Troupe Bios

Marci found her passion for American Tribal Style Bellydance in late 1998 after attending a performance of her friend Megha in Birmingham, AL. Shortly after, they both moved to New Orleans and Marci was able to begin her studies with Megha, first in the living room, then in formal classes.

Marci returned to Birmingham in 2000 and continued on her own with the FatChanceBellyDance instructional video series. After several years of self-study, she again had the opportunity for formal training when Megha returned to Birmingham in 2003.

Marci is honored to have danced professionally with Megha in April 2004 and with Devyani at its formation in May 2004 until her move to the DC area in 2005.

In June of 2006 Marci completed the FatChance "General Skills" certification in San Francisco, CA, and is thrilled to have been accepted into the Teacher Training program with Carolena Nericcio. Marci will be traveling "back home" to Birmingham in April of 2007 to complete the Teacher Training in a special intensive with Carolena and Devyani.

Having learned from both the originator of ATS and her partner, Marci is proud to carry on the tradition in maintaining the "pure" FatChance form of American Tribal Style Bellydance. Her love of this improvisational dance form is contagious; students will learn not only the technical aspects of the dance, but find the freedom, joy and trust that comes from the interplay between dancers with each other and with the music.

Jennifer started her belly dance career in Syracuse, NY where she became a principle dancer and choreographer for Gypsy Fire Belly Dance Troupe. Since 1996, she has performed solo and group pieces at festivals, stage events and private events throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Jennifer has concentrated her study of belly dance principally from American Tribal Style belly dance creator Carolena Nericcio and has also studied American Tribal Style belly dance with Jill Parker. She has expanded her knowledge of belly dance in recent years, learning Egyptian style belly dance from Yasmin and Suhaila Salimpour's format from Asharah. Although Jennifer's passion always remains with pure American Tribal Style belly dance as she continues her study with Carolena, she also enjoys widening her technical knowledge of how her body can develop to create striking and unique belly dance movement.

Jennifer brings an animation and enthusiasm to the stage and classroom that is both endearing and entrancing. Her attention to technique in the classroom brings out the dancer in all types of people - young and old, experienced or not, of all shapes and sizes - into the glory of the woman's dance. Her excitement for the dance makes, not just technically sound dancers but also builds the spirit and the joy for the dance and creates performers.

In addition to her belly dance background, Jennifer has trained and performed classical dance forms such as ballet, jazz, modern and point throughout her life and in the last several years has established her acclaim in the popular 1930's form of swing dance - lindy hop.

Kaihea first began dancing during the rave culture of the '90s. As a voracious club dancer always looking for new moves, she was immediately drawn into tribal bellydance upon seeing a friend break out into a taxeemm with snake arms during one of their weekly nights out.

Since 2002, Kaihea has studied under numerous instructors, including Rachel Kay Brookmire, Marta, Wendy Youssef, and Yasmin. She continues to work towards establishing her own style of tribal fusion dance by taking workshops from dancers who inspire her, including Jill Parker, Heather Stants, UNMATA, Mira Betz, Ansuya, Sera, Kaeshi, Rachel Brice, Domba!, Carolena Nericcio, and Suhaila Salimpour. Motivated by Suhaila's technique and format, Kaihea attained Suhaila Salimpour's Level I certification in April 2006.

Hoping to inspire other dancers and potential dancers, Kaihea enjoys performing regularly with Sammati, with Zarbek, and as a soloist. Kaihea also directs the community group DCTribal, which is known for supporting local performers "&" events as well as bringing well-known and respected tribal bellydancers to the Washington, D.C. area for workshops and performances. These workshops give local dancers the chance to learn from the most innovative artists in tribal bellydance without having to travel around the country. DCTribal supports local dancers by providing scholarships to these workshops for dancers in need, as well as by sponsoring a monthly event, DCTribal Café, which showcases regional professional tribal bellydancers.

First and foremost, Kaihea loves dance and finds it a constant source of happiness. She hopes to continue to dance into old age, sharing her joy with other like-minded artists.