SpiritFire strives to offer daytime workshops and affinity groups while continuing to create an event flow that allows for a variety of experiences without feeling hectic. You’ll start to see our amazing presenters here as they are put into the schedule.
2023 Presenters:
Aidan Linden (Rhythm as Seva)
Aidan grew up participating in sacred fire circles and he has devoted his life to the paths of music and voice. He holds a BA and MM in music education. Aidan studied West African Malinke drumming with master drummers and culture-bearers from Guinea such as Fana Bangoura and Bisko Kaba. He has performed in West African percussion in ensembles for more than 10 years. He currently teaches middle and high school music in Western Massachusetts and is an active classical vocalist. One of Aidan’s greatest joys comes from the magic of creating music with others, and another comes from sharing his passion for music through teaching.
Irene Glasse (All Levels Vinyasa Yoga)
Irene Glasse is a Mystic Witch and ERYT-200 based in Western Maryland. She is President of the Frederick Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, organizing and offering Pagan events, rituals, classes and workshops to a large, vibrant community. She is cofounder of Blackfeather Mystery School and coauthor of ‘Blackfeather Mystery School: The Magpie Training.’ Irene also offers readings, healings, pastoral counseling services, magickal and ritual work, guided study, yoga classes and more both in person and remotely through her website, www.GlasseWitchCottage.com
Amanda Turk (Middle Eastern Percussion/Rhythms)
Amanda holds the generational beat of the drum in her blood. Both her father and her maternal grandfather were drummers. She grew up in the epicenter of the music world with her family business, Colony Records, in NYC. In 2006 she discovered the darbuka, a type of tabla, and passionately began her study of Middle Eastern percussion under the guidance of contemporary masters Raquy Danziger (Brooklyn/Istanbul), Bunyamin Olguncan (Istanbul), and Todd Roach (Brattleboro, VT), Zohar Fresco(Israel). She makes regular pilgrimages to Turkey to delve deeper into a style called the Turkish Split Hand Technique and applies these techniques to a variety of drums including frame drum, riq, handpan and cajon. When her hands are not on a drum, Amanda nurtures her community with her passion for bodywork in a 22 year massage therapy practice in Northampton, MA.
Alice Heller (African Dance for the Fire Circle)
A passionate student, performer, Instructor and choreographer of West African dance for over 30 years Alice has been a member of various dance groups under the directions of Ibrahima Camara, Fatou N’Daiye, Fatou Carol Sylla as well as her own troupe. Alice enjoys sharing and igniting the passion for African dance and culture through classes, workshops and drum/dance circles throughout Massachusetts. She offers group and private instructions to adults and children and Nia- somatic fitness classes. Visit her studio in Williamsburg MA. www.alicehellerdance.com
Eileen Jager (The Crystal)
I’m passionate about creating beauty and balance in our lives through making art and artful environments. The rhythms and cycles of nature and the vibrational qualities of light and color are my muse. My work creates a feeling of peace and sanctuary, an oasis for inspiration and introspection. As an artist, feng shui consultant and transformative coach I weave together formal training, life experience and intuitive skills. I believe in power of art to transform, enrich and create wellbeing in our lives.
Deborah Watrous (The Crystal)
RN, Motherwave trainer, breath-worker, grief dancer. Dedicated to feeling it all… the agonies and the ecstasies of life while living in gratitude every day. Head in the Sky, Feet on the Earth… I dance!
Eliza Dimitra (Embodying Animism)
Eliza Dimitra (she/they) is a Radical Animist & Southern Queer Witch, bringing together esoteric movement & education of pagan indigenous traditions. Their personal religious practice consists of northern Europe & the Western Mediterranean & their paths of wisdom through trance & altered states. Decolonial Animism & reconnecting with the natural world is central in their work of environmental anthropology. This drives their passion to pursue scholarly work & gather people together to have happy floppy time, aka trance.