Fatena "Fae" Salfiti, 28.
I started dancing when I started walking, to be exact. Never the ballerina type, but Hip Hop has been in my blood since birth-- I was self-taught. I took my first actual dance class at the Daly City Dance Academy around age nine. I took Jazz dance, and that's when I realized that this was something that I wanted to continue. I learned about counts, beats, and coordination and I was able to catch onto choreography real fast. I took the class for only a year, it wasn't something my family was into. I then took classes in front of my TV watching Paula and Janet and following every move/visually learning. When I got into junior high, my sister and my cousin were both cheerleaders and they got me to audition for my junior high squad. I auditioned, and made it, then stuck with it all through high school. I was the captain of the squad my sophomore year and co-captain my senior year. I used to choreograph our Hip Hop dances. We won competitions and that's what taught me how to perform something to the fullest. In high school is when I started acting as well. I did my first main stage production playing Ms. Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest. I also joined the drama club, the improv troupe. When I started going to City College of San Francisco, I got highly involved in dance again and put acting on hold. I took Jazz dance with Luana, who taught me history, culture, beauty, and art. I also took Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet, Dance Composition, Dance Production, Dance History and Yoga which led me to receive my Dance Certificate in 2001. That year I graduated with an AA in Psychology as well. I also took a lot of classes at local studios such as SF Dance Mission, Rhythm and Motion, and performed in the second annual SF Hip Hop Dance Fest with Micaya and Company. Micaya taught me about reality, communication, heart, and love. Once i made the move to vacaville, I decided to bring everything I did in the city from teaching to performing.  Vacaville,  a very Hip Hop-deprived city at the time (and actually still is) is a place I can now call home. I work or have worked with the city of Vacaville, city of Fairfield, Patty's Dance Studio, Dance Direction, Missouri St. Arts Academy, Solano Community College dance productions, Solano College P.E. Department, Solano's Actor Training Program, Oakbrook Elementary, Laurel Creek Elementary, and private lessons. I also taught for the Vacaville Vipers cheerleaders, Solano College Drill Team, choreographed 5 Quinces, Vacaville Ballet, Vacaville Gymnastics, Kindercare, Cooper Elementary, other workshops, events, and birthday parties. I also started my own dance family, BLISS Hip Hop Dance Company in February '04. Within the 6 years that I've lived here, I got back into acting, thanks to George MaGuire. I've graduated from the two year Actor Training Program at Solano College in May '05 (Carla Spindt is my hero).  ATP is where I met Lisa Clark, she is no joke!  She taught me discipline, respect, and how to work for what I want.  She honestly has made me a better dancer and dance instructor.  In January '06 I collaborated with local R&B/Latin vocalist Matai with a few of my dancer friends and we perform all over the Bay Area as well as many travelling shows.  I choreograph most routines for his shows (with help of the dancers) and we have shows booked consistently.  Bliss Dance Company and Matai Entertainment Group work in conjunction now as one entity of entertainment!  I also promote, network, and collaborate with many artists in the Bay Area.  I'm in a sketch comedy group called the Alley Cats, and I'm a board member for Horizon Arts Group.  I'm a poet and I'm releasing my first poetry album this year.  I just recieved my BA in. Theatre Arts from CSU Sacramento and teaching 6 days a week.  One of my biggest goals was to have a home for Bliss where I can run my own studio, and with the help of the wonderful Ramirez family, I was able to be apart of establishing a home for their martial arts and my dance family.  This has been a huge blessing and my family finally has a home called Studio of the Arts in Vacaville!!  I love educating, especially children. Not too many people can say they love what they do, but I truly do, and I know I'm blessed. Thank you for taking the time to check out my website to see what I do.  If you have any questions, please contact me!! God Bless!!