About Us
La Danza is a unique event, made possible by a unifying thread of vision, passion, and connection to the traditional music community in Puglia.
It was dreamed up by Rosa and Kate, whose artistic direction and organizing work create the space for the event to unfold.
Each year, we collaborate with a team of local artist and teachers, whose unique stories, experiences, and expertise complement each other to create a holistic program. They are the heart of this residency.
Everything is brought to fruition through support from the City of Galatina and the collaboration of non-profit organizations who are dedicated to Southern Italian culture.
Rosa Voto
Artistic Director & Teacher
Rosa Voto, the visionary founder and artistic director behind the Melbourne School of Tarantella, Australia's first dance school dedicated to Southern Italian dances and music since 2011. Born in Puglia to a Salentino mother and Calabrese father, Rosa's roots deeply influenced her upbringing despite growing up in Florence. Her early dance steps and tamburello rhythms were nurtured within the safety of her family home, fostering a profound connection to her ancestors and native land.
Rosa's teaching philosophy transcends mere instruction, integrating elements of dance and movement therapy to provide a transformative experience for students of all ages. She believes in making dance accessible, personal, and enriching for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and abilities.
Kate Causbie
Organizer & Connector
Kate is from Seattle, Washington, and is an enthusiast of the "popolare" music and dances of Southern Italy. Since 2018 she has been seeking out these traditions from Puglia, the homeland of her grandmother's family. In 2021 she set out to travel through Puglia and learn as much as she could about these traditions, and has since then dreamed of crafting profound opportunities for people abroad who are deeply curious about this music.
She is passionate about fostering bridges to these traditions, and is a strong believer in the power of music and dance to encapsulate memories, experiences, and identities lost to cultural assimilation.
Photo by Elisheva Thompson at La Danza 2024
Yamunindi
Community Partner
Based in Melbourne, Yamunindi is the official partner of the Melbourne School of Tarantella. The name "Yamunindi" means "Let's go" in a Southern Italian/Calabrese dialect, reflecting its roots as an organisation formed by the Southern Italian diaspora in Melbourne.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Yamunindi is dedicated to engaging with the community through projects and events that celebrate diversity, cross-cultural collaboration, and a deep connection to land, history, and shared cultural heritage.
Associazione Città Nostra
Local Host Partner
The Città Nostra non-profit association, operating since 2009, has always supported and encouraged the development of local tourism by promoting a range of different activities including walkign tour experiences and Pizzica dance workshops. Salento and Galatina in particular are our main focus, under many different aspects.
