Interview with a Bellydancer: Terri Allred

In honor of being on a family vacation last week, I am going to post the interview with my sister, Terri!  I hope everyone else gets to spend time with their families this summer.  Terri introduced me to bellydance and I will be forever grateful.  I am very lucky that I get to dance with her often, whether is is FaceTime rehearsal or meeting at events!

Thanks to Terri Allred from Rochester, MN with Third Eye Tribal for agreeing to participate in our "Interview with a Bellydancer" series!

Photo Shoot with Paul Cory in 2015

Anything you want included about family, non-Bellydance job, other interests: I am a full time belly dancer and belly dance consultant.  I have two boys (12 and 16yo), a husband and a dog.  I love to hunt for sea shells and read.  

If you had superpowers, what would they be?

I absolutely adore Wonder Woman.  I watched the TV show when I was a kid and have always loved all things Wonder Woman.  She has super strength, agility, reflexes, senses, stamina and endurance.  

That would work for me!

If I opened your refrigerator right now, what would I find?

Dill pickles.  I am kind of on a kick right now.  I put them on sandwiches and on salads.

Smooches with Carolena at ATS® Homecoming 2015

What is your proudest Bellydance moment?

I think so far, performing on stage at Tribal Con with Lisa, introducing my ATS® with Veil Movement Dialect to the public.  That was such a great show and the performance was “on."

Lisa and Terri at TribalCon 2014

What is your proudest non-Bellydance moment?

Definitely giving birth to my sons!  I felt like Wonder Woman after my first son was born following 38 hours of labor!

Tamarind, Third Eye Tribal and Dayanisma in Springfield, IL 2015

Classic, modern, or movement dialect and why?

I love the classic moves, but am all about the movement dialect.  I appreciate the freedom to create my own movements and “dialects” within the structure of ATS®.

Interview with a Bellydancer: Sharon Walker

Thanks to Sharon Walker of Dayanisma for agreeing to participate in "Interview with a Bellydancer!" 

Sharon is one of our newest Dayanisma members.  Part of our troupe mission statement reads:

"We pride ourselves as being "ambassadors of dance" in the larger dance community.  This means always acting professionally, supporting other dancers (particularly those without as much experience), being kind and helpful, and representing this troupe in a way that makes people think of us as approachable, fun and talented!"

Sharon is this mission statement incarnate.  She is always willing to lend a hand, whether it is coming to practice early to help another troupe member with a difficult move, constructing a specialty costume piece (Elvis vests for TribalCon and she did that b/f she was even in the troupe), or tucking everyone's skirts before performance (she is a master tucker).  We are very lucky to have such a talented and thoughtful troupe member!  Without further ado, here is her interview!

Sharon in a duet at ATS ® Attacks

Anything you want included about family, non-Bellydance job, other interests:  My techie job pays for my ever evolving Costuming and Belly Dance professions.

If you had superpowers, what would they be?  Teleportation! Definitely, teleportation.  I can pop in at Bettys Tea Room in York for afternoon tea, be in Atlanta visiting friends at a moments notice, make sure I run into Tom Hiddleston when ever possible... or show up at ATS ® Homecoming and not have to deal with any airports!

Sharon, Kris, and Holly at Mosaic Wine Lounge

If I opened your refrigerator right now, what would I find?  Too many condiments and junk food, veggies, and possibly my car keys.

What is your favorite genre of books?  I have several... history, science fiction, writings of Shakespeare, and costuming reference books.

What is your proudest Bellydance moment?  Being asked to join Dayanisma.

The newest Dayanisma members: Teresa, Sharon, and Karen

What is your best advice to student dancers?  Don't get frustrated. I know, easier said than done. However, rather than becoming frustrated with a move, make mastering that move your focus. Study it, ask people to help you with it, have your instructor break it down for you. Being frustrated will only take the joy out of what you're doing.

What is something most people don’t know about you?  I've always wanted to work in costuming for the film industry.

Thanks Sharon!!!

Interview with a Bellydancer: Johnji (John Collins)

Thanks to Johnji (John Collins) who dances with LotusFire in Springfield, IL for agreeing to do an interview for the "Interview with a Bellydancer" series.

I met Johnji during the ATS ® with Props DVD tour when Dawn, Terri and Beth were in Springfield, IL.  He is a very skilled and beautiful dancer.  He also taught me a valuable lesson about how to be a good workshop participant.  Since I sometimes help Dawn and Terri teach, I have experienced what it is like to have blank faces staring at you.  It is hard not to wonder if people like what you are doing. Sometimes "concentration face" looks like "mad face".  Johnji spent the entire workshop smiling, "yip"ing, and just pouring out positive energy.   I decided I am going to strive to be that person who lets the teacher know how much fun I am having!  So thanks, Johnji!  What a great lesson for all of us!

Johnji and Terri Woodliff 

Where are you from?  Jacksonville, IL

What is your proudest belly dance moment?  The first time I ever did a solo. Pridefest 2014 in Springfield, IL and I dance tribal fusion and did ATS ® swords with my troupe.

Johnji

What is your proudest non-belly dance moment?  After I lost 100lbs from exercise and dieting. I grew up a big kid in a big family and I've been living a healthy lifestyle ever since.

What is the last gift you gave?  After finding out I have a metal allergy, I bagged up all my dance jewelry and gave pieces to my dance sisters.

Johnji at the ATS ® with Baskets workshop that Dawn taught in April 2015

What is your best advice to student dancers?  Never give up, practice everyday, and smile no matter what happens.

What people don't know about me? I'm a perfectionist and won't let go of a dance move until I've done the best I can.

Thanks Johnji!!!

Interview with a Bellydancer: Patti Beaman

Thanks to Patti Beaman of Dayanisma and Blue Moon Dance Company for agreeing to participate in our "Interview with a Bellydancer" series!

From Lisa:  Patti is in Dayanisma with me and owns World in Motion Dance (WIM).  She opened WIM to create a space for the local bellydance community to come together for learning dance, sharing knowledge, supporting each other and having fun.  Her generosity of spirit and action is well known to her troupe members and our dance community.  She is a wonderful friend and an inspiration to us all.  We love you!!!

City and State: Cary, NC

Anything you want included about family, non-Bellydance job, other interests:

My family is all involved in dance: both of my daughters (Sara and Emily Beaman) are performers and instructors, and my husband (Brian Beaman)is a musician and a member of a local Middle Eastern band (The Lost Nomads). I don’t really have a non-bellydance job in that I own  World In Motion Dance, Movement & MusicCenter where I teach and which is Dayanisma’s home studio. My other interests include reading, walking, baking, cooking, word games and puzzles,  learning how to play doumbek, cuddling with my dog, Rosie,  and spending as much time as possible with my new grandson, Davy.

Patti and Davy

Interview Questions: Choose 5 (or more J) Couldn’t decide which ones to answer so I did them all ;-)

If you had superpowers, what would they be?

The ability to heal physical, mental and emotional conditions and injuries.

If I opened your refrigerator right now, what would I find?

Lots of fruit and veggies; lemonade; eggs; cupcakes (left over from my dog Rosie’s birthday!); goat’s milk yogurt, orange juice; condiments; lactaid milk; and various and sundry left overs. (Hmm, maybe I should go check to which of those leftovers are still edible!)

What is your favorite genre of books? 

That is so hard to pin down! Historical fiction, biography, fantasy, science fiction, non-fiction- I love them all. My favorite type of book is one from which I learn something new or something I want to investigate further.

Patti spinning at Down East Bellydance and Drum Festival 2014

If you were in a horror movie, what would be chasing you? 

Hmm, another tough question. I am not a horror movie fan so I don’t really know the tropes very well.  Maybe an ultra-conservative, neo-Nazi , religious zealot, bigot who hates animals and wants our country to become a theocracy?

What is your proudest Bellydance moment?

The grand opening of World In Motion.

What is your proudest non-Bellydance moment?

Whenever my children exhibit love, compassion, acceptance, and the courage to stand up for what they believe in.

What is the last gift you gave someone?

 I gave my daughter a gift certificate for a massage.

Classic, modern, or movement dialect and why?

I love them all- must I choose? If so, then I would say Dawn Ruckert’s movement dialect with baskets because it incorporates all 3 styles.

Channeling Elvis at TribalCon 2014

What is your best advice to student dancers?

Practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. Be gentle with yourself, especially at first. Don’t compare yourself to other students, your teacher or your belly dance idol- every body is different, every mind learns differently, everyone processes things at a different pace- it is not a competition or a race. Take classes from different teachers in different genres inside and outside of belly dance, and cross-train to increase strength and flexibility. Most importantly, have fun and dance with joy!

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I was present at an exorcism once.  A genuine, honest-to-goodness exorcism.  Really disturbing, scary, weird and fascinating all at the same time.

Thanks Patti!