miragecaravan

Troupe Zephyr is a group based out of Minster, OH. They focus on gypsy and tribal fusion, and the use of props such as cane, sword, isis wings, and zills. The troupe coordinator, Lori has studied with Tiani Al Shaheen, Laylia, Kira, Dharma, Carolena Nericcio, Miss Heidi and others.

Sarabi has been in love with dance since the age of five. She started off in ballet, but then decided to study and perform spiritual/liturgical for eleven years, enjoying hip-hop and street dance on the side. She began studying bellydance when she attended Purdue University with Mirage bellydance, instructed by Amirah. Soon after studying with Amirah, she began to study further into hip-hop with Traci Bishop and taking workshops with other great bellydancers across the country– the Aftermath being a fusion of hip-hop and bellydance with a rockstar flare. Currently, Sarabi is teaching in Indianapolis with her dance partner Mojani, and they are taking the city by storm!

Jussenya began learning Middle Eastern dance in 2000, after years of extensive study in ballet, jazz, and other movement.  She has been studying with Ruby Jazayre since 2004, performing with the Sisters of the Nile since 2005, and was named Assistant Director of the troupe last year.  She is a co-founder of the belly dance fusion trio KemWati, which has been together since 2006.

Rakhshanda Tribal Belly Dance is a modern tribal fusion troupe based in Southeastern Wisconsin.  The 2 member troupe is mainly influenced by Gypsy Caravan Dance Company but finds much inspiration in Classical Indian styles, Gitano and any and all things Pirate.  Amanda, especially, has the incredible distinction of being the only person in the US outside of Gypsy Caravan members to hold a GCDC Teaching Intermediate Level II Certification.  Leize is one of the few belly dancers in the area who is a fire-eater as well.  Between the 2 of them, they are a lovable, crazy force of nature!

Jezebel is a middle eastern dance instructor and performer in Akron, Ohio. She is choreographer to four troupes in the Cleveland/Akron area and teaches in the many styles including Tribal, Gypsy, Gothic, and Belly-esque.  Her classes focus not only on learning individual movements, but on putting separate movements together into a choreography that echoes a specific piece of music. She feels that musicality is a vital part of a dancer’s repertoire and enjoys combining movements from several different dance styles to make her choreography fun and challenging.

Kat Hill, also known as Caitlin, is a belly dancer and Reiki Master Teacher. She has been a practicing Reiki Master Teacher since 2000. She is a certified Reiki Master Teacher in the Western Usui Method and has lineage documentation back to Dr. Mikao Usui. She teaches traditional methods, but since she and most of her students are scientists and medical professionals, she has done extensive research into the biology and physics of the Reiki energy. Caitlin has been belly dancing since 2001 and enjoys Egyptian, Turkish, and blending other forms of dance and movement with traditional belly dancing. She is a graduating senior in Anthropology at Purdue University and is looking to specialize in nutritional health and sexual wellness after graduation.

Avasa is an Intensive Ecstatic (5 Rhythms) Instructor, a PURE Foundation facilitator of the Cincinnati Branch, a Yoga instructor, a Professional American Tribal Style and Fusion Tribal Belly Dance performer/instructor throughout the East Cost since 2003. To add to her repertoire, Avasa is also a Zumba instructor.  In 2005, Avasa was the featured artists for Hip Drop Radio in and performed as their headliner for the Hip Drop Live Tour in 2006.  She is also the artistic and creative director of Mystique and Muladhara (student troupe) and the creator of R&B Tribal Belly Dance.   Over the years Avasa has been using American Tribal Style creator, Carolena Nericcio’s (Fat Chance Belly Dance) curriculum of ATS teaching style and performance which she feels is where all tribal students and performers should start out as a base. Over the past few years she has taught workshops on her funky fusion and R&B style, Bhangra and Bollywood, stage presentation, yoga and conditioning, tribal drum solo and liquid.

Nilaja is a Northern IL instructor, studio owner, vendor/owner of Calico Garden, event producer of Hiptastic! Bellydance Festival and Northern Lights bellydance festival. She has been studying and teaching this art form for over 15 years and is honored to be a part of the EDNF benefit weekend!

Donna (Diva) Kajtsa is a professional Middle Eastern (Belly Dance) and Polynesian Dance performer, instructor, and event sponsor.  She has performed for over 30 years in the Chicago and Northern Illinois areas.  Her training in belly dance and hula started with classes at a local park district, and extended to taking workshops and classes through the years with many of the leading master instructors in both dance forms.  She continues taking workshops to continue to expand her dance vocabulary and bring new techniques and skills to her own dancing, as well as to her students in both belly dance and hula.  While Donna no longer performs belly dance in public venues such as night clubs or private parties, she has continued her professional dancing in hula and Polynesian dance through the years, and currently performs regularly with her hula sisters as The Hawaiian Style Entertainers.

Bastet is known throughout the United States for her dynamic, double fan dances – a whole-body, whirling fan technique she began developing over 9 years ago – that emphasizes 3-dimensional layering of bellydance movements and fan technique, and making her a much sought-after instructor.  Bastet’s style is eclectic, drawing from Cabaret, Classical Egyptian, Khaleegy, Saiidi, American and Improvisational Tribal Style (ATS and ITS), as well as modern Chinese dance and breakdance.  Bastet is also the designer and costumer for Vintage Jigsaw.  Like Bastet’s dancing, Vintage Jigsaw costumes are also eclectic, drawing from historical costuming and modern belly dance fashion.  Each costume is inspired by and created almost entirely from high-quality vintage materials.  Bastet believes that everyone and everyBODY deserves a beautiful costume that accentuates each person’s natural beauty and uniqueness.  www.bastetfusion.com

Amirah began her dance journey at the age of 3, and has passionately explored the art form ever since.In 2002, Amirah began studying belly dance under Shuvani of Oasis Belly Dancers. From there, she and fellow students went on to co-found Mirage Bellydancers, a Purdue University Official Student Organization, in 2004. Amirah has served as secretary and president, and is currently the head instructor.

While she mostly performs tribal fusion styles, Amirah enjoys studying and performing all styles of belly dance. Her personal style is a fusion of modern dance, hip hop, and pop and locking, with tribal and cabaret stylizations. As an instructor, Amirah focuses on technique and muscle control as a foundation to all forms of the dance. She concentrates on teaching her students concepts which they can apply many different ways to help inspire them to hone in on their own style. Amirah is also quite passionate about playing music, and has been a member of Indy’s 16th century rock band, Il Troubadore since 2007, with whom she dances and plays Middle Eastern clarinet, dumbek, and riq.

We are Hipnotic. We strive to bring tribal belly dance to the public as an art form. Each member is dedicated to furthering their education in the art of belly dance, as well as various other art forms and dance styles to bring their own flair to Hipnotic. We endeavor to entertain and educate our audiences through our performances and interactions.

We have been performing in the Chicago area since 2002. With a firm foundation in American Tribal Style, we have integrated African, Indian, Hip Hop, Gothic and Flamenco styles to make our performances interesting, colorful and mesmerizing. We are dedicated to bringing a fresh look to tribal style belly dance and truly believe in the power of the troupe, as well as the energy created within when dancing. And, we like to share this energy with our audience through the dance.

Asharah has been performing since the age of six as a dancer, figure skater, and singer. As a bellydancer, she is known not only for her dramatic fusion of tribal and cabaret styles, but also has extensive experience in Turkish, Egyptian and American bellydance. She is currently Level 2 certified in the Suhaila Salimpour format, and in September 2010 she earned her Level 1 certification in the Jamila Salimpour format. Her technique, musicality, emotional expression, and finger cymbal playing skills have been noted and admired around the world. She is deeply grateful to Alexia (Kim Leary), Artemis Mourat, Suhaila Salimpour, Natalie Brown, and others who have guided her along the way.

In addition to traveling around the world to teach sold-out workshops, she teaches regular weekly classes based on the Suhaila Salimpour belly dance format at the Center for Dance Education in Lexington, South Carolina and is a member of Delirium Tribal Bellydance Company and Columbia Alternacirque under the direction of Natalie Brown. She released her first instructional DVD Modern Tribal Bellydance, produced by WorldDanceNewYork, in January 2008, which has received excellent reviews from all styles and levels of dancers.  She is also featured on the groundbreaking DVD Gothic Bellydance: The Darker Side of Fusion, produced by World Dance New York. From 2003-2005 she performed with the avant-garde troupe Martiya Possession and before that was a two year member of Raks Odalisque, Princeton University’s Middle Eastern dance troupe.

Asharah is not only an accomplished dancer but also has a B.A. in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. Ever since her childhood, Asharah has been deeply interested in Middle Eastern arts and culture. She believes that every belly dancer must know the history and culture of this dance, whether she is performing it in its traditional forms or fusing it with others.

Ja’Niesa has been dancing and performing for over 25 years. Currently her dance journey, through the art of Middle Eastern Dance and American Belly Dance, has been ongoing for six years. Ja’Niesa strives to entertain audiences and educate her students thoroughly. Nothing gives her more joy than sharing the exciting mystique and discipline of Middle Eastern Dance. Currently Ja’Niesa teaches in Muncie, Indiana as the Co-Director of Ancient Arts Dance Studio and the instructor for Ball State Belly Dance Club.

Minneapolis-based dancer Ms. Zuza started her dance journey in 2000, and quickly delved into fusion styles and tribal group improvisation. She performs solo and collaborative dance pieces and teaches a variety of workshops throughout the region and country, and sponsors periodic guest dancers and events through msZuza Productions (www.mszuza.info). Ms. Zuza is also publisher of Fuse: A Tribal and Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Magazine (www.fusetribalmag.com), which launched in Fall 2010.

Naia Al’Abbasi is a bellydance instructor and performer as well as the Assistant Director of Troupe Sarrab in Springfield, MO.  Naia began her dance journey at the age of four, studying jazz, tap, and ballet for ten years.  After a five year dance hiatus, Naia stumbled upon Sarrab School of Dance, under the direction of Yasmine Al’Abbasi, and instantly fell in love with the charm and elegance of Egyptian style bellydance.  She is most noted for her graceful style and watery, or snake-like, movements.  In fact, “Naia” means “to flow like water”.  Naia broadened her repertoire to many other traditional styles of bellydance after moving to Lafayette, IN and studying at Bare Bones Belly Dance (Troupe Oasis), under the direction of Mary Kat Lebo, for two years. Upon returning to Springfield, MO, Naia re-connected with Troupe Sarrab and quickly established herself as an accomplished instructor, choreographer, and troupe leader. While Naia enjoys studying and performing a variety of traditional Middle Eastern dance styles, she feels continuously drawn to her first love of Egyptian Orientale and Folklore dances.

LEILA GAMAL is an internationally acclaim Middle Eastern Dance artist whose career spans over three decades. She has thrilled audiences with performances enriched with womanly strength, sensuality, and acute musical sensitivity.
As master teacher, Leila inspires students on every level to reach their greatest potential with an emphasis on movement concepts rather than specific stylization. She serves as a conduit to the ancient essence of the dance providing a solid foundation so that each dancer, beginner or seasoned professional, takes from her instruction a greater understanding of the history, physiology, and musicality of Middle Eastern Dance.

I am a Tribal Fusion Bellydancer in the Milwaukee area. I have 11 years of experience in tap, jazz and ballet.

In March of 2003, I began taking lessons in Tribal Style Bellydance and became a member of Barika Bellydance in late 2003.

In 2007, I became a soloist and started studying American Style Bellydance, Turkish Bellydance, and Romany Folk dancing. Studying these various dance forms has helped me to create a unique style.

In 2008, I received my Group Fitness Instructor Certification. I also received my Collective Soul One Certification in Tribal Style Bellydance from Paulette Rees-Denis.

One of the best kept secrets of Tribal Bellydance, Chicago’s Blue Lotus Tribe is celebrating ten successful years together. These dynamic and versatile dancers have mastered the art of both fusion choreography and tribal improvisation, having created their format with inspirations from all over the dance world. Each director of Blue Lotus Tribe is also accomplished in the art of Egyptian style bellydance. Blending Egyptian technique, composition, and musicality with the tribal movements, music, and aesthetic, Blue Lotus Tribe has successfully created their own twist on tribal. “Egypto-Tribal Fusion Bellydance” honors the ancient art of Middle-Eastern dance while still moving forward with today’s modern tribal and fusion movement.  Apart from their popular local performances and workshops, Blue Lotus Tribe has had the honor of teaching and performing around the country to enthusiastic students and appreciative audiences. http://www.bluelotustribe.com/