Staff
The 2010 staff are:
Martin Bridge (Visual Arts/Design)
Martin Clark Bridge was born into a lineage of artists and teachers. He is proudly carrying this family tradition forth as he lives, creates and teaches in the hills of Western Massachusetts. His work spans a wide range of media from Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Theater Design and Site Specific Installations to Performance. His Spiritual Path as an Animist first and foremost influences his art. His work celebrates the sacredness inherent in nature, the consciousness in all things and power of place and seeks to challenge the cultural paradigms that dictate the way we relate to both the natural world and our brothers and sisters. Through his work he hopes to inspire and cultivate a greater sense of mystery and possibility in our experience of the world.
Jeanette Ladores (Vending Coordinator, Medical Lead)
Jeanette A. Ladores, CCRN has studied rhythm as a vehicle for healing and transformation for over 10 years. With foundations in frame drumming for Shamanic states of consciousness, she has studied African drumming and rhythm with teachers such as Joe Barnes, Yaya Diallo, Madeline "Yayo" Nelson, Chuck Wood, and Michael Marcus.
Brighid Murphy (Presenter Coordinator)
Brighid is a shamanic practitioner and student of the healing arts. An advocate and guardian for the young, she currently works at a center for children and teenagers in Western Massachusetts. She experiences the fire circle as a sacred opportunity for exploring connection and creating change. Within the circle, she serves as a guardian for the container which supports our community. Her gratitude and reverence for the sacred circle leads her to work in service at SpiritFire Festival and other festivals she attends.
V. Josselyne Price (Gathering Coordinator)
V. Josselyne Price, M.A. is a percussionist and ethnomusicologist, specializing in ritual and rhythm of West Africa (Ghana) and North America. Additionally, she has worked as a studio percussionist and vocalist in many recording projects throughout the United States. She currently lives in Middlebury, VT, and is on faculty at a private college teaching Ghanaian drumming and World Music courses. Josselyne serves in advisory/facilitator roles for many other national and local-level drum and dance based events; her work at the circle includes enhancing the connection between the pathways and exploring the archetype of the guardian through sound/music.
Janet Riley (Web Design, On Site Registration)
Janet Riley joined the staff in 2006 as PR goddess. She currently serves with her amazing code and web skills, helping to reorganize our website and registration process. On site she coordinates the check-in table, and carries a deep spirit of guardianship at the fire circle.
Steve Trombulak (Director of Operations)
Steve Trombulak is a conservation biologist who has for several years explored the connections between community and humanity's relationship with the natural world. These explorations have drawn him to drumming in the West African tradition as a focus for community empowerment and expression. He has lived in Middlebury, VT, for the past 20 years, and has presented and played numerous support roles at drum and dance festivals around the U.S.
Lela Tutka (Scholarship Committee Lead, Crew Leader Point)
Lela is an accomplished elementary education teacher and performing artist, who has spent the past decade exploring various forms of healing while healing herself. Now, she draws elements from her journey to share forms of art that have been brought to her, such as stained glass, which she is honored to share at SpiritFire.
Yuri Tutka (Fire Tending Lead)
Yuri is an aspiring creative artist and builder of all things buildable. He has spent the past several years removing himself from the corporate world while he and his wife Lela built their personal home/sanctuary in the woods of Southern New Jersey. This has given him the time and energy to become more involved with and give back to the community that has become his family. Yuri is leading our amazing fire affinity group - their work feeds our magic!