Dancers
Kay (FCBD® General Skills, Teacher Trained, Sister Studio and SSCE)
Dancing since 2001 and studying FatChance®Style (formerly ATS®) since 2004, with my tribal journey venturing into the Gypsy Caravan format, I first studied with Paulette Rees-Denis, founder of Global Caravan where I gained Gypsy Caravan Collective Soul Levels 1 and 2, and then studied with Carolena Nericcio, founder of FatChanceBellyDance® where I gained my FCBD® General Skills Certification and also my Teacher Training Certificate in Sweden, then was honoured at becoming a FCBD® Sister Studio. I studied in the annual FCBD® SSCE programme for some years and now take regular online classes at FCBD® University, as well as taking any opportunity to study at workshops in person. In 2016 I travelled to San Francisco with other Ashnah members to visit the 'mother-ship' and studied with all the FCBD® troupe teachers and Carolena at Homecoming.
Along with Rita and Philippa, we’re the original founders of Ashnah, formed in 2008, where I've taught and directed all the past and present troupe members, and as well as teaching in Abingdon, I now also teach classes Swindon.
I've always had a love of art & craft and am often found making costumes for the group and other dancers or crocheting mini-me dolls (check out Little Sewing Projects page), and having had a fascination with IT for years, I'm the Ashnah webmaster and also create websites for other people. If I'm not found at my sewing machine or computer, I'm doing yoga, at the gym, taking ballet class or cycling.
See full Resume here
Dancing since 2001 and studying FatChance®Style (formerly ATS®) since 2004, with my tribal journey venturing into the Gypsy Caravan format, I first studied with Paulette Rees-Denis, founder of Global Caravan where I gained Gypsy Caravan Collective Soul Levels 1 and 2, and then studied with Carolena Nericcio, founder of FatChanceBellyDance® where I gained my FCBD® General Skills Certification and also my Teacher Training Certificate in Sweden, then was honoured at becoming a FCBD® Sister Studio. I studied in the annual FCBD® SSCE programme for some years and now take regular online classes at FCBD® University, as well as taking any opportunity to study at workshops in person. In 2016 I travelled to San Francisco with other Ashnah members to visit the 'mother-ship' and studied with all the FCBD® troupe teachers and Carolena at Homecoming.
Along with Rita and Philippa, we’re the original founders of Ashnah, formed in 2008, where I've taught and directed all the past and present troupe members, and as well as teaching in Abingdon, I now also teach classes Swindon.
I've always had a love of art & craft and am often found making costumes for the group and other dancers or crocheting mini-me dolls (check out Little Sewing Projects page), and having had a fascination with IT for years, I'm the Ashnah webmaster and also create websites for other people. If I'm not found at my sewing machine or computer, I'm doing yoga, at the gym, taking ballet class or cycling.
See full Resume here
Rita (FCBD® General Skills, Teacher Trained, Sister Studio and SSCE)
I started bellydancing quite by chance in 2002 at Abingdon Dance Studios, where I was taught by Liz Selleck. It's there I met Kay and Philippa with whom I went on to start up what has now become Ashnah. Middle Eastern dancing has been a true revelation to me and I haven't looked back since, immersing myself in all its aspects, and totally loving it.
For the past few years, and guided by my teacher and troupe member Kay White, I've gently been won over to FatChance®Style (FCBD®). I've been focussing on it, forever striving towards my own dance goals, and in 2014 achieved FCBD® certificates in General Skills for Classic and Modern, as well as Teacher Training, presented to me by Carolena Nericcio, and following the training I was honoured at becoming a FCBD® Sister Studio. The group's challenges include organising classes and workshops, even attend African drum classes which we use in live performances!
In both dance arts, my gratitude goes out to all the mentors I've encountered and am yet to meet.
See full Resume here
I started bellydancing quite by chance in 2002 at Abingdon Dance Studios, where I was taught by Liz Selleck. It's there I met Kay and Philippa with whom I went on to start up what has now become Ashnah. Middle Eastern dancing has been a true revelation to me and I haven't looked back since, immersing myself in all its aspects, and totally loving it.
For the past few years, and guided by my teacher and troupe member Kay White, I've gently been won over to FatChance®Style (FCBD®). I've been focussing on it, forever striving towards my own dance goals, and in 2014 achieved FCBD® certificates in General Skills for Classic and Modern, as well as Teacher Training, presented to me by Carolena Nericcio, and following the training I was honoured at becoming a FCBD® Sister Studio. The group's challenges include organising classes and workshops, even attend African drum classes which we use in live performances!
In both dance arts, my gratitude goes out to all the mentors I've encountered and am yet to meet.
See full Resume here
Philippa (FCBD® General Skills)
I've always loved dancing, being besotted with ballet as a child but giving it up when it became too 'uncool!' I first started Middle Eastern dancing with Tina Hobin and thought it may be fun for a 10 week course.
That was 17 years ago!!!
I then took classes with Liz Selleck at Abingdon Dance Studios where we performed as Eshta. We were some of the first people in the UK to take IDTA bellydance exams ... (my first trophy says Freestyle). It was here that I met Kay and Rita, and many years later we decided to go our own way. This has been the best fun and has allowed us to expand our style, and in 2014 I achieved my FCBD® General Skills certificates in Classic and Modern ATS® from Carolena Nericcio.
I love Latin rhythms and studied salsa for several years going to many different classes and also to Cuba to learn more, and I also dance flamenco with Camino del Flamenco. I'm a little in love with the music and dance from Africa, and started playing djembe a few years ago. African dance? Maybe next......
See full resume here
I've always loved dancing, being besotted with ballet as a child but giving it up when it became too 'uncool!' I first started Middle Eastern dancing with Tina Hobin and thought it may be fun for a 10 week course.
That was 17 years ago!!!
I then took classes with Liz Selleck at Abingdon Dance Studios where we performed as Eshta. We were some of the first people in the UK to take IDTA bellydance exams ... (my first trophy says Freestyle). It was here that I met Kay and Rita, and many years later we decided to go our own way. This has been the best fun and has allowed us to expand our style, and in 2014 I achieved my FCBD® General Skills certificates in Classic and Modern ATS® from Carolena Nericcio.
I love Latin rhythms and studied salsa for several years going to many different classes and also to Cuba to learn more, and I also dance flamenco with Camino del Flamenco. I'm a little in love with the music and dance from Africa, and started playing djembe a few years ago. African dance? Maybe next......
See full resume here
Previous members
Over the years we've shared our dance floor with many dancers who've given us so much fun and laughter. Now having moved on to other projects, we wish them all our love wherever their dancing feet take them xxx
Esme
Cat
Ariel
Janet
Jen B
Hannah
Agne
Jen E
Diane
Lorraine
Hilal
Cat
Ariel
Janet
Jen B
Hannah
Agne
Jen E
Diane
Lorraine
Hilal
