DC International partner studios & Instructors

Najibah May 

Najibah is the Director of the Ikraam Kala Tribe in Mexico. She is a DC International Studio and Teacher of Divine Chaos® Fusion and sister studio of Tribal Moon. She is part of the esteemed Ghytias Studio teacher faculty, providing instruction and workshops in different formats such as Salamat Tribal,  DC Fusion, Tribal Moon, FCBD Style®, basket, veil, sword, improvisational tribal skirt, and skirt & fan fusion.

Najibah teaches weekly classes at Ghytiastudio, Estudio Danza Tribal Bellydance, Morelos, 04100 Mexico City, Mexico.

Contact info: https://www.facebook.com/minotaurodeaire

Za'Nyah Zi

Za'Nyah has been dancing her whole life. She has 18 years experience in lyrical, jazz, and ballet, 17 years of various belly dance forms, and 2 years flamenco. Za'Nyah has taught numerous workshops around the state of Idaho and has past teaching experience at Ballet Idaho, Cairo Fusion, and Starbelly School of Dance. She started belly dance with Sidonia Om Dunia in 2004 when she moved to Boise, Idaho. After dancing with her troupe, Raks Al Dunia, for 2 years Za'Nyah transitioned to Cairo Fusion, under the direction of Samira il Naia. After dancing with Cairo Fusion for 12 years and performing with the professional group Mazana for 10, Za'Nyah decided to focus on her love of dancing with a skirt. Za'Nyah studied Ruska Roma with Warda and Yaana in the Czech Republic and has continued learning and appreciating the Roma culture and dance forms through various online and local teachers, independent research, and Roma friends. She is part of the musical and dance group, Rom Drom, which strives to showcase the Roma influences on various cultures around the Middle East and Europe. Za'Nyah found Divine Chaos while searching for more classes for skirt technique and fell in love with the fun, flirty style. She completed the DC skirt endorsement series in 2019 and began teaching it in the fall of that same year. Za'Nyah is currently teaching weekly classes in Boise and recently started her own troupe, Twist of Fate. She is very happy to be part of the DC family!

Eleanor Shirkie

Eleanor has been teaching for over 12 years, having discovered and found her Tribal Bellydance passion in 2004 through Deirdre Macdonald’s classes in Scotland. On a weekly basis Eleanor enjoys teaching classes locally in Ayrshire Scotland and has her own troupe Tribal Visions who perform at dance events throughout the country. She is also delighted to dance with Deirdre as a member of Caravan Project UK, a Gypsy Caravan performance group. 

Eleanor holds various qualifications in dance and exercise to underpin her teaching, her dance qualifications include certification in GCTB® Teacher Training up to Level Two and Collective Soul Level Four. Additionally, Eleanor has also studied with JWAAD (Josephine Wise Academy of Arabic Dance) and is certified in the Safe Delivery of Belly dance classes, Exercise and Fitness Knowledge - NEC College, Extend - Exercise to Music for the Over 60's, she is a member of REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) level 3. 

Her first encounter with Divine Chaos Fusion® was at a UK festival called Tribal Gathering in 2013 she totally totally fell in love with their style, their ethos and with these fabulous ladies. When they returned to the UK summer of 2019 she decided the next part of her journey was to travel on the DC pathway. 

Working with Shannon she completed the skirt endorsement course and progressed towards partner studio status. She is honoured and absolutely delighted to represent Divine Chaos Fusion® and their skirt dialect and is so looking forward to teaching DC Fusion skirt format and sharing this fabulous dance format. 

Contact: eshirkie@yahoo.co.uk 

Fb Eleanor Shirkie

Samantha Flower Nova

Samantha's belly dance journey began in 2007 having been inspired by my belly dancing Gran'ma (and Shakira’s Whenever Wherever music video!). 

She started attending classes at the School of Contemporary Belly Dance and very quickly realised that tribal style belly dance was for her. 

It all began with Fat Chance Belly Dance (American Tribal Style) along with tribal fusion and as time passed she picked up Middle Eastern drumming (with instructor Doug Brush) and even had a lesson with the inimitable Karim Nagi! 

Samantha began teaching after the 2010/11 – earthquakes in Christchurch which turned the belly dancing scene on its head in Christchurch, with many of our teachers moving away and the SCBD becoming defunct. 

In 2014 she started learning Global Caravan Belly Dance (formerly Gypsy Caravan) working through the Collective Soul levels and towards the Teacher Training certification. 

In 2014 Samantha discovered Divine Chaos, fell in love with the style and purchased the DVDs, the love affair had begun and still continues! (In 2020, if Covid had not intervened she would have hosted DC here in Christchurch, happily, ans will be trying to revisit this marvellous opportunity again.) 

In 2016 she co-founded Soul Star Tribe - A tribal belly dance and percussion music musicians collective. Within this wonderful sisterhood she has the pleasure to be the Creative Director and lead instructor. 

As a colour enthusiast she gets to indulge in her creative madness, painting performances with colour themes and to create beautiful jewellery, face jewels and hair accessories often seen in Soul Star Tribe’s performances. 

Soul Star Tribe have weekly classes in FCBD, GCBD & DC. We are proud now to have our own gently evolving Soul Star dialect . My goal along with the SST collective is to share our joy and enthusiasm for our dance and music. Our style is eclectic and heartfelt with darker goth and wild women pagan witchy elements. Soul Star Tribe regularly perform at markets, festivals and events such as weddings and multicultural festivities.

Christine Haviland

It’s been quite the dance journey so far! 

So many highs and so much still to achieve!

My Belly dance passion began in 1998 soon after  I migrated to Auckland.

I didn’t begin formally teaching until 2009. 

 I’ve been honoured to meet and dance with some of my own Icons.  With so many experiences to add and shape my dance ideas and ideals, I’m enjoying its multi faceted pathway. 

I continue to enjoy my Belly dance journey; finding my niche in Tribal Style format. 

I am Native to Scotland but home is Auckland, New Zealand. 

My dance Troupes Spirit & Spirit of the Tribe, are active in Festivals, Community and many other events around Auckland.

https://www.facebook.com/christine.haviland/

https://www.facebook.com/Spirit-of-the-Tribe-Belly-Dance-127196124023768/

Our community GC Sisters NZ, envelopes the wider GC Dance community, with teachers in both North and South Island.

Our annual Tribal O event has grown in popularity and is a highlight of our dance year here. 

I’m a member of *GCDC  & *GCDC International  and have achieved Master Teacher status within this format .  

*Global Caravan Dance Company 

I continue to study dance and health, most recently 2018 -2020

Level 1 Pilates teaching certification,  Suna Pilates.  

Level 1 Initiation with Rachel Brice.  

Master Teacher Level 5 Global Caravan Tribal Belly Dance 

My recent ‘covid  ‘achievement; Certification and Teacher Endorsement in Divine Chaos Skirt Format.

I was introduced to Divine Chaos by a fellow South Island NZ dancer Sam Murphy and was completely hooked,

I wanted to learn it and dance it! 

Now I’m excited to be able to share the skirt series to the dancers in the Auckland area and beyond. 

The skirt series creates another element of creativity, complimenting GC styling. 

I teach a weekly class schedule in *GCTBD format, from foundation to advanced, Divine chaos Skirt series has now been added to that. 

I am privileged to travel to teach & share workshops to our Dance community around NZ.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of the skirt series and excited to be part of the DC family. 

I’m a keen up cycler as The Lace Thistle; I love to create head and hair candy. All of my creations have elements that started life as something quite different.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Lace-Thistle-1419147215004345/

https://www.instagram.com/thelacethistle_/?hl=en

Amanda Bound

Amanda has been teaching Belly dance since 2007, starting with Cabaret style and Keti Sharif’s A-Z series.  In 2014 she found Global Caravan Tribal Belly dance (formerly known as Gypsy Caravan Tribal Belly dance), this style really resonated with her and she is now certified to Teacher Level 3 and Collective Soul Level 4.  She regularly teaches GCTB in her hometown of New Plymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand’s North Island.  Her dance tribe is known as Gypsophilia and they regularly perform in New Plymouth at various multi cultural events.

In 2018 Amanda was introduced to Divine Chaos Fusion and was eagerly waiting for the Divine Chaos Troupe to visit New Zealand in 2020.  Sadly Covid-19 happened, and the workshops were unable to go ahead as planned.  Because of that, she registered for the Divine Chaos Skirt Endorsement series to learn more about Divine Chaos and their ethos.  Amanda is delighted to now be able to offer Divine Chaos Skirt format to Taranaki.   Amanda has found that Divine Chaos Fusion and GCTB complement each other and work well together.  

Amanda can be contacted at princessaaminah@hotmail.com, or Gypsophilia on Facebook.

Valerie Curtis

Valerie's dance journey began in 2010 with oriental belly dance at Hathor Dance Studios and Hips Don't Lie Belly Dance Academy. She studied with teachers Georgette Bowden,

Jrisi Jusakos, Johara, and Rachel Bond. At those classes, she met a lovely lady named Jessie who became her dear friend and dance partner. Before her passing, Jessie introduced Valerie

to many other dance teachers and styles, always encouraging her to dance, and she will forever be thankful for her unconditional support.

      In 2012, Jessie took Valerie to learn a sword choreography with Devi Mamak, and thus began my Tribal Belly Dance Journey. She fell in love with ATS and Devi's Australian FCBD format.

Devi's weekly classes and workshops gave her the opportunity to study with many international dance instructors, such as Deb Rubin and Sharon Kihara.

      Valerie discovered Divine Chaos in 2013 and was instantly fascinated - She couldn't get enough. She purchased the DVD's, studied each move and cue over and over, and eagerly watched

any Divine Chaos performances she could find. During the 2020 global lockdowns, I began the Divine Chaos Skirt Endorsement Program, and completed the teacher training in 2022. It has been a precious moment for Valerie, and she is incredibly grateful to Shannon Bowers and her amazing team for making Divine Chaos what it is.

      Valerie currently teach weekly classes in Australia at the Mount Druitt Hub, Ayres Grove Mount Druitt NSW 2770

Contact: valcurtis1984@hotmail.com

Facebook: Blossoming Butterflies Dance Den

Carla Aguíñiga

Carla Aguíñiga is a darkly inclined fusion and improvisational dancer. Director of Medusa Fusion Belly Dance in Tijuana Mexico and Yoga instructor. 

   Fat Chance Belly Dance and Divine Chaos Instructor and Partner Studio, Improvisational Team Sync (UNMATA, ITS) level 1, Maestras del Tribal and 8 Elements of Belly Dance certified teacher. Also practices modern dance and ballet.

   Carla teaches weekly classes at Studio Medusa in Fracc. Chapultepec, Tijuana B.C., México. 

Lindsey McCormick

Lindsey's love of dance began at an early age and has taken shape over the years in many forms. She teaches classical belly dance technique with a fusion flare, blending elements from dance styles learned throughout her life. One of her favorite elements to dance with is a flying skirt. From the first moment she put on a skirt and danced around her living room, she was hooked! Lindsey was first introduced to the Divine Chaos format in 2018, and completed the DC Skirt Endorsement Series in 2021. She currently is the director of two Troupes in Frederick, MD: Lotus Sol Skirt Troupe and Troupe Anam Cara. 

One of the most important elements for Lindsey is that she strives to create a nurturing, inspiring environment for her dancers where they can feel free of judgement and learn to accept and love their bodies just the way they are. 

Lindsey loves to cross train in varying belly dance styles including classical Egyptian, tribal fusion, Russian Romany, Flamenco Arabe and Divine Chaos skirt dancing. She has studied with Syliva Salamanca, Naimah Loren, Deborah Colley, Saeeda Kasym, Dalia Carella, Angela Petry and Belladonna Boheme. She is currently certified as a Level 3 Technician in Belladonna's Bohemian Blade technique and is a certified instructor in the Divine Chaos Collective Skirt Technique. 

Lindsey teaches weekly classes in Frederick, Maryland and is absolutely honored and delighted to be a part of the Divine Chaos family. 

Contact info:

Email: AnamCaraBellyDance@gmail.com

Website: www.anamcaradance.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/anamcarabellydance

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anamcaradance

Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxroy2WAb_M8dZ5IORAVp2VBo74LM3oG3&si=UkN6JfyNitnApPfu

Melody Waller

Melody began her dance journey in 2018 at the NIAD studio in Greenville, SC where she learned the foundations of dances from the MENAHT region of the world. Since that time she has joined the Niad troupe who perform at local festivals and events and became a NIAD instructor. She discovered DC skirt format in 2020 after looking for a style that focused on skirt and has loved it ever since. She is delighted to be teaching this style to her local dance community. As an Instructor, Melody strives to create a supportive, communal environment where students not only learn and practice dance technique, but find joy, connection, self-esteem, and personal expression. 
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/ArtofMelodyWaller, melodywaller@gmail.com

Larissa Pretorius

Larissa has always loved to dance, the feeling of “twirling” and moving her body in time to music. She believes passionately in women supporting women and loves the idea of creating a tribe that crosses all ages – maiden, mother and crone; of women unified by dance. Larissa loves that this dance changes us, that we become more graceful, our posture improves, we may begin wearing skirts where we never did before, jewellery, bling, learning to sew! She loves that Tribal Dance is a team sport, we all support each other in creating the dance. She wants to pass her joy onto others, so they can learn to love their bodies and the way they move.

Larissa has danced from a young age, beginning ballet at age 4. She also did tap, jazz and theatrical dancing until the age of 15, when she gave away her dreams of being a ballerina, after failing a ballet exam due to lack of turn out!!
Larissa started dancing again in 2004 when a friend and she joined a local belly dance class, which she loved. Larissa danced with this group for 5 or 6 years and really enjoyed performing but stopped dancing when she had her younger children. She then moved to Mount Barker WA in 2012 and discovered Tribal Dance, with the Tribal Thunder group. After attending the WAMED festival a few times she met Richelle and her group (the Free Spirit Gypsies) and discovered a love of the Global Caravan Dance style. 

Larissa then moved to King Island, Tasmania in December 2016 and her mother in law and sisters in law were keen for her to start a dance group here. Her dance classes had been a large part of her life and she really enjoyed the sense of sisterhood and tribe Larissa found when she joined with Tribal Thunder. She quickly realized that the only way for to experience that in an isolated location (King Island is a small island in the middle of the Bass Strait) was for to build her own tribe.
With that in mind, she became a certified Global Caravan teacher. She has loved the sense of connection and unity that comes from Tribal Bellydance. 

In 2017, Larissa found some Divine Chaos performance videos online and was mesmerised by the beauty of the skirt format they had created. She purchased videos to download and enjoyed learning the skirt combos and footwork. In 2020, she noticed that the Divine Chaos Collective were offering the online skirt endorsement but didn’t feel confident to apply. With the support of her husband, she completed the 2021 Skirt series and worked throughout 2022 to gain Partner Studio status. Larissa is very excited to be able to offer this dance style in Australia through classes and workshops. 

Larissa currently teaches both Global Caravan and Divine Chaos dance formats on King Island, where she performs with Blue Moon Tribe of King Island at local events and occasionally as part of Global Caravan events in other states.

Mandy Williams

Mandy has been bellydancing since 2008, after a friend talked her into going to a workshop. Through a series of events, she found herself teaching and coordinating the dance troupe BellyVegas (based in Rotorua NZ) and has been teaching since late 2010/early 2011. 

Starting in Orientale, she always felt there was something missing with her dance. She found this late 2013 when she was introduced to what was then Gypsy Caravan (now Global Caravan). This provided her with that something extra she needed for my dance. Move forward to 2018 and she was introduced to some of the moves from Divine Chaos.

Mandy was looking forward to meeting the ladies from Divine Chaos and participating in the workshops. Unfortunately, Covid had other ideas. In 2021 she registered for the Divine Chaos Endorsement Series to learn more of this style. Learning the moves and including them in her dance vocabulary extended her dance further and provided her with more of what was ‘missing’ as GCTB and Divine Chaos are a natural complement to each other.

As a dance teacher, she is GCTB certified teacher (level 1) and Collective Soul Level 5 (more to come). She teaches weekly classes with bonus classes during the summer on a Sunday in one of the very picturesque parks. BellyVegas has performed at various community and multicultural events.

Mandy can be contacted at bellyvegasdance@gamil.com or BellyVegas on Facebook