Teachers

	Carolena Nericcio Director and Master Teacher Carolena Nericcio is a name synonymous with Tribal Style as we know it in American subculture today. An early fascination of permanent body adornment lead the 8-year old Carolena to request her Father, a collector himself, to buy a ring she could ‘wear always and not take off’. This concept evolved into the study of folkloric textiles, a body full of tattoos and a collection of jewelry and textiles from around the world. The discovery of belly dance led to the creation of her own dance style, American Tribal Style® Belly Dance. It’s movements are inspired by folkloric dances of the Middle East and India. Aesthetically ATS® is based on the richness of textiles and jewelry from North Africa and India. ATS® is a method of improvisational choreography, using a vocabulary of natural movements and cues allowing the dancers to communicate via gesture when dancing together. The effect is a vibrant thread drawing the audience into the tapestry. Her troupe, FatChanceBellyDance®, is a Bay Area phenomenon that has become known around the world. The majestic costuming, including full headdresses and layers of ethnic jewelry, celebrate folk art of the old world. The music, a carefully chosen collection of both traditional sounds and modern fusion adds the effect… American Tribal Style® looks “old” but it is actually “new.” The worldwide popularity of ATS® led Carolena to create a substantial series of Tribal Basics DVDs bringing the instruction, performance and inspiration for the dance to an global community. Musical CDs were also created in collaboration with renown artists.
	Wendy Allen Assistant Director and Teacher Wendy has always had an urge to express herself artistically, but couldn't find a way until she found her home in American Tribal Style® belly dance. She has been part of the FatChanceBellyDance® family for 14 years, has been a member of the professional troupe for 10 of those years, and a teacher for 8. She has had the pleasure of teaching both domestically and internationally. She has a deep passion for and commitment to the integrity of the dance form, and loves to share that passion with her students.
	Anita Lalwani Teacher Growing up in a Fairview Park, Ohio, Anita Lalwani was a bookworm. While she dabbled in athletics (tennis, skiiing, and even synchronized swimming!), it was not until she moved to San Francisco and met Carolena Nericcio that she fell in love with one activity-- American Tribal Style® (ATS®) bellydance! Her devotion to the ATS® dance form became so strong that Anita extracted herself from her administrative office job to embrace the art of movement and physical fitness full time. She became a certified yoga teacher in 2005 and a personal fitness trainer in 2008. These skills have enhanced her teaching of bellydance and helped her to develop a popular Dance Conditioning class that blends yoga, dance drills, and strength training for the ATS® belly dancer. Anita has been dancing with FatChanceBellyDance® and instructing classes for over a decade. In her workshops and classes, Anita shares with her students her passion and belief in the transformative power of music and dance.
	Sandi Ball Teacher Sandi has been studying and dancing with FatChanceBellyDance® since 1998. It has been a rewarding journey of discovery, commitment and maturation - from being a student, to a performer, to a troupe member, to a teacher, to a mentor. She has been teaching since 2005 and is also the lead mentor for the student troupe, BlueDiamonds. When not at the studio, Sandi is a bindi and jewelry designer and also takes hula classes.
	Marsha Poulin Teacher Marsha knew she wanted to be a dancer by the time she was 12 years old, and her passion for dance spans 35 years. Her studies in Japanese dance, ballet, Tango, and most notably jazz, having taught and performed professionally prior to joining FCBD®, gives her a wealth of technique and knowledge to draw upon when teaching and performing. "I thrive on bringing all I know of dance to classrooms and audiences. When you love to dance, technique and fitness free you to experience a wonderful spontaneous state of joy, poise and strength." Her wish for every dancer is that they get to experience that perfect expression when body, mind and spirit are synchronized. "The added bonus in dancing ATS® is that you get to share it with other dancers."
	Kristine Adams Teacher Kristine Adams is a second generation dancer and was infused with a love of movement by her mother a former ballerina for the Oakland Ballet. Kristine was wooed and captivated by FatChanceBellyDance® in 2004 after a single class with Carolena Nericcio. She was inducted into the FCBD® troupe in 2006 and started teaching at the FCBD® studio in 2008. Through the love and support of her dear mentor Carolena Nericcio and her amazing troupe members Kristine has been able to make all her dreams come true. Since becoming part of this illustrious entity Kristine has been able to marry her love for movement, music, travel and photography in one lovely package. She is currently working on a documentary to prove ATS® world domination and will hit the road August 2012, please follow her trip around the globe at www.fromthebellyofatraveler.com. You can also view her infamous photography of stunning belly dance beauties at www.kristineadams.com.
	Kae Montgomery Teacher Kae came to FatChanceBellyDance® from her homeland Japan in the spring of 2007. Kae's love of ATS® made her a regular at FatChance classes and in less than two years she was invited to join the FatChanceBellyDance® troupe. Since she began performing and teaching in 2009 she has felt so lucky to be a part of the beautiful community and sisterhood that is FatChanceBellyDance® (she even has the tattoo to prove it). Kae can't wait to see you and share with you her fun, energetic, and enriching class. Visit Kae's little blog at www.kaetribalbellydance.com.
	Suzanne Elliott Teacher Suzanne first began her belly dance life around 1990 and had the honor of becoming an early member of FatChanceBellyDance® where she stayed for several years. Her other love, studying and teaching the art of herbal lore pulled her in another direction until 2007 when she was compelled to return to her beloved ATS®. A devoted student, she once again, was graced with the opportunity of becoming a FCBD® member and for the past 2 years has thoroughly enjoyed the company of her fellow dancers and her passion for teaching.
	Stefanie Kelly Teacher A child of two artistic parents, mom a dancer and dad a painter, it was hard for Stefanie to resist the urge for artistic expression. At the ripe old age of 6, Stefanie found herself immersed in the world of classical ballet where she stayed until she graduated from college. Along with artistic expression, musicality, and athleticism, ballet also taught her that dance was about discipline and hard work. “I loved the structure and routine of it all.” Stefanie was first introduced to belly dance with two years of Classical Egyptian training. However, she was eventually drawn to ATS® by its beautiful textiles, powerful dance presentation, and group dynamic. “I saw a clip of FatChanceBellyDance® and fell madly in love!” She eventually joined Tribal Moon in the South Bay and later helped to form Persephone Dance Company. She gratefully accepted the invitation to join the Mother Ship, FatChanceBellyDance®, in October of 2010.