Brecken Rivara is a contemporary hoop dance teacher, artist and pioneer based in the US whose work is said to have kicked off the second wave of modern hoop dance. Known for her ragdoll fluidity, seamless transitions, warp-speed spinning, and more recent developments in "transitional space," “floor hooping” and "hoop notation," Brecken has been a teacher and influence to thousands of hoopers world-wide and is considered to be one
of the most prominent contributors to the form.
“I think the hoop is about the best movement teacher you could possibly imagine. I picked it up for exercise and it pulled
me into its vortex- like a wind with a built-in vehicle. It works like training wheels, almost: informing an inner spiral and curve;
developing that signature quality of both power and softness that hoopers acquire.
And it's mentally life changing: the partnership with a hoop is a portal for both escape and awareness that provides the space in which our most expressive self will learn to come out. The hoop is a movement vehicle safety net that helps us find our superhero and an informant of how our bodies were built to move.”
Brecken has taught in several locations across North and Central America, Europe, Australia and Asia; that include over 70 places in the US alone. She has received wide recognition for her evolving career and has been awarded
by Hooping.org, via international poll, more than any
other hooper ever and is no longer allowed to
receive them.
Works/Contributions
Drunken Master Style
Transitional Wave Theory
Ergonomic Barrel Rolls
Floor Hooping
Hoop Notation
Recognition
2009 - First American female invited to the National French Juggling Convention
2010 - Hooper of the Year, international poll by Hooping.org
2011 - Solo Video of the Year, international poll by Hooping.org
2010 - “Etereas,” digital animation demonstration produced w La Flaminguettes, Mexico City.
* Best of Reddit; Vimeo Staff Pick; Best of #ArtSetFree of ArtsBrookfield, NY, PEARL and Pool-festival, Berlin.
2012 - Performance of the Year, international poll by Hooping.org
2014 - Video of the Year, international poll by Hooping.org
2015 - Hooper Hall of Fame, international poll by Hooping.org (officially retired from being allowed to win any more awards!)
Media Appearances
2008 – “Hoop Moves” – Instructional DVD, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2009 – “Hoop Technique” – Instructional DVD, Oakland, California
2010 – “Waves” tutorial series- sponsored by Sandra "SaFire" Sommerville and Hoop City
2011 - Mixed media live performance collaboration with ARTheism at Peñasco Theatre in Peñasco, New Mexico
2012 – Sensory collaboration with ARTheism performed at Texas State University with Dixon's Violin, Richard Hall and Michael Garfield
Residencies
2011 - Two-month hoop immersion series taught at La Fabrica Circus Center in Mexico City
2012 - Week-long "Lock-In" intensive at Dogtown Dance Theater in Richmond, VA
2015>2019 TADAH Week-long Retreat, Turkey – teacher and organizer
2017>2019 Hoop Hideaway, Week-long Retreat – teacher and organizer