Omega West Liturgical Dance Company
Omega West is a professional liturgical dance company, made up of an interfaith group of dancers under the direction of Carla DeSola, the founder.
Located in Berkeley, California, Omega West Dance Compnay was founded in 1992 to express the spiritual-human-social-healing dimension of dance; to explore inner aspects of movement intergrated with the world's spiritual resources; to bring dance into religious observances and in concert for all settings including the liturgical framework.
Dedicated to the explorations of the sacred in dance, the company members describe Omega West as "...a voice in the sacred dance movement, invoking and serving a vision of peace, community, spirituality, healing and enjoyment through the medium of dance.
Each member of the company is an unique artist dedicated to personal and spiritual growth and service to others. The company members conduct workshops, perform concerts, choreograph for and perform in liturgies and religious services for churches, synagogues, schools, and retreat centers.
Located in Berkeley, California, Omega West Dance Compnay was founded in 1992 to express the spiritual-human-social-healing dimension of dance; to explore inner aspects of movement intergrated with the world's spiritual resources; to bring dance into religious observances and in concert for all settings including the liturgical framework.
Dedicated to the explorations of the sacred in dance, the company members describe Omega West as "...a voice in the sacred dance movement, invoking and serving a vision of peace, community, spirituality, healing and enjoyment through the medium of dance.
Each member of the company is an unique artist dedicated to personal and spiritual growth and service to others. The company members conduct workshops, perform concerts, choreograph for and perform in liturgies and religious services for churches, synagogues, schools, and retreat centers.
Company Members
Carla De Sola, Berkeley, CA
Carla is the founder of Omega Dance Company in NYC, the director of Omega West in Berkeley, and a pioneer in the field of liturgical dance. She is a graduate of Juilliard and the Pacific School of Religion. She is a prolific choreographer and writer. Her books include "The Spirit Moves...A Handbook of Dance and Prayer", "PeaceRites", and the videos "DancePrayer", and "Movement Meditations to the Songs of Taizé". She choreographs, teaches, and leads workshops in the Bay Area and throughout the world. 
Enver Rahmanov, Berkeley, CA
I was born and raised in the former Soviet Republic Turkmenistan where I was trained as a folk dancer with a regional youth ensemble touring all over the USSR before its collapse. I began dancing with Carla as a student at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA in Fall 2001. While I am not a formal member of Omega West Dance, I have facilitated one of the company's main works - Beyond Words Interfaith Peace ritual - in several places of worship since 2003. Working with Carla inspired me to focus on inter-religious studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, where I received my Master of Arts in 2015. Today, I continue my interfaith work at a hospice and respite care nonprofit in San Francisco, helping bring more art into holistic end of life care. Contact Enver. |
Karin Jensen, Alameda, CA
I belong to First Congregational Church of Alameda, United Church of Christ. I began studying with Carla and dancing with Omega West in 2010. I have trained in classical ballet throughout my life and performed with regional companies including San Jose Dance Theater, Berkeley City Ballet, and Alameda Civic Ballet. In 2014, I graduated from Ballroom Dance Teacher's College and am a DVIDA certified Argentine Tango instructor. I teach ballet to children at Alameda Ballet Academy and ballroom dancing at Just Dance Ballroom in Oakland. Contact Karin 
Claudia Florian McCaffrey, Walnut Creek, CA
I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am a modern dance graduate from the Juilliard School, a teacher, choreographer, and Yoga instructor in the San Francisco Bay area. I perform with the Omega West Dance Company and have been artistic director for dance in All Saints Church in Hayward, CA. Through the Julia Morgan Center of the Arts I teach dance in public schools. I mentor students in the holistic exploration of the body through meditation and modern dance. My movement curriculum has its roots in Limon technique, Paul Taylor technique, Bartenieff fundamentals and Hatha Yoga. More at www.claudiadanceyoga.com |
Sylvia Miller-Mutia, Albuquerque, NM
I began dancing with Carla as a seminary student at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA in Fall, 2000. While my training was primarily in classical ballet, and I hold a BFA in Ballet Performance, over the years I have enjoyed exploring modern and hip hop dance. I am an Episcopal priest, passionate about inviting people of all ages to experience God’s presence and be transformed by their full, embodied participation in the liturgy. Contact Sylvia. Sabine Henrie, Berkeley, CA
I came to liturgical dance with a background in ballet, modern, and folk dance. I began dancing with Omega West as a graduate student at the Graduate Theological Union over 20 years ago. I live in Berkeley, California where I am a homemaker and mother of three boys, as well as a childbirth educator and lactation counselor. Active in the Jewish Renewal community, I continue to explore ways to incorporate dance with davenning. David McCauley, San Francisco, CA
I enjoyed almost 15 years with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation, Inc., as student, instructor, and performer. While in New York City, I performed with the Pearl Primus Dance Company, and Omega Liturgical Dance Company. Since 1990, I have been a resident of San Francisco, and am a founding member of Omega West Dance Company. I have directed Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp at Cal Performances on the University of California Berkeley campus since 2001. David Henry, Walnut Creek, CA
Jenny Kimball, Oakland, CA
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Videos
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Omega West Dancers offer a meditation to introduce the Gospel at the Investiture and Recognition of Marc Handley Andrus as the Eighth Bishop of California in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. (July 22, 2006)
Omega West dancers prepare the table for the Eucharist with this "Table Setting Dance" at the Newman Center in Berkeley, CA.
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See Omega West in excerpts from Beyond Words: An Interfaith Ritual for Peace while Carla De Sola describes the inspiration behind the project. Omega West dancers embody the Easter Gospel at Newman Center in Berkeley, CA
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Repertoire
New Liturgical Dances can be created for your community by members of Omega West, including:
Processional Dances: include entrance, gospel, offertory, and recessional.
Proclamation / Prayer Dances: include the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, as well as dances to psalms, and scripture readings.
Celebration Dances: include festive dances, often choreographed for group participation.
Seasonal Dances: include dances choreographed for specific feast days.
Processional Dances: include entrance, gospel, offertory, and recessional.
Proclamation / Prayer Dances: include the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, as well as dances to psalms, and scripture readings.
Celebration Dances: include festive dances, often choreographed for group participation.
Seasonal Dances: include dances choreographed for specific feast days.
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The current repertory of Omega West includes:
MIRIAM
In The Footsteps of a Prophetess
Choreography: Carla DeSola
Music: E. Bloch
PRAISE GOD AND DANCE!(PSALM 150)
Choreography: Nona McCaleb, and Omega West Dance Company
Music: Duke Ellington
A TIME TO MOURN
In memorium to those who have valiantly lived with AIDS
Choreaography: Carla DeSola
Music: Henryk GoreckÍ
AVE MARIA
Choreography: Isadora Duncan
Reconstruction: Joann Koch
Music: Franz Schubert
BEATITUDES
Choreography: Carla DeSola
Music: Gwendolyn Watson
Photgraphs: Mev Puleo
CHRISTMAS ORATORIO
Choreography: Charles Weidman
Reconstruction: Joan Koch, Oeloel Quitzow Braun, and Carol-Geneve
Music: J.S. Bach
LABYRINTH
Choreographic Director: Carla DeSola
Music: T. Schroeder-Shanker, S.Satoh, Medieval
Note: the labyrinth may be experienced as performance or as a workshop meditation.
WISDOM'S WAY: A PASSION DANCE FOR THE EARTH
Choreography: OmegaWest, Carla DeSola, Director
Music: J. Tavener, N. Lens, A. Vollenweider, T. Schroeder-Shanker, Greek Traditional
FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
Choreography: Carla DeSola
Music: W.A. Mozart, voice and sound effects
MIRIAM
In The Footsteps of a Prophetess
Choreography: Carla DeSola
Music: E. Bloch
PRAISE GOD AND DANCE!(PSALM 150)
Choreography: Nona McCaleb, and Omega West Dance Company
Music: Duke Ellington
A TIME TO MOURN
In memorium to those who have valiantly lived with AIDS
Choreaography: Carla DeSola
Music: Henryk GoreckÍ
AVE MARIA
Choreography: Isadora Duncan
Reconstruction: Joann Koch
Music: Franz Schubert
BEATITUDES
Choreography: Carla DeSola
Music: Gwendolyn Watson
Photgraphs: Mev Puleo
CHRISTMAS ORATORIO
Choreography: Charles Weidman
Reconstruction: Joan Koch, Oeloel Quitzow Braun, and Carol-Geneve
Music: J.S. Bach
LABYRINTH
Choreographic Director: Carla DeSola
Music: T. Schroeder-Shanker, S.Satoh, Medieval
Note: the labyrinth may be experienced as performance or as a workshop meditation.
WISDOM'S WAY: A PASSION DANCE FOR THE EARTH
Choreography: OmegaWest, Carla DeSola, Director
Music: J. Tavener, N. Lens, A. Vollenweider, T. Schroeder-Shanker, Greek Traditional
FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
Choreography: Carla DeSola
Music: W.A. Mozart, voice and sound effects
Statements
FROM THE MEDIA...
Liturgical dance...was virtually nonexistent in this country before Miss DeSola's pioneering efforts..."
-Mark Dietch, The New York Times
"with an eye not only on ecumenical, but interfaith dialogue, her art embraces peace and justice. She dances on holy ground, always seeking to awaken people to the needs of planet Earth. Such a caring artistry, combined with a deep concern for liturgy, makes Carla DeSola the most influentual performing artist of the last 20 years
-Modern Liturgy Magazine
FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS...
"Thank you so very much for gifting all of us at the opening celebration with your wonderful dance company, Omega West. The grace, joy and beauty of each dancer...was pure delight to everyone at the gathering...a moveable feast!"Janice Farrell Spiritual Development & Wholeness
"My deep and sincere appreciation for your contributions at my installation service. The ministry of liturgical dance contributed richly to the celebration event. I continue to be struck by the generosity and love that the dance company exhibits.Fumitaka Matsuoka Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean Pacific School of Religion
"A...heartfelt thank you for the wonderful dancing...Good Friday and Holy Saturday. I hope that your experience of dancing was as prayerful for you in performance as it was for us in the congregation."Reverend Michael McGarry, C.S.P. Pastor, Newman Hall Holy Spirit Parish
"...fluid grace of movement and the remarkable eloquence of arms and hands suggests that this was a natural aspect of worship. Praying with our whole selves and glorifying God with our bodies...a wonderful experience [in which] to participate, bringing body and soul before God.Edward J. Bishop, report for Catholic Commitee on Aging.
AS WELL AS...
"Thank you very much for your incredible dance performance at Sunday's Blessing of the Grapes at Sterling Vineyards!"Glen R. Bucher, President Graduate Theological Union
"It is with great joy that we welcome Omega West in residence here at Old Saint Mary's Cathedral. Omega West provides all of us leadership and an opportunity to celebrate prayerfully with mind, body and spirit. All in your company bring alive the psalmist words in Psalm 149, "Let them praise God's name in the festive dance..." The gift of your presence adds to the richness and diversity of ways to pray here in the heart of San Francisco.Reverend John E. Hurley, C.S.P. Pastor, Old Saint Mary's Cathedral
Liturgical dance...was virtually nonexistent in this country before Miss DeSola's pioneering efforts..."
-Mark Dietch, The New York Times
"with an eye not only on ecumenical, but interfaith dialogue, her art embraces peace and justice. She dances on holy ground, always seeking to awaken people to the needs of planet Earth. Such a caring artistry, combined with a deep concern for liturgy, makes Carla DeSola the most influentual performing artist of the last 20 years
-Modern Liturgy Magazine
FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS...
"Thank you so very much for gifting all of us at the opening celebration with your wonderful dance company, Omega West. The grace, joy and beauty of each dancer...was pure delight to everyone at the gathering...a moveable feast!"Janice Farrell Spiritual Development & Wholeness
"My deep and sincere appreciation for your contributions at my installation service. The ministry of liturgical dance contributed richly to the celebration event. I continue to be struck by the generosity and love that the dance company exhibits.Fumitaka Matsuoka Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean Pacific School of Religion
"A...heartfelt thank you for the wonderful dancing...Good Friday and Holy Saturday. I hope that your experience of dancing was as prayerful for you in performance as it was for us in the congregation."Reverend Michael McGarry, C.S.P. Pastor, Newman Hall Holy Spirit Parish
"...fluid grace of movement and the remarkable eloquence of arms and hands suggests that this was a natural aspect of worship. Praying with our whole selves and glorifying God with our bodies...a wonderful experience [in which] to participate, bringing body and soul before God.Edward J. Bishop, report for Catholic Commitee on Aging.
AS WELL AS...
"Thank you very much for your incredible dance performance at Sunday's Blessing of the Grapes at Sterling Vineyards!"Glen R. Bucher, President Graduate Theological Union
"It is with great joy that we welcome Omega West in residence here at Old Saint Mary's Cathedral. Omega West provides all of us leadership and an opportunity to celebrate prayerfully with mind, body and spirit. All in your company bring alive the psalmist words in Psalm 149, "Let them praise God's name in the festive dance..." The gift of your presence adds to the richness and diversity of ways to pray here in the heart of San Francisco.Reverend John E. Hurley, C.S.P. Pastor, Old Saint Mary's Cathedral