Bridge To Tariro's California Dream

As we enter into the New Year, America beckons me. I’m thrilled to announce that I've just been offered an amazing scholarship opportunity to extend my arts training in California. But I need a little help to bridge the gap for this next endeavor!

As many of you may know, I have been training hard to complete level 1 training over the past four months at Tamalpa Institute in Northern California. The Tamalpa Institute is a movement based expressive arts institute that was co-founded in 1978 by legendary dance and expressive arts therapy pioneer Anna Halprin. This training has been a once in a life time opportunity for me to work with an internationally recognised choreographer and pioneer of the post-modern dance movement.

I am very humbled and excited to be offered a highly sought after scholarship to complete level 2 training by the Institute, who have recognised my work and commitment to their training program. Working with world leading practitioners to further refine my writing, performing, movement, visual art, singing and communication skills is a wonderful chance to develop my own personal framework for continued facilitation, teaching and performance practice.


As a multidisciplinary artist of Zimbabwean descent, I frequently work with culturally and linguistically diverse young performing artists and women from marginalised and disadvantaged communities. This Tamalpa opportunity to further develop my artistic skills and reflect on what I have learned, is much needed. This training can only help me to refine and strengthen the services that I provide to different sectors I work across.


This next level of training would enable me to:

> Focus on developing my own pedagogical framework using clear and precise processes for when I am facilitating or teaching:

- Theatre workshops

- Performance poetry workshop

- Movement/Dance workshops

- Drawing workshops in different settings i.e. community, education, health, prisons, detention centers etc

> Focus on developing my own style using clear and precise models to generate new and original works. Performance outcomes include an intention to tour festivals, secure residencies with theatre companies and organizations locally, nationally and internationally

> Focus on strengthening my public speaking skills

> Focus on developing coaching skills so I can deliver even higher quality one on one performance coaching


In order for me to accept Tamalpa’s scholarship offer I am seeking funds through multiple sources.

The training commences 15th February and ends 3rd June 2016. To accept this offer I will need:

Insurances & Accommodation: $3200

Living Expenses & transportation: $4000

I am seeking a crowd funding contribution of $2700

If you feel inclined to support me in realising my "California Dream" in anyway, big or small, I would be truly grateful and deeply appreciative of that assistance.

x Tariro Mavondo