give Thanks!
It has always been my goal to give back to the world all the gifts I received in my dance and life classrooms. I’d like to acknowledge the people who have helped me to become who I am as a dancer, teacher and human being.
Karla Lewis, Justine Zollo, Iraku Hikaru, Nejla Yatkin, Cleo Parker Robinson, Melissa Michaels, Baba “Fred”, Curtis Fraser, Tanya Reed Russell, Ronnie Whittaker, Robin and Jody Gayton, Susan Richardson, Thomas Dixon, Rosangle Silvestre, Benjamin and Mercy Ayette, Kathy Hayes, Dr. Marilyn “Cookie” Hetzel, DeAndre’ Carroll, Jay Riley, Melody Duggan, Will Taylor, Lisa Cameron, Lee Lee Newcomb, Josh Putnam, you and you and you!
