My Bellydance training began in 1998, studying the Egyptian style with Rabia.  I then went on to train under Yasmin, studying Traditional and Folkloric styles of bellydance including Turkish, Lebanese and Moroccan.  I was a member of Yasmin's troupe, the Desert Wind Dancers from 2004 until late 2009, in which I gained invaluable experience in bellydance performance. 

        Currently, I am enrolled in Rachel Brice's 8 Elements, and am excited to visit her in her new studio (Datura).  I attended two years of the Tribal Massive (belly dance fusion intensive training) and  have also participated in workshops with Ariellah and Deshret Dance Company, Amy Sigil, Mira Betz, Heather Stants, Jodi Waseca,  Deb Rubin, Zoe Jakes, and Mardi Love.  Whenever time and money allow, I will take part in any workshop or intensive that these ladies offer.  I also look forward to more classes at FatChanceBellyDance Studio.  I love  practicing with my belly dance dvd collection, cutting loose with a good record album or cd, and participating in our monthly Natural High event.

        Over the past few years I became interested in fusing bellydance with other non-traditional styles and dancing to various musical genres.  Being a free-spirited hippie at heart, I dreamt of performing in a troupe without boundaries.

                  In joining with my Adamantine sisters, my dream is coming true!

        I trained in ballet/pointe, jazz, & hip hop with Backstage Acadeny of Dance for 5 years.  I thought that I was done with dance in high school, then Jean Jay saved me with her MJC Community Ed class in Fall '07.  For a year I performed with Mystic Fire Dance Company, including Rakassah '08 and Modesto Gay Pride '08.  Jodie and I were performing as a duo until we met Marie.  In April '09, Adamantine was born!

        I have been teaching since Spring '09 through MJC's Community Ed Department.  My Bellydance Fusion Class is a melting pot of technique, choreography, and drills from many cultures and genres.  I don't stick to one region or style, but I would consider myself a tribal-fusion dancer.  My Tribal-Improv Class is based on the idea of American Tribal Style Belly Dance.  It is influenced by Fat Chance Belly Dance, Black Sheep Belly Dance, and Gypsy Caravan. In it, I've added Adamantine's  own unique flair and combos.  My class is meant to teach you how to you can dance with anyone you meet as a troupe together.

        I have attended workshops, including those taught by Amy Sigil, Tempest, and workshops with Ariellah and Deshret Dance Company.  Currrently, I am training at FatChanceBellyDance Studio (home of ATS).  I look forward to performing at big venues such as Tribal Fest, Tribal Fusion Faire, and other intensive workshops.  I would love the opportunity to attend workshops taught by anyone from Aubre (the first woman on T.V. to get me into bellydance), to the Indigo, or to (the East Coast's) Sera.  I like to continue taking classes in hip hop, modern, and anything else I can use to create my own signature style.

        I enjoy exploring different avenues of expression and creativity.  One of the joys in my life has been bellydancing.  I had my first taste of this art in 1998 with a teacher named Zira.  She was a basic Egyptian teacher from the Middle East.  Through her, I was introduced to zills, veil, tribal drum, cane, and all basic and intermediate dance moves of Egyptian style dance.  In 2007, I began studying with Jean Jay.  She taught a more collaborative style of dance that was drawn from the more recent tribal teachers.

        Since then, I have found alternative means of learning.  This includes the Suhaila and Jamilla Salimpor format, Jill Parker's ODC classes, workshops with Jodi Waseca,  Ariellah and Deshret Dance Company, intensives with Elizabeth Strong and Zoe Jakes, and a brief introduction to ATS belly dance at FatChanceBellyDance Studio.  I also enjoy practicing along with the media  that many  tribal and traditional dancers have made available.  I continue my studies with on-going private
lessons with Nanna Candelaria.

        We love these girls with all of our hearts!  They rarely have missed a practice, since we've met.  They'd come to our earliest Natural High events and were quickly hooked.  It wasn't long before they created their own costumes and danced along side of us.  We are proud of their hard work and the promise that they have shown.  Each one is a beautiful dancer with an amazing soul!  We are honored to have them and feel truly blessed!