Based on the roots of an ancient form of music and dance therapy known as tarantella, a precursor of modern day music therapy and how to apply it today.   My practice enables participants to experience the healing power of an ancient form of music and dance therapy, known today as tarantella. It has been used in Italy and the Mediterranean for centuries to cure people, mainly women, who suffered a form of mental depression known as tarantismo, attributed to the mythical bite of the tarantula.

 According to what I have observed in my practice and personal experience in teaching healing workshops around the world, “tarantismo” may be defined as depression, suicide mania, hysteria, aggression, and sexual dysfunction resulting from sexual abuse.  In modern day music therapy the tarantella rhythm targets especially women who have been abused and suffer from emotional and physical disorders, including cysts, displasia, irregular bleeding, early menopause. 

The historic Dance of the Tarantula, is a healing trance dance ritual from Southern Italy (in ancient times Magna Greacia, part of Greece) for women from the Greek rites of the "Baccantes, in honor of Dionyusus, God of Ecstasy and wine (Baccus)." Women involved in these rites, later called Tarantate, danced the "Pizzica Tarantata" ("the bite of the spider tarantula," also called "the bite of love").

 A bite of love drives them to dance in a wild frenzy in order to free themselves of repressed sexual desires.  The dominant music was percussion, with large tambourines playing non-stop to a 12/8 beat, with loud accents. By spinning and stomping their feet, participants symbolically expelled the "poison" of the mythical bite of the tarantula from their bodies. 

A double row of jingles on the instruments accentuated the madness as dancers, traditionally clad in white with red scarves and ribbons, moved on their backs like spiders.  All participants customarily experienced a trance-like state induced by the combination of music and dancing. 

Objectives

• Be introduced to the rich rhythm and dance tradition of Southern Italy known as the tarantella.

• Learn the history of this powerful tambourine style, originally done mainly by women, which dates back to the rites of the Mother Earth Goddess Cybele, now worshipped as the Black Madonna

• Experience the healing and stress-relieving effect of these rhythms and dances.

• Re-connect with the ancient lineage of a  lost drumming tradition.

• Join in the power of being part of healing ritual in community

• Release blockages of emotional and sensual energies through the Pizzica dance of liberation, expelling feelings of depression and repression.  

Testimonials

"Studying with Alessandra for the last 2 years has already helped me come out of my shell ...I really like the version of myself that comes forth around Alessandra. She sees things that are under the surface, that maybe you know are there but you're not sure how to be comfortable with yet. There is a sense of trust that encourages you to let go" Every day, each session, had a completely different, and powerful, healing experience. Things got more intense as the week went on. Afterwards, a tremendous feeling of lightness. Lung capacity felt three times larger. There were no visions, no emotional outpouring, no resurfaced memories. Instead it was a chemical change, elemental. A transmutation." -Danielle

"I discovered through Alessandra a completely new element, rich with music and dance. I was impressed by Alessandra's deep passion for our ancient traditions of music and dance. " This group's energy was amazing.  We all worked hard to create a space that was safe for ourselves as well as the people around us.   Your deep knowledge an devotion to your work allowed you to communicate authentically and clearly.  Traditions that we experienced and practiced could have been confusing and abstract, but your level of skill made the trance dances meaningful to our real-life circumstances."  -Jillian

"From working with Alessandra in her company, I know that she is a dedicated teacher and really wants the students to learn and express themselves.  From being around her, it is clear that she is a healer and it was an incredible thing to witnessfirst hand.  Her presence allows the students to trust, relax, and let go. Alessandra is one of those human beings that you want to be around as much as possible.  She just feeds you with good energy..!She makes everyone very comfortable.  She’s professional but also you feel like she’s your best friend.  It's very easy to trust her because she’s very genuine and sincere. Her instructions are clear to understand and she gives everyone individual attention.  As a healer, combining her spiritual good energy with her unsurpassed talents, you can’t ask for more."   -Lindsay