PERFORMANCE TROUPES

The studio is home to 2 performance troupes -

LUMANI

Our semi-professional performance troupe is Lumani.  Lumani  is a closed troupe.  New members are invited in and are mostly pulled from the student troupe.  For more information about Lumani, including our prices and how to hire us, check website: www.justlumani.com


Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe is the student troupe of the studio.  The student troupe is open to any UNLIMITED student that can attend the Lunatic Fringe rehearsal scheduled on Mondays at 7:45 pm.  The Lunies (as they are affectionately called) must also attend at least one other dance class per week.  

PAST TEACHERS

Jade Walters

Jade was our ATS instructor.  ATS is short for American Tribal Style - a style of dance that was created by a wonderful lady in California - Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellydance (www.fcbd.com).  Jade did not teach strictly Carolena's ATS style - but the basics are the same.  Unfortunately, we lost Jade when she moved to NM in July 2011.  We miss her greatly!
For more information on Jade, check out her website: www.jadedancer.com

THE TEACHERS

The studio couldn't go on without the teachers.  Here's a little bit about the current teachers at the studio:

Lisa Wylie

Lisa is the owner of the studio.  She had a vision to provide a home to the local bellydancers so they would have a place to teach, learn, and grow.  She opened up the studio doors in 2005 and has been helping out ever since.  She currently teaches ALOT of the classes at the studio and is the artistic director for both troupes - Lumani  and Lunatic Fringe.  You can see her at the studio practically every night...and if you have a question on posture - she is the person to go to!  She is the best teacher to go to for a good foundation on the basic bellydance techniques - so if you have never taken a bellydance class before, start with Lisa!  Yeah Lisa!

Darbuka Dave

Darbuka Dave is the studio's drum teacher.  He is available for private and group lessons, and is currently in strong demand for his wonderfully informative and highly entertaining workshops.  He currently teaches an ongoing Middle Eastern Drum class on Tuesday nights from 8 - 9 pm.  For more information on Dave, check his website:
www.darbukadave.com

Sallye Elliott
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Sallye is a seasoned bellydance teacher, specializing in the Egyptian and American Cabaret styles. She also teaches a regular class at the Huntsville Wellness Center in Jones Valley. She is a featured musician of Lumani with her multitude of musical talents on the oboe, saxaphone, recorder, and will dabble with the various percussive instruments like the drums and tambourines. Her regular class is an amped up Intermediate Zils class that will be taught on Thursdays at 6:45 pm.


Lea Nichols
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Lea Nichols was our substitute dance instructor, but with the depature of Jade, she has stepped up to be our regular ATS teacher! Yeah Lea! Come take an ATS class with Lea on Tuesdays at 6:45 pm!


Rayan
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Rayan has come back to teaching at Nomadic Tapestry to teach a Yoga Fitness class on Thursday nights from 8 - 9 pm.  What a great way to wind down after a day of dancing!

"JAK"arta
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"JAK"arta is our newest instructor at the studio. She is a transplant from the Kentucky area where she taught and performed in a local troupe. She will be teaching a Bellydance class on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 6:45 pm.

Michelle Durig
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Michele is our Zumba Gold instructor and she is one of a few licensed Zumba Gold instructors in Huntsville, Alabama! We are so happy to have her teaching at our studio! Zumba Gold is a low impact Zumba class so it is easier on the joints. But don't think that low-impact means no sweat. You will be sure to work out in her class! Check out this class on Thursdays from 4:30 - 5:20 pm!

~TEACHERS ON LEAVE~

Liz Behel
 
Liz Behel, also known as PLiz, is one of the "Liz" teachers at the studio.  She mainly teaches an Intermediate class focusing on performance technique.  She is a wonderful choreographer - the sword dance and the Raquy Drum Solo are just 2 of choreographs that she did.  Most beginner students find her class intimidating, but if you can stick it out, you will find that your performance growth will increase greatly!

As of September 2011, PLiz is on her maternity leave.  You may see her at the studio taking a class or just hanging out.  She hopes to return to teaching in January 2012.

Amber Skantz

Amber is our instructor of Ballet for Bellydancers which has been renamed to Basic Dance Technique for Bellydancers.  Don't let the title scare you!  She teaches basic dance technique such as the French dance terms we use that basically mean "on your tippy-toes" or "turn around", etc.  She will also teach tips on turning, pretty arms, and strengthening.  A great class for beginners who have never taken a dance class before! 
As of November 2011, Amber will be taking a break from teaching due to a new job responsibilities.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS!

We also have the following substitute teachers who are occasionally used to help out the regular teachers.

Thomas Groover
Substitute Drum Instructor

Dani Cox
Substitute Dance Instructor