Born in Salvador Bahia, Brazil,
Silvana Magda arrived in the United States in 1984 already an accomplished
professional dancer and choreographer with visions of showcasing her talents
in America. Magda's adolescent years were spent mainly in Candomble Religious
homes and attending "Teatro Castro Alves" school for ballet.
With this knowledge of culture and ballet, she launched her dance career in
1975, performing with the "Loni Duro Bahia Dance Company". She toured with
"Viva Bahia Dance Company" and "Orquestra Afro Brasileira" as a featured soloist
throughout Europe, Canada, South America, Central America, Caribbean and the
Orient.
Since her arrival in the United States, she has taught at Hunter College,
Rutgers University, Leake and Watts Foster Care and Arts Connection. In 1988
she created the "Viva Brazil Dance Company". She conducted a two-week residency
of Afro Brazilian Dance at "The Omega Institute" in 1996. Elected as the President
of the dance committee, Silvana coordinated and organized a cultural forum
for artists in New York. This project was sanctioned by the Brazilian Consulate.
She has also made numerous Television appearances and was featured on the
New York Times Magazine section cover (Sunday April 19th 1992) and also the
cover of a bestseller book "Feeling the Spirit".
Today Silvana the singer/ dancer/ choreographer/ composer is still achieving
most of her dreams. In 1995 she formed the "Katend Band".
Her knowledgeable background of Brazilian music assisted her in making an
easy transition into the local live performance scene. In addition, her expertise
on Afro Brazilian culture gave her great inspiration to compose all songs
on her recorded projects (2-CDS). She tours nationally and internationally
with her nine piece band Katende and Viva Brazil Dancers from which she
receive great reviews. For the last six years she has won the ASCAP Composition
Achievement Award, The United Nation Commemorative Award and other Awards
for her work as a performer and songwriter. She graces the SOBS world famous
nightclub monthly with fans eagerly awaiting her performance that is part
music, part spectacle and all Brazilian cultural outreach.