I began dancing in January of 2002, taking classes with Gabrielle Deschaine at my local Y. She had
previously danced with Read My Hips, the wonderful Chicago tribal troupe directed by Stephanie Barto.

A superb dancer, Gabrielle inspired a legacy of tribal dance in the western suburbs.

I was a founding member of Gabrielle's Gypsy Queens, who still dance regularly at the Khyber Pass
restaurant in Oak Park, where I cut my own performing teeth. I began my teaching work at the old Grow in
Motion studio, for Gabrielle, later branching out to Triton College, finally joining the teaching staff at Intuit
Dance Studio, where I formed my first performance troupe.

I am the founder and artistic director of three dance units: Smoke Tribal Bellydance; Gulbahar, the student
troupe based at Triton College; and ruth+barbara bellydance (everyone should), a new venture set to
debut in February 2012.

Triton College hosts the Triton Tribal Bellydance Club, which organizes shows on the stage at the Collins
Center on campus. I am the club's faculty advisor.

Along the way I took training with Rachel Brice, and workshops with Zoe Jakes, Kajira Djoumahna, Kerensa
Demars, Artemis Mourat and Wendy Clinard. I've had numerous workshops and trainings with
FatChanceBellyDance®, our 'home office'; I currently hold all available certifications in their format. This
does not mean I know it all! It means I am wholly committed to being the best dancer I can possibly be, and
in working hard to accomplish that goal.

I am especially fortunate to be able to call on Carolena Nericcio, founder of American Tribal Style®, as my
mentor. I was accepted as a Fat Chance Sister Studio in 2009, committing to Carolena's vision of
showcasing the power, beauty, and strength of women through American Tribal Style® bellydance.

I have sometimes jokingly referred to myself as "The Apostle of Bellydance". This is actually not a joke; I
believe in the life-affirming quality of this dance, and have seen what it can do to change women's lives in
a positive way. It is work, but it is joyful work with multiple benefits. If you have been thinking about trying a
bellydance class, jump in- you won't be sorry.