Cera by Brad

photo by Brad Dosland

The Gilded Serpent presents...

Cera

Cera Byer has been studying dance, music, and theater since the age of 4. Her dance experience includes Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, Kathak of India, Dunham Technique, Salsa, Samba, Tribal Bellydance, classical and contemporary Persian dance, Flamenco, Hip Hop and Capoeira. In addition to being the founder and Artistic Director of Damage Control Dance Theater, Cera has performed professionally with Shahrzad Dance Company (Classical and Contemporary Persian dance), PULSE Modern Dance Ensemble (Modern), Ultra Gypsy Dance Theater Company (Innovative Tribal Fusion Bellydance), Rara Tou Limen (San Francisco's only Carnaval contingent representing Haiti), as well as presenting her solo choreography in festivals, concert stages, lecture demonstrations, and private events across the Bay Area and beyond. Cera holds a Bachlors of Arts in Dance (Performance and Choreography), with an emphasis in World Music and Dance from San Francisco State University. Cera holds certifications in Group Fitness Instruction (YMCA) and Pilates Mat (Sanchez St. Studios). Cera's choreography seeks to blend the beauty and subtlety of bellydance and other folkoric dance forms with stagecraft, composition, theatrical and choreographic techniques from around the world. In addition to directing DCDT, Cera is currently writing a book on choreography andmovement invention for Bellydance, and owns and operates Shoebox Studio in San Francisco.

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Cera

  • Making (and Re-making) Choreography: Moving Forward, Moving Backward, Moving!
    As soon as you set the first movement, one of those options has been limited. Then, when you make a second choice, a third, and a forth, the possibilities get smaller and smaller. The process is, essentially, painting yourself into a corner, and by the time you set the last count, the song is done; the choices are over, and they have become inevitable, solid. They stand on their own—without you, potential-less. Pens down! Flip the paper over. Choices have been made.