“Roots and Branches” is a soulful immersion into the ancestral rhythms and sacred movements of Southern Italy. This unique workshop, guided by internationally recognized healer and artist Danielle Marie Fusco and accompanied by Salvatore Guglielmo on live percussion, weaves together ritual, community, and embodied wisdom. 

Together, we will explore ancient Southern Italian dances—most notably the Tarantella—and their deep roots in shamanistic, ceremonial, and communal traditions. These dances, once used as healing rites, celebrations, and trance practices, have endured through centuries and remain a powerful way to move energy, express joy, and awaken the spirit. 

Workshop Highlights: 

Tarantella & Folk Dances of Southern Italy 

• Introduction to various regional styles (Pizzica, Tammurriata, etc.)
• The cultural and mystical origins behind the movements
• Their links to ancient rituals, trance states, and energetic release 

Live Musical Accompaniment 

• Traditional drumming by Salvatore Guglielmo
• Use of castanets (nacchare), tambourines, frame drums 
• Call-and-response and rhythm as healing tools 

Ritual & Celebration 

• Shedding light on Southern Mediterranean shamanic practices 
• Creating sacred space through sound, movement, and community 
• Encouragement of self-expression, intuition, and soul connection through dance   

Why “Roots and Branches”? 

The name speaks to the essence of the gathering: 

• Roots connect us to our ancestors, our stories, and the earth itself. 
• Branches stretch us upward and outward—toward each other, toward the divine,      and toward new expressions of who we are becoming.       

This offering is both a returning and a becoming—a celebration of lineage and evolution through embodied movement and rhythm. 

Audience: 

This event is open to all backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems. Whether you're Italian or not, a dancer or a beginner, this is for anyone longing to reconnect to ancient wisdom and participate in a joyful, transformative communal experience. 

Participants are encouraged to bring: 

• A flowing skirt or scarf for movement 
• A frame drum or tambourine (extras will be available) 
• An open heart and a willingness to explore 

Why Host This at “The Holistic Center for Soulful Living?” 

HCSL is a space for transformation, connection, and embodied spirituality. “Roots and Branches” aligns perfectly with your mission by: 

• Offering cross-cultural wisdom through movement and music
• Supporting soul-centered community gathering 
• Inviting participants to experience a healing journey through joy, ritual, and rhythm 

Danielle’s teachings come from a place of deep integrity and authenticity, grounded in her Italian-American lineage, her years as a professional dancer and healer, and her gift of guiding others through spiritual and embodied practices.

Let’s celebrate life, ancestry, and collective energy—through the body, the drum, and the dance.