~April~
April's journey to belly dance started in 2000 when a good friend of hers suggested they take a belly dance class together. Her first belly dance class was a Raq Sharki class at Isis Dance Studio. April found it challenging and fell in love with the rhythms and the sparkly costumes. She later saw Tania (Eclipse Fusion's Benevolent Opinionator) perform a dark fusion duet with Jodi (Doesburg) and she became hooked with this style instantly.
Over the years, April has also come to love and study other forms of dance as well, such as ITS (Improvisational Tribal Style) with Saskia, founder of Luna Dance Fusion (http://lunadancefusion.com/), and Hip Hop Fusion with Redsauce- both at Bedouin Beats. April says, "I am honored to be part of such an amazing troupe. Dancing with these ladies is so awesome!"
Over the years, April has also come to love and study other forms of dance as well, such as ITS (Improvisational Tribal Style) with Saskia, founder of Luna Dance Fusion (http://lunadancefusion.com/), and Hip Hop Fusion with Redsauce- both at Bedouin Beats. April says, "I am honored to be part of such an amazing troupe. Dancing with these ladies is so awesome!"
~Kara~
I took my first dance class in 2007 when a friend took me to a belly dance class with her. Since that moment I've fallen in love with belly dance and its unique style of movement. Although I originally studied Raq Sharki I have been in love with tribal fusion, and dark fusion in particular since I first started to dance and fusion was what originally drew me to belly dance. I was an original member of the troupe Rebellia, and have studied with many amazing instructors and taken workshops with Kami Liddle and Suhaila and Ariellah.
~Laura~
I discovered fusion in 2009, when I was invited to a recital by Anita. I started dancing that Fall, after the idea of trying a class percolated in my brain over a summer. Fusion combines all things I loved as a child, like dressing up and telling stories, and things I didn't know I loved, like the challenge of the dance. I'm drawn to the technique and theatricality emphasized in fusion. Aside from fusion, I have also taken classes in ATS, ITS, and Raq Sharki. I've studied in Edmonton with Tania, Saskia, Donna, Brandi, and Nuwayrah, in Toronto at the Dark Side Studio, and I've taken workshops with Mohamed Shahin, Dr. George Sawa & Dahlia Obadia, Samantha Emanuel, and Heather Stants.
~Lavinia~
Lavinia took her first Raqs Sharqi/Modern Oriental class in 2012 with Holly and knew immediately that she will keep coming back. She has also had the opportunity to train locally with Maya Christina and internautically, as well as in-person, with Aziza. She discovered fusion on Portland's Datura Online studio, while looking to still practice following an injury.
A new, incredibly rich storytelling medium awaited...
Her heart has a few special places reserved for veil, Roma dance and Odissi.
A new, incredibly rich storytelling medium awaited...
Her heart has a few special places reserved for veil, Roma dance and Odissi.
~Lia~
Lia's start into the belly dance world occurred in 2007. She was with a few friends of hers at a restaurant and a dancer there inspired their group to take a class. Little did she know that dancing would become one of her major creative outlets and passions.
- Lia originally started her dance journey with the Raq Sharki style, and gradually found herself exploring ATS and Tribal Fusion styles as well. She has found that she loves the creative freedom that Tribal Fusion allows. Lia shares that, "Being a part of a collective troupe has given me so many opportunities to grow and evolve in more ways than I could ever imagine and I look forward to dancing for many more years yet to come."
~Loki~
With no prior dance experience, Loki unexpectedly fell in love with belly dance while attending her first class in 2009. She had an early exposure to Tribal Fusion, which led to a connection with the darker side of belly dance. Loki is one of the original members of Eclipse Fusion, having performed with the troupe since its creation in 2010. She has been fortunate to benefit from workshops with instructors such as Ariellah Aflalo, Jill Parker, Kami Liddle and Amy Sigil.
Loki shares that, "learning, growing, and developing as a dancer has filled a void I never knew existed, and I am continually challenged and inspired by my fellow members."
Favorite quote: "Don't ever change, I like it spooky" - God Module
Loki shares that, "learning, growing, and developing as a dancer has filled a void I never knew existed, and I am continually challenged and inspired by my fellow members."
Favorite quote: "Don't ever change, I like it spooky" - God Module
~Marie~
Marie has always danced. Whether twirling around as a child or tip toeing in ballet, dance has always been around to push, strengthen, and support her. She began taking classes in 2007, including Ballroom (all sorts), Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Burlesque, Cecchetti, RAD, and Modern Ballet. Specializing and competing mostly in Cecchetti Ballet, she suffered an injury that halted her dance career to a stop. Since recovery, she has dedicated the last 4 years to learning all forms of Tribal Belly Dance.
Marie has followed such leads, attended workshops, and completed online courses with Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Rachel Brice, Amy Sigil, and Luna Rouge (as well as many more inspirations). Marie is also currently a member of the troupe Moon Unit, a group specializing in ITS Belly Dance. She also had the privilege to T.A. an ITS class with the lovely Saskia Arts, and is striving to be a Tribal Belly Dance instructor in the future.
Marie has followed such leads, attended workshops, and completed online courses with Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Rachel Brice, Amy Sigil, and Luna Rouge (as well as many more inspirations). Marie is also currently a member of the troupe Moon Unit, a group specializing in ITS Belly Dance. She also had the privilege to T.A. an ITS class with the lovely Saskia Arts, and is striving to be a Tribal Belly Dance instructor in the future.
~Nicole~
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~Sheryl~
I began learning the art of bellydance in the fall of 2003, when I experienced a session of classical raqs sharqi with Tascheleia. I continued on this path with Nada Cheheyab and Aldiya as instructors and was able to attend workshops with Horacio and Beata Cifuentes, Nath Keo, Sabura, and Sonia of the Bellydance Superstars. I changed things up when I took my first tribal fusion workshop with Ariellah Aflalo in 2007 and was instantly hooked! I followed through by systematically stalking Edmonton instructor and dancer, Tania Wee for the next two years. She eventually put me to work as her dedicated teaching assistant which I have been enjoying ever since. Since that time, I have had the honour of taking fusion workshops with Mira Betz and Ariellah as well as classes in American Tribal Style and, most recently, Improvisational Tribal Style which I also adore. In 2010, I began teaching my own class of tribal fusion drills at Bedouin Beats studio. Presently, my dancing is influenced by Rachel Brice and Kami Liddle and I continue to take classes from and enjoy stalking Miss Wee.