Ayesha Hi from Ayesha! I started bellydancing in 1991 after emigrating to Australia and the birth of my second child. I was looking for something out of the ordinary and bellydance fitted the bill! I soon started performing and teaching through the Belyssa academy then started my own business 'Ayesha Bellydance' with my own troupe. In 2000 Eva Cass and myself opened Sheik to Sheik, our own studio! It is still going well and offering classes for all levels. I had been toying around with ATS for a while with Alaine Haddon-Casey but something was not right even though I had a great passion for this style of dance. Then I met Paulette Rees-Denis and devoured the Gypsy Caravan style of tribal dance, it was exactly what I had been looking for and, fortunately my bellydance students all fell in love with it too. That was in 2005 and the Free Spirit Gypsies just keep growing stronger and stronger. My main sources of inspiration are Paulette, Rachel Brice and Devi Mamak. I just love this dance and I just love my gypsies! Betsy My first introduction to mainstream belly dance was about 7 years ago with Fereshta at Albany Summer School. I continued enjoying classes and performing for several years, mainly in Mt Barker, travelling 160kms round trip each week from my home near Frankland River. I had never seen Tribal Style dancing until a friend dragged me along to a workshop in Albany with Alaine Haddon-Casey and some of the Diaspora girls early in 2005. Wow - this was what I had been looking for, and my sequins and chiffon were quickly replaced by Kuchi and swirling 10 yard skirts! This now meant an even longer journey to Albany classes (with the gorgeous Beckie) but I managed that as often as I could and proudly became a founding member of Ashnanti Tribe. In 2006 my life was turned upside down when we decided to move to Perth. At the time, the one and only benefit I could see, was being closer (much, much closer!!) to Tribal classes! I danced with Mayakara for a while before joining the Free Spirit girls mid 2007. What an amazing bunch of ladies! Their wonderful dynamics and warmth (and sometimes plain kookiness!!) leaves me begging for more! I was so honoured to be accepted into the Free Spirit Tribe. I had my first performance with them recently and hope to be dancing and performing with them for a long time to come! Connie Hi, I'm Connie, I'm a Free Spirit Gypsy. In 2005 I decided to follow a lifelong passion of mine and began taking bellydance classes, first at a Community Centre and then formal classes at Sheik to Sheik Bellydance Studio. As a child, I had been visually introduced to bellydancing at the Hyde Park Festival here in Perth, which I attended annually for the full three day event. I always waited in anticipation for the performances from bellydancers, and particularly from the Romany Gypsies. My eyes would light up when I saw their beautiful bright costumes, with their joy of their dances and the amazing sounds that I heard from their music, I was transfixed. My debut as a bellydancer was at the Fly by Night Club in Fremantle with Oum Habibi. That night I watched performances by The Kismet Tribe and Free Spirit Gypsy Tribal, I was instantly engrossed in the energy and the strength that these two groups portrayed on stage. After one year of weekly bellydance classes, my gorgeous teacher Ayesha asked me if I would like to join the Free Spirit Gypsy Tribal group, as somehow she saw my inner yearning to be a tribal dancer. I have been a tribal sister since January 2006 and that year I followed my sisters to the Blue Mountains to participate in the Tribal & Trance Festival. This journey truly cemented my love of the dance and of the adoration I have for these inspirational women. I have three beautiful children and one patient and supportive husband, I have performed at haflas, bazaars and other events. Dorothy All my life I have had a love of dance. As a child I studied ballet and continued this wonderful form of dance through my teens and the early years of my marriage. Midway through 2000 I was looking for a new hobby, and as I was reading the TAFE newsletter, I noticed that belly dancing was on offer. This was something of a challenge as I had not danced for years. After joining the TAFE class I became entranced with the movements and the music, therefore once a week was not enough. I joined Sheik to Sheik and took lessons with Ayesha and Eva, and after a short while I was dancing Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays. I have danced at hafla's and concerts including the wonderful "Bellies for Breasts" concert which raises money for breast cancer research. I also entertain at community and Senior Day Centres with my group "Oum Habibi", and I teach the Senior classes at Sheik to Sheik. When Ayesha started the Tribal Group, it opened up a new style of dance for me and I immediately fell in love with it. I love my Tribal Sisters who give me a lot of help with costuming (Ido not sew). My experience in the Blue Mountains at the lst annual Tribal Fest with this wonderful group of women was fantastic. Janet My introduction to bellydance was as a teenager, when I saw Belyssa's Flames of Araby perform in Fremantle, and was immediately mesmerised by this beautiful dance. It wasn't until ten years later in 1994 that I did something about it and started lessons at the Academy of Middle Eastern Dance in Brisbane. My teacher, Roslyn, was very strict on technique, and her class was drilled until we were perfect. She was also a brilliant choreographer, which led to my love of oriental choreography and tight troupe work. I then moved to Melbourne, where I studied with Maria Sangiorgi of Dancing Isis. I continued my bellydance journey with Najida at Mirage Jamal, where I learnt to find the balance between choreography and improvisation. I also began teaching a beginners class, which I enjoyed immensely. When I moved to Perth in 2003 I joined Sheik to Sheik, where I was a student of Rose's. I was introduced to Gypsy Caravan tribal style when Paulette Rees-Denis visited in early 2005. This was my first taste of any tribal style, and I was immediately taken by its community spirit and group dynamic. Over the years I have performed at weddings, birthdays, corporate events, festivals and charity events. I continued to dance through two pregnancies, culminating in a performance five weeks after giving birth to my second child (thanks to Najida!). As an original member of Free Spirit, I hope to continue dancing with these wonderful ladies and to continue to develop our own unique and inimitable style! Julie I began belly dancing in 2003 when a friend suggested I give it a go and began taking classes with Ayesha. I saw the Kismet Tribe perform in 2004 was mesmerised by the costumes and the way it looked like they were dancing as one. In 2005 Ayesha gave me a taste of the Gypsy Caravan Tribal style and something just clicked (this was for me). I attended a tribal workshop with Alaine Haddon-Casey and joined the Free Spirit Gypsies not long after. Early in 2006 I attended a workshop run by Paulette Rees-Denis and was inspired to learn more. Paulette, Devi Mamak, Rachel Brice, Carolena Nericchio and my Tribal sisters are my inspiration for dance. It is a privilege and an honour to dance with the awesome women that make up Free Spirit. I am married to a wonderful man who supports me in everything I do and have 3 children. I run a home cleaning service, love playing on my tabla drum and teach beginner bellydance classes in my home suburb. Kerry In 2003, after turning 40 the year before, I decided I wanted to try Bellydancing, something I had been thinking about for some time (especially when my mother-in-law, in Newcastle NSW, tried it and loved it.) So I talked Leanne (now fellow gypsy & sister) into coming along for a seven week term to try it out. Oh Boy what a shock to the system, having never in my life taken any dance class, but I loved it and seven weeks has now turned into four years. Having Rheumatoid Arthritis from a very young age, I was finding the Bellydance a bit of a struggle. But then one night, 8 months after starting class ( I was now in the Intermediate class), Ayesha had a surprise for us... Paulette Rees-Denis! Well that was me hooked. I had found the style for me. Tribal was so much easier on my joints. I still struggle some times with the fatigue and pain but will never give up my tribe, my wonderful tribal sisters keep me going when the going gets tough. Going to the Blue Mountains for the first Tribal & Trance Festival was an awe inspiring adventure, seeing and meeting so many beautiful women who love to get dressed up spectacular costumes and dance. I have a wonderful husband, a neurotic dog and we run our own small business repairing speakers. In my spare time I volunteer at the Arthritis Foundation of WA, helping other sufferers of Arthritis. Marie I started my weird and wonderful journey into bellydance with Nicole in 2002. I had decided that although my life was full I needed something out of the ordinary to keep me sane! Tuesday nights at Shiek to Shiek with Ayesha and the girls was just the therapy I needed. I have never laughed so much while learning to bellydance, it was a lot harder than I thought. I had always loved watching the Tribal groups dance as I found their dance movements so refined and so in tune with each other I also loved their bright costumes. After a few classes with Paulette-Rees-Denis we were all hooked and when it was decided that our Tuesday nights would become Tribal I naturally followed the girls. I must admit that I wasn't that sure if Tribal was for me as I prefer a faster dance pace but, we dance to all different and sometimes out of the ordinary type of music that my fears were for nothing. Each Gypsy has their own unique style, a diverse mixture of craziness and fun which creates a wonderful balance between us all. Our Blue Mountains Tribal and Trance trip has to be one of the best memories I have stored away. We had so much fun learning, drinking, eating and more eating! I am married to a wonderful man and have three children. My teenagers think I'm a bit of a weirdo but support and love me anyway. I have my own book keeping business and volunteer as Treasurer for the Fremantle Hawks Junior Football Club. Being part of this unique group of Free Spirit Gypsies was supposed to keep me sane but has sent me kooky and I'm loving it!!! Let the journey continue ... Richelle Richelle has been dancing for a little over 5 years. She started belly dancing with Ayesha really enjoying beledi and the more folkloric styles, especially the Melaya luff where her cheeky side is unleashed. In 2004 she saw the Kismet Tribe perform and was completely awestruck by the power and beauty they project on stage. She had found her style!! Paulette Rees-Denis was her first tribal instructor and from there on has not looked back , studying with as many Tribal teachers as possible, her biggest influences being Rachel Brice, Mel Rogers, Sharon Moore and the beautiful Devi Mamak. I really enjoy the energy and joy of dancing with my tribal sisters, connecting with them and with the music and movement, it is truly empowering. In her spare time she tries to fit in her very understanding beautiful husband Mathew and son Bronson, runs a florist shop, "Just A Bunch' which makes for some interesting head wear!! and has recently begun teaching a Bollywood class!! Amy I have always loved dancing, but as a kid had very little exposure to it. At uni during an Ecofeminism class I discovered bellydancing. I knew it was for me straight away. Ayesha was my first teacher (it was when she told me that I was "a natural at snakearms" that I was hooked! Could it be that I am actually good at this stuff?!?!) I have taken lots of different classes since, but after lurking around the Freo belly world for quite a few years and heard about tribal classes at Sheik to Sheik studio and became a founding member of The Kismet Tribe. The thing that enthralled me most about ATS was improv. What I loved about cabaret was the act of gathering together as women to dance, but tribal made this the key element. It acknowledges the significance of the interaction between women while dancing. Under Clair's instruction I learned a great deal about improv, posture and technique. Dancing with Kismet during my pregnancy and after my babe was born was a very special time for me. But after five or so years with Kismet it was time for me to take a step in a different direction... little did I know it was to be a big leap! I have only recently joined the Spirit Sisters (therefore making me an 'honorary member' of Free Spirit ) and can feel my creative side re awakening! I just love Richelle and Julie's fun and welcoming approach to dance! Our first gig was a blast and we are bursting with more kookie ideas for more... I can't wait to travel with everyone to 2008 Tribal Fest! Anne (Annabella) I began bellydancing in 2001 and performed in the Rockingham area with HipFX for several months. At the beginning of 2002, Alaine Haddon-Casey started teaching the first American Tribal Style Bellydance classes in W.A. ... and I was hooked! This was something totally different, and so totally inspiring. (it even inspired me to get a tattoo at the age of 50!) I was one of the founding members of The Kismet Tribe and enjoyed performing with them for 5 years. I have also taken workshops with Carolena Nericchio, Paulette Rees-Denis, Sue Erokan, Sahira (Urban Gypsy) and Devi Mamak. In 2006 I travelled to the first Australian Tribal Trance Festival with the Free Spirit Gypsy Tribal girls and fell under their spell! What a fun, friendly, caring, sharing and ever so slightly "outrageous" group of women! I am totally delighted to have been accepted as one of the Free Spirit Gypsy Tribal "gypsies". I am married with 2 kids, work part time as a medical scientist, enjoy all kinds of crafty things, am a member of a Medieval recreation group, and I am also a slightly obsessive webpage writer ... check out my main website at www.annabella.net The rest of the Gypsies... are still working on their bios!