Hi all. I haven't met you yet, but I'd like to take a second to introduce myself. My name is Amy and I just moved to New Orleans on Jan. 1st to take a job with the federal courts. I recently moved from San Diego where I was teaching an ATS beginning and advanced class for over four years.

I originally learned belly dance from two middle eastern ladies while in law school. Tala was from Jordan and Reem was from Bahrain. They were wonderful teachers and got me started on my path. After gradutation, I went to Arizona to go to library school and while there I studied cabaret style and joined a troupe. I moved to San Diego for a job and helped found an ATS troupe called Shuvani. I went out on my own about four years ago to teach ATS and have been teaching and having fun ever since!

I have attended several classes, workshops, and seminars with Paulette-Rees Denis of Gypsy Caravan, Kajira of Blacksheep Belly Dance, Urban Gypsy of Houston, and various other wonderful people. Their influences are in my dance and I incorporate various other traditions plus original moves and modifications.

So, now here is where NOLA comes in. Krys has invited me to begin teaching American Tribal Style (ATS) classes at her studio at DKT Studio, 8530 Oak Street. It will be on Thursday nights from 6-7 p.m. We are going to do a six week class to start, Feb. 2nd - Mar. 9th.

The cost is $15 to drop-in or $75 whole series ($12.50 per class).

This class will be small and intimate so I can get to know everyone and they can get to know me, so I am limiting it to 8-10 students. I will teach basic ATS belly dance moves along with cues and transitions.

If you are interested in attending, please let me know! Thanks and Dance On!

Amy (a.k.a. Shirin)