Gaiananda (Guy a non da) comes from two words, Gai means earth and Ananda means bliss. Translating to earth’s bliss.

Gaiananda was formed in August of 2001. The idea to form an ethnic music and dance ensemble was the vision of Jessica Kinzbach and Suzanne Gerard. Both felt a deep desire to bring together music and dance styles of many cultures to share the richness of ethnic diversity with Gaiananda’s performers and audience alike.
The troupe members are also diverse, having different levels of performance experience, coming from a multitude of cultural, religious and spiritual practices.
The primary form of our music and dance has its roots in Middle Eastern, Gypsy and African rhythms. We continue to expand into other cultures and integrate them to create our own style and expression.

Mission Statement

Gaiananda is dedicated to expanding the understanding of global cultures and to the acceptance and celebration of all ethnic customs, unique in there rhythms, movements, dress, ceremonies and rites of passage. Although we honor diversity, we combine styles of music and dance and strive to express through our art that we are all descendants of one ancestor and move to her “one heart beat”........Mother Earth