Portsha Jefferson is a professional performer and dancer who has studied various styles of dance. She began her dance training at the age of six at the Marsha Woody Dance Academy in Beaumont, Texas. Portsha has taught creative movement and Afro-Haitian dance in schools, community centers and studios for nine years. A passionate believer in education and youth development, she has worked for several organizations, including The Young Performers Theater, The San Francisco Arts Education Project, Westlake School of the Arts, Opera Piccola, Danceversity and Swivel Arts. Jefferson was a principal dancer and singer with Group Petit La Croix for seven years under the leadership of veteran dancer and educator Blanche Brown. She has also performed Haitian dance with Bamboche, Reconnect Dance Ensemble and Ase Dance Theatre Collective, as well as Afro-Cuban dance with Jose Francisco Barroso and Obakoso, and with Emese Dance and Drum Society.

Portsha's dedication and exploration of Haitian culture have brought her to Haiti, where she has traveled throughout the country to research regional dance, rhythms and musical traditions. Her concentration of study took place in Gonaives at Lakou Badjo, where Nago (Yoruba) traditions are preserved, and through religious ceremony at Tanp Souvenance Mistik, a Vodou community that celebrates it's Rada (ancient kingdom of Dahomey) heritage. She studied at Ecole Nationale Des Arts (ENARTS) and at Vivian Gauthier's School of Dance with Cadet Jean Evens and Ansy Daphnis, as well as independent study with Peniel Guerrier of Ballet Folklorique Tamboula D' Haiti, and Daniel Brevil of Ayikodans Dance Company. Portsha is the founder and artistic director of Rara Tou Limen, a Haitian folkloric dance ensemble composed of dancers, musicians, singers and practitioners who have studied with some of the pioneers of the art in both the United States and Haiti.

You can contact Portsha at windchile411@aol.com.