Vanessa Isaac Dance Company

Community Engagement

In Brazil, cultural exchange hubs are often referred to as pontes da cultura — bridges of culture. Composer and musician Ami Molinelli has described Vanessa Isaac’s role within her community through this lens, noting her long-standing presence as a connector across artistic and cultural contexts in California and internationally.

For over two decades, the work of Vanessa Agle Isaac has included community-based dance initiatives developed alongside its performance practice. These projects emphasize artistic expression, embodied practice, and intercultural exchange, creating spaces where diverse communities engage through movement.

Rooted in Brazilian cultural traditions while situated within contemporary contexts, the company’s community work supports participation across generations and backgrounds. Through classes, workshops, and collaborative projects, these initiatives foster continuity between inherited forms and present-day artistic exploration.

Community engagement remains an integral, parallel strand of the company’s activity, complementing its choreographic and performance-based work.

“I believe Vanessa Isaac’s work is of great relevance regionally and internationally for the Latinx community and beyond. For more than twenty years she has created art that matters while fostering community.” Marcus Santos, Brazilian Musician, Community Leader and Grooverstity Founder

Long-Term Community Practice

Since 1996, Vanessa Isaac has developed community dance spaces open to participants of all backgrounds and experience levels. These initiatives emphasize embodied practice, collective participation, and cultural exchange through movement and music.

In 2000, this work expanded into the Hip Brazil Collective, a long-running community project that brings together more than 100 participants across generations. While rooted in Santa Barbara, the project has also included participants from Seattle, Boston, New York, Brazil, and San Francisco, fostering sustained intercultural exchange.

Hip Brazil Collective

Founded in 2000, Hip Brazil Collective is a community dance that engages women, men, and children across generations through Afro-Brazilian and contemporary movement practices.

Over time, Hip Brazil Collective has partnered with local organizations and artists, including:

• Cleveland School of Santa Barbara

• African dance groups

• Middle Eastern dance group with Cris Basimah

• Capoeira Sul da Bahia

These collaborations support access to dance spaces and strengthen cultural dialogue across communities.

Ongoing Engagement

Community engagement remains an integral strand of the company’s activity, running parallel to its choreographic and performance-based work. Through classes, workshops, and collaborative projects offered throughout the year, the company sustains long-term relationships with local and visiting communities.