The Glenwood YMCA Bellydance Classes…
Alla Povod began the Glenwood YMCA and Chiropractic Solutions bellydance programs in September 2009, and now offers all levels of classes including: Intro to Bellydance, Bellydance Level 1, Bellydance Clinic, and Mommy & me classes. Also a certified Pilates instructor, Alla travels frequently with LEBD to teach area workshops and perform. A natural entertainer, Alla's performances, both as a soloist and principle dancer of LEBD, include events such as Pittsburgh Bellies in Erie, World Belly Dance Day, and Relay for Life. She brings her unique creative energy and panache for costuming to Lake Erie Belly Dance, Erie's professional, multi-genre belly dance troupe, performing multiple styles of belly dance such as ATS, Egyptian, and bellydance fusions. Members of LEBD rehearse at Long's School of the Dance with direction from Carla Fleming.

WEBSITE: http://www.theflemingschool.com/LEBD.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LEBD/188666080597

Sabrina Tolbert

Sabrina Tolbert is a 32 year old Tribal Fusion enthusiast who has been in love with bellydance for approximately 6 years. She is mainly self-taught, although for the last year she has been taking instruction under Carla Fleming for American Tribal Style Bellydance at Long's School of Dance. When she was younger, her Mom enrolled her in ballet and jazz classes at Little’s Dance Studio. Her major dance influences are Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Asharah, Ariellah, Kassar and hip-hop fluid dancer Anasma. Her musical influences come from various artists like Encephalon, Chombichrist, Corvus Corax and many others. She would like to thank her family and her best-friend that has been a huge part of her life, Paul Liniger, for their support and the courage they have given her to keep dancing. Sabrina is a member of the Lake Erie Belly Dance Performing Student Troupe and has performed with LEBD at events like The Women's Only Expo, and the 2010 Dead of Winter Hafla.

LEBD PST WEBSITE: http://www.theflemingschool.com/lebdabout.htm

Anna Yarosz

Hooping is a performance art that dates back to Egyptian times. For Anna Yarosz, who has danced acrobatics, ballet, & tap since age 3, it all started when her daughter picked up a Hula Hoop. Hooping makes her feel blissful, connected...She loves the sensation of the hoop on her body and the circular, rocking motion. It is very soothing, and it is fun! Having also studied Reiki, Anna takes note of the profound similarities in Reiki and Hoopdance...the spinning wheels of energy, and the spinning of the hoop around one's body. The interconnectedness of life on a cosmic and vibrational level.

Anna also makes her own hoops, which are available for sale. She can currently be contacted via info@TheFlemingSchool.com, and will be presenting a series of Hula workshops in conjunction with LEBD events in the near future.

Keep posted for details here

Clare Gamble

Clare Gamble’s love of dance began in 1949 with her first modern dance class in Washington, D.C., taught by Linda Verrill. Miss Verrill taught her students many forms of dance, even international dances, such as the Hula. During a brief trip to Hawaii, Clare was fortunate enough to have some classes with Emma "Mama" Kahelelani Bishop.

Clare has a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education, taught belly dancing in southern Rhode Island, and did exercise spots on a Boston, television station. From Nazarene she studied belly dancing wherever her travels took her, from NYC to San Francisco. In the early 1970’s no one on the East Coast had any inkling about the birth of the non-cabaret style in San Francisco! She has instructed hula at the Eastside YMCA and put together the Celebrate Erie Hula Show. Clare is thrilled to be studying now with Carla Fleming and Alla Povod of LEBD.

Clare can be contacted via info@TheFlemingSchool.com, and will be presenting a series of Hula workshops in conjunction with LEBD events in the near future.

Keep posted for details here

Brett Falon & Dance Elite

Brett Fallon is an Erie native who has danced and performed in the tri-state area since the age of three. He has studied jazz, tap, ballet, & hip hop at the Little Dance Studio, where he was a member of “Jazz Kids Dance Co.” as well as an instructor. Brett also has training in lyrical, modern, and folk/character. Brett was a member of the Harborcreek Vocal Ensemble and the Erie Playhouse Youtheatre Showstoppers Performance Groups.

Behind the scenes, Brett has experience operating lights and sound-boards. Brett’s film credits include “Jazz Kids Fun Dance Class”, “Praise Dancers Go to the Big Apple”, and “Jazz Class with the Jazz Kids”. Brett was the first place winner of Erie’s “So You Think You Can Dance?” contest.

Since forming Dance Elite*, he has started various programs throughout the community with his Dance Outreach Project, like Warren's First National Tap Dance Day and a Dance/Theater Department at the Boys and Girls Club in Erie. Brett is wholeheartedly committed to the mission of Dance Elite* for the future as he strives to learn and grow with it.

Managed by Melanie Augenstine, performing at the DOW Hafla with Brett were: singer Amber Cooke, rapper Arthur Owens, and the Lost Boyz Breakdance: Sammy Evans, Demetrius Terry, Kels Patterson.

WEBSITE: www.DanceEliteCompany.com
Facebook: The Lost Boys Breakdance

Long’s School of Dance Bellydance Classes

Carla Fleming leads the bellydance program at Long’s School of Dance, Erie’s Choice award winner in dance studios, 9 years running. Level 1 & 2 classes performed at The 2010 DOW Hafla in American Tribal Style, an improvisational bellydance based on body movement cues. A Certified ATS instructor through Carolena Nerricio of San Francisco, Carla shares her ATS knowledge in all levels of weekly classes at Long’s locations, and LEBD will host Carolena, the “mother of ATS” for a show & workshops in April 2011.

Keep posted at: http://www.theflemingschool.com/lebdevents.htm
…registration will be open soon!

WEBSITE: http://www.theflemingschool.com/LEBD.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LEBD/188666080597

LEBD Performing Student Troupe
The LEBD Performing Student Troupe (PST) is made up of LEBD bellydance students Ashley Madura, Sabrina Tolbert, and Linda Daugherty, who attend regular upper level classes & perform with LEBD at events, with direction from Carla Fleming, Alla Povod, and Melissa R.

Find out how to become a part of this troupe…join us for a free class to see what the fun is all about!
Class currently meets Wednesdays from 7-8 pm at Long's School of the Dance, Selinger location.

WEBSITE: http://www.theflemingschool.com/lebdabout.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LEBD/188666080597

Lake Erie Belly Dance

LEBD is Erie's professional, multi-genre bellydance troupe, performing multiple styles of bellydance such as American Tribal Style, Egyptian, and bellydance fusions, with direction from Carla Fleming. Principle members Melissa R., Alla Povod, and Carla Fleming, share a passion for dance, train weekly at Long's, and instruct classes throughout the Erie area, traveling frequently to teach area workshops. LEBD currently hosts classes at Long's School of the Dance, The Fleming School of the Arts, The Glenwood Park YMCA, Chiropractic Solutions, and Hamot Health Connection. Lake Erie Bellydance represents a 'sisterhood' of the dance, and is a supportive and driving force for bellydance in the Erie area, performing regularly at venues like the Presque Isle Gallery & Celebrate Erie, and hosting events such as Pittsburgh Bellies in Erie, and The 2010 Dead of Winter Hafla.

WEBSITE: http://www.theflemingschool.com/lebdabout.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages

Anne Laing of Gypsy Soul

Anne is a talented, dedicated dancer and an amazing choreographer for Gypsy Soul. She began her dance journey in the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet Company and started belly dancing lessons in 2003. Anne is also an experienced yoga, pilates, and fitness instructor.

When she dances, it is like watching liquid in motion! She is very committed to the fitness aspect of dance and sharing that knowledge with others. Anne is a mesmerizing performer, a natural instructor, and an inspiring addition to the troupe.

For notes or questions regarding Anne’s “Tribal Combinations” workshop at the 2010 DOW Hafla, contact her here: Laing_Anne@yahoo.com

WEBSITE: http://gypsysoulsisters.tripod.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gypsy-Soul-Dance-Company

Hareem Shar’eem

Hareem Shar'eem of Cleveland, Ohio, performs in many styles including Tribal, Gypsy, and Gothic Bellydance.

Their 2010 Dead of Winter Hafla performance was Gothic in style featuring performers Maysuun, Shirasaya, Caliope, and choreographer Jezebel. Jezebel is a middle eastern dance instructor and performer. She started studying middle eastern dance in 1997 and later began teaching at workshops and seminars. She is available for classes, workshops, choreographies, or for a performance--solo or with one of her troupes.

Jezebel is also host of the annual bellydance event Qaina, in Akron Ohio, which is sold out each year. More info on Qaina including class times here: http://www.jezfever.com/events.html

WEBSITE: www.JezFever.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hareem-shar'eem

Moquette Volante

Moquette Volante is a Pittsburgh based theatrical dance company dedicated to opening the minds and imaginations of a Western audience to Middle Eastern folklore and dance, bridging cultural gaps by exploring common archetypes, and promoting the tradition of live storytelling through dance, music and spoken word.

Kristi Ward began studying belly dance in 2002 at Dance Alloy, and has been performing dance professionally since 2004. She also works with partner Sean Miller as part of the Daring Douglasses, and teaches belly dance at Pittsburgh Dance and Theater Arts in Pittsburgh and is the Artisitc Director of Moquette Volante.

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Norman Papernick has been a student since 2003. Since then he has taken lessons from as many teachers in the Pittsburgh area as he could. He has been dancing professionally with Moquette Volante since the troupe was formed in 2008. He teaches a beginner belly dance class at Sterling Yoga in Pittsburgh and is a Principle Member of Moquette Volante.

WEBSITE: http://www.pittsburghartistregistry.org/mv
http://www.HakanDances.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moquette-Volante

Willowe Starling

A music enthusiast all her life, Willowe has always been drawn towards creating soundscapes that move the soul. As a child, she was drawn to playing instruments such as the piano and keyboards, and for a short while played the clarinet as well. But one summer, about 17 years ago, the heartbeat of the drums began calling her and the energy of the rhythms took hold of her in a way she never expected. She started playing at various drum circles and festivals, but it wasn't until hearing Raquy and the Cavemen perform in the summer of 2006 that her enthusiasm for the dumbek took on a whole new level and she truly fell in love with the various sounds that can be made from this one drum.

From that moment forward, playing the dumbek truly became a passion. She began working out of Raquy's "Dumbek Fever" instructional kits and found them to be the most useful tool in expanding her abilities. She has since been very grateful for the opportunities she has had to study with Raquy at her New York retreats and whenever opportunity presents itself, including a trip to Sinai and Cairo this spring!

Currently residing in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Willowe has started offering monthly classes and is working to help spread "dumbek fever" wherever/whenever she can, while also continuing to work at expanding her own abilities and knowledge.

WEBSITE: http://www.truealternatives.net/drumming

Gypsy Soul

Gypsy Soul is a fusion bellydance troupe from Akron, Ohio. They love dancing, learning, supporting the dance community, playing with fire, and most importantly, having FUN !!

Anne Laing
Anne is a talented, dedicated dancer and an amazing choreographer for Gypsy Soul. She began her dance journey in the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet Company and started bellydancing lessons in 2003. Anne is also an experienced yoga, pilates, and fitness instructor. When she dances, it is like watching liquid in motion! She is very committed to the fitness aspect of dance and sharing that knowledge with others. Anne is a mesmerizing performer, a natural instructor, and an inspiring addition to the troupe.

Kate White
Kate has been doing this bellydance thing forever it seems. She has a great passion for performing, teaching, and a true commitment to the troupe. As one of the originators of Gypsy Soul in 2002, she has made this troupe what it is today and all it is continuing to become. She is constantly encouraging us to learn and grow in our personal dance paths. K8 also possesses the gifts of creating interesting and funky choreographies. A beautiful, strong, yet graceful dancer- you just can't take your eyes off of her when she 's on stage doing her thing.

Melanie Miller
Melanie's first intro to bellydance was in 1993 when she was hired to play the part of a harem girl at a theme party. There she witnessed the bellydancing of a firey red headed lady who was balancing a sword on her head while playing zills. Although, it wasn't until 2000 that she decided to pursue finding a bellydance instructor, she was determined to learn the art of bellydance. She did this by taking four classes a week with Carrie Konyha. She was thrilled when she was invited to join Gypsy Soul in 2004. Melanie also has experience dancing with fire. Influenced by her love of Star Wars and Charlie Chaplin, Melanie brings fun and energy to her performances. Her creative and sassy style is always a joy to watch. With her fast, sharp and sometimes slow movements, you can never anticipate her next move.

Jenn Klettlinger
Jenn is one of the newest members of Gypsy Soul and has taken on the role of being the interactive coordinator for the troupe - designing and maintaining the Gypsy Soul web-site. Jenn's first form of dance exposure was belly dancing in 2003 and she instantly fell in love. She immediately began her bellydance journey and spent 4 years learning from Leyla Soleil and performing with troupe Dance du Soleil, which she still has the pleasure of performing with on occasion. Jenn is continually experimenting with different forms of dance, including swing dance and salsa style partner dancing which also contributes to the development of her unique style in bellydance. Jenn is quickly becoming an experienced seamstress with a flair for costume design and embellishment. Jenn is well versed in many styles of bellydance, from traditional to modern fusion. She learns and showcases every detail of choreography in a precise but also appealing way. Her dedication to dance shines through in her performance.

WEBSITE: http://gypsysoulsisters.tripod.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gypsy-Soul-Dance-Company