Brighton started with dance as many young girls do in ballet. However, pink frilly bits are not her gig and she soon drifted away from dance, not realizing how many other fantastic styles there are. Upon attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2000 she again discovered her latent love of wiggling around to music and took a few classes in jazz, bellydance, and other styles. Just don't ask her to do salsa.

Although normally uncoordinated and frequently falling down or knocking things over, Brighton found an immediate home with Tribal Fusion as taught by Mary Haley in 2007. She loves the aesthetics, sounds, and motions of tribal bellydance, particularly the gothic style. In 2009 she started taking ATS classes from Joyce Young and successfully avoided falling down or knocking anything over at her first performance in May 09.

Liz began her dancing “career” in Los Angeles at the very young age of 3, starting with ballet, and continuing until age 21. Even though ballet was her first love, tap and drama classes were also included in her theatrical studies. She gained on-stage experience performing for the USO, the L.A. County Fair, and numerous other venues. At 18, she was given the opportunity to perform with Twyla Tharp’s company, when more dancers were called for, and auditioned for a performance held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the very theater where she saw Rudolf Nureyev perform. In 1972, she joined the American Concert Ballet Theater in Hollywood, until the age of 21, leaving for health reasons.

Having grown up in a culturally diverse neighborhood in Los Angeles, her family was enriched by close ties to two Arabic families who lived across the street, often being invited to family events in which belly dancing was often performed. She was hooked on the music, food, and dancing of this Middle Eastern culture, always longing to study the art of belly dancing.

In 1980, Liz moved from L.A. to Fairbanks and began her career as a court reporter, later opening her own firm in 1999. Dancing was put on hold throughout these career-building years until she saw Tundra Caravan perform at the grand opening of a local Greek restaurant. She was so impressed with the performers that she began her search of local instructors. Liz began studying with Raks Souzana in Fairbanks and during the annual student recital became enthralled with Tribal Wallah’s performance, and began taking classes under Joyce Young in the summer of 2008. Being able to dance again after such a long hiatus has been a life-altering experience for Liz. The workshops she’s attended, the professional and talented instructors, the music she’s been exposed to, but most importantly the friendships she’s made along the way has renewed her love of dance.

Jennifer has been an active member of the Fairbanks dance community for over 20 years. Much of that time has been focused on the study and performance of jazz, hip hop, tap and classical ballet. Jennifer has various experiences creating choreographies, both for her high school cheerleading squad and then later as a teacher for several classes at a local studio. Eventually, Jennifer began to feel that while she had been blessed with many gifted teachers to help her in her dance studies, she needed a new challenge. Bellydance struck her as a beautiful and unique challenge, requiring her to hone muscle control, coordination and movements in ways that she had not been exposed to. Shortly after joining the bellydance community, she fell in love with not only the art, but the sense of sisterhood, support, and acceptance that exists within the bellydance community.

Cynthia Serva, Student Dancer

Stephanie Gottschalk, Student Dancer

Sarah Salzman, Student Dancer

Ellen Million, Student Dancer