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I have been teaching ATS® since 2002, am a former member of FatChance BellyDance®, and the director of Tribal Moon Belly Dance, currently located in Bend, Oregon.

The first time I watched the legendary American Tribal Style® (ATS) troupe, FatChance BellyDance I was hypnotized by the power and beauty of the movements, captivated by the costuming, and completely amazed to learn that ATS is an improvisational dance form. I traded in my cabaret clothes for tribal costuming on the spot.

Patience, Persistence and Practice!

Before joining FatChanceBellyDance I performed for several years with San Francisco-based folkloric and cabaret belly dance troupes, including Magana Baptiste's internationally recognized dance group. And yes, I needed to learn how to dance all over again when I left cabaret for ATS!

Determined to be good enough to dance with FatChance I took classes from Carolena (the legend who brought ATS to the world) four days a week, and frequently met with my classmates outside of class to practice, practice, practice. After two years and countless hours of drilling and practicing my hard work paid off. I was invited to join FatChance, first as part of Second Skin (the advanced student troupe), then finally as a full-fledged member of the troupe.

Performance experiences with FatChance and Tribal Moon include performing at world-class festivals, cool restaurants, fund raisers and local haflas including:

San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Rakassah, Tribal Fest, Festival Tribal Mexico, Tribal Throwdown, Tribal Fusion Faire, Fantasy Festival, Dancin' Downtown (for National Dance Week), Cabrillo Music Festival, Filmore San Francisco NYE shows, Cafe Istanbul, Amira Cafe, Khan Zaman Restaurant.

You can also see me in 3 FatChance BellyDance videos: 'Cues & Transitions', 'The Gypsy Trail', '20 Year FCBD Retrospective / Director's Cut'

The Rise of Tribal Moon

2002-2009

A move from San Francisco to San Jose in 2002 gave me an opportunity to teach ATS classes rooted in the tradition of FatChanceBellyDance. Late in 2005 I formed my own troupe, Tribal Moon with founding member Noelle Lenhard (daughter to Chuck and Kajira).

In December 2009 I moved from California to Bend, Oregon, leaving behind San Francisco and my beloved members of Tribal Moon (who kept the ATS dream alive, stayed together and now perform under the name Persephone Dance Company. They are amazing and I am so proud the be their 'dance mama').

2009 - Present day

Currently based in Bend, Oregon and the second generation of 'Moon Beams' continues to entertain and delight audiences, while I continue to teach classes and workshops at home and around the world.

I look forward to meeting all the dancers who are as obsessed with ATS as I am -- you know who you are )O(