Anasma  Anasma is Performance Arts Dancer, Teacher, and Choreographer currently based in New York City and Paris. Drawing from her crossed-training in Bellydance and other forms (Hip Hop, Acting, Miming, Gymnastics, Yoga, Salsa, Wushu, Flamenco, Modern Jazz, Contemporary Simonson technique, African...), Anasma focuses on making Dance meaningful and touching through storytelling , character development and movement. To her, dance is an expression of the self and of the soul that enables each dancer, may they be new to it or professional, to share their deepest emotions and to be in the Now.
Half Tunisian and Vietnamese brought up in Paris, France, Anasma was naturally drawn to mixing art forms to express who she is through performance and teaching. Thus her World Dance fusions (Hip Hop Bellydance Liquid fusion, Wushu bellydance, Salsa bellydance…) are a mix between the ethnic and the urban components of her personal background and her present life.
Since 1997, Anasma has performed and taught in dance festivals, prestigious theaters, TV shows, concerts, and toured many times in Europe, North America and Asia. From 2006 to 2009, Anasma worked with the respected company Bellyqueen as one of their principal dancers. Anasma is featured in the following performance DVDs: "Bellydance Experience", "Bellydance NYC: the Ultimate Fusion Experience", "Fantasy Bellydance"and "Fantasy Bellydance: Tarot" as well as in two instructional DVDs: "Bellydance Hip Hop Liquid Fusion"and "Wave Explosion" with Future. She sings alongside Pete List in the album "Songs for Kassar". She is the co-director of the New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference with Ranya Renee and has co-produced the interactive dance show “On your Marks, Get Set, Dance!”. Learn more about Anasma on www.anasmadance.com
Photo by Joe Marquez
Ai Ikeda
 Ai Ikeda is a native of Tokyo, Japan, where she began her ballet training at the age of 6. Since moving to New York, she has performed with professional dance company such as eDance, in Yangtze Repertory Theatre of America and the Lower East Side Festival; Peggy Choy in "Gateless Gate" at Wisconsin Union Theater, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Taiko Masala in "Capture The Culture An Asian Experienece" at The MANN Theater, PA, Public Outdoor Music Festival in Hamilton, NY, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Cherry Blossom Festival, Flesh Meadow Out door Stage, "First Night" at Westport Town Hall, Weston, Burlington Country Amphitheatre, NJ, the Widow Jane Mine Rosendale, NY; Blue Muse Dance in Dancenow/NYC at Joyce soho,
the International Festival"Global Dance Today", the Blue Muse project vol3 at Riverside Church and Downtown Dance Festival at Historic Battery Park ; and Nina Buisson Contemporary Move in The Elan Awards at FIT and "Best of...." at The Kaye Playhouse. She is learning Wu Shu (Chinese Contemporary Martial Arts) extensively and has worked with Big Red Media Inc. in Deadly shewolf at Japan Society and Mandell Theater, PA. She has also worked with Spinnin Ronin Martial Arts Theater as a principal performer since 2005 and performed at La Ma Ma Annex Theater, Joe's pub, St. Marks Church, Alvin Ailey Theater, SOB's, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Cherry Blossom Festival, Historic Battery Park Downtown Dance Festival, Flushing Town Hall, Fordham University, Burlington Country's Annual Arts Festival, NJ and in "David Bllaine Special" ABC TV.
Lena Marti aka (Fuego)
 Lena Marti aka (Fuego) has been dancing since age 5 while dancing to “Pump Up the Jam” at her sister’s sweet sixteen. She has studied jazz, tap, hip hop, bellydancing, flamenco, house and break dancing. Lena has performed in various music videos as both a dancer and model. She was also part of a professional belly dance company and performed as part of its North American Anniversary Tour.. Lena has performed as a back up dancer for a noted "house" performer and has danced in many clubs in New York. Recently Lena was chosen to model for Nigel Barker for his 2010 beauty book “The Beauty Equation”. Lena also continues her successful career as a personal trainer while continuing to work as an energetic and entertaining professional dancer based inNew York City. www.lenamarti.com
Linda Faoro
 From an early age, Linda Faoro trained in ballet, jazz , music and comedy. She passed her State Dance Diploma in jazz and started very young to teach and choreograph in her own style: Jazz New School . Meanwhile, she kept training in other styles - hip-hop, african dance, bellydancing - to widen her range of action, and subsequently worked with many renowned companies as well as in many TV shows.
In 2003, she created the troup "Les Muses", a result of her research and maturity in bellydance.
Since 2004, she goes regularly to Lebanon to choreograph major TV shows. This allows her to express both her western and oriental sides.
In 2008, Linda Faoro creates the troup "L'Espèce Urbaine"(« Urbankind ») and performs « Ma Maison ne ressemble pas à celle de ma Mère... » (« My house looks nothing like my mother's... » ): a dance - drama solo in which she shares with audiences her background as a multicultural woman and artist...
In 2009, Linda Faoro takes part in the 1st BellyFusions Festival in Paris, France, an occasion to meet other international artists of the Fusion Scene. There she teams up with Anasma and then in 2010 with Amy Sigil of Unmata. Both urge her to export her style to the US.
Resolutely different, Linda Faoro sees herself as an expression of the urban society she lives in, diverse and pluricultural.
International choreographer for both entertainment and cultural events, she also teaches in several professional dance schools. www.myspace.com/lindafaoro
Marcelo Tessari and the DeRose Method instructors (NYC)
 DeROSE Method is an ancient philosophy that is practiced through a vast repertory of body movements that are harmoniously synchronized. The sequence of beautiful movements allow for a perfect choreography of the human body. Marcelo Tessari and the DeROSE Method instructors are certified to perform this form of art internationally. The instructors have been performing in different venues, events and Festivals in Brazil and United States. The choreographies from this method are able to express this powerful philosophy trough a rich combination of movements and hand gestures. The Group of instructor teaches private and group classes at DeROSE Method Studio in SoHo including choreography training sessions.
Instructors:
Marcelo Tessari
Camila Barcelos
Letícia Braga
Juliana Varaschin
Luiz Jacob
www.derosemethod.us
Mike Supreme and Krazypop (NYC)
 Shuaib "KrazyPop" Grant is a performing improv artist (physical comedy, improv, pantomiming (popping, waving, robot, etc) choreographer, theater artist, and sketch comedy writer. Shuaib Grant combines story, theatrics, improv physical movement, drama, comedy, mime and imagination when performing & creating a show. He has performed in shows with artist such as "Busta Rhymes" (2000),and appeared on BET's "106 & Park" (2002) Large College shows NYU Campus (2002), "Chris Rock's "Down to Earth" with the group "(Descendants Of Amadeus)" aka "Komedy Poppers”, In which this group creates a show that is full of theatrical immersion, that interacts and enthralls the audience with improv, music ans dance. Highly influenced by Michael Jackson, Shuaib Grant also performs as a "King Of Pop" impersonator, recreating legendary Micheal Jackson's stylish moves for a great show. Shuaib Grant also has performed in several shows & Tributes at the infamous "Times Square Arts Theater" (Formerly the Laugh Factory 2008) "The Barry White Tribute" & "The Poet and The Rapper" interpreting with improv to lyrics. Performing Fascinated with robotic movement UEP (The Urban Expression Project) has collaborated with Shuaib Grant and put out the worlds largest robotic DVD learning collection ever! This DVD collection can be found online at "thehypno.com", "Amazon.com", "Target.com", and also "Boarderstores.com". Graduated with a degree in Performing Arts, Shuaib Grant currently devotes his time to children in after school Programs, teaching improv, dance, and mentoring our youth.
 Michael “Mike Supreme” Fields is a performing artist and a teacher. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Specializing in hitting, animation, waving and isolations, he combines storytelling and comedy elements with his dancing. He is a member of Hip-Hop Connections, a group that brings educational performances to schools in and around the tri-state area. He has worked with artists such as Chaka Khan and Busta Rhymes. Mike Supreme had performed at venues such as BAM, Brooklyn Museum, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Galapagos Art Space, Hip-Hop Theater Festival, Dance Theatre Workshop and more. He is currently a core member and faculty at Brooklyn Ballet. Please e-mail changequalsculture@gmail.com for any inquiries.
Nobuya (NYC/Tokyo)
 Nobuya has 12 years of performance / choreography experience in Lockin’ Vougin', Wackin', Hip Hop
Funk Jazz, Poppin', House style of dance both in Japan and the U.S with over 3 years of experience in Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical Jazz, Modern and Tap.
He participated in TV shows including So You Think You Can Dance season 5 (FOX) and
The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon (MDA) and was featured in renowned newspapers including The New York Times
He received numerous dance competition awards. He has been teaching
Hip Hop/ Free style for 2 years including in renown schools such as Peridance School.
Sandralis Gines
 A professional bellydancer from the enchanted island of Puerto Rico, Sandralis has over 10 years of diverse dance experience and training, which includes Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Improvisation, African, African-Caribbean, Salsa, and Merengue. Sandralis ' dance experience is versatile and her dynamic performances have captivated an array of audiences in the thriving travel and tourism industry throughout Puerto Rico. Beyond her extensive experience as a performer, Sandralis ' is also a highly regarded, charismatic and dedicated instructor who has taught with several dance companies in Puerto Rico including Oriental Dancers, Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico and Hincapie. Sandralis has also developed and taught numerous classes and workshops through a wide range of school- and community-based dance programs in Puerto Rico and later Western New York, where she moved to pursue graduate studies in Modern Dance in 2004. Sandralis has been the recipients of several recognitions for her bellydance performances including First Runner Up and Troupe of the Year in the 2001 Bellydancer of the Year Pageant. Sandralis has danced as a principal dancer of Bellyqueen, a professional world dance company based in New York City, since 2006. She has completed Tamalyn Dallal's Teacher Training and was one of the winning contestants selected by Jillina to perform with Bellydance Evolution in New York in January 2010. She also heads up the recently formed advanced beginner troupe, Fire Blossoms. www.sandralis.com
Richmond Shepard
 RICHMOND SHEPARD started America’s first ensemble Mime troupe. He was trained by Alvin Epstein and Etienne Decroux, and has performed on over 100 television shows as a Mime or an actor. Summer of ’01 he appeared in Jakarta, creating an Indonesian Mime Troupe, and in 2002 he created and performed with Mime troupes in Los Angeles and in New York (Soho Playhouse). In 2003 he did “Standup Mime” in cabarets in Berlin. 2009 he did his Standup Mime for a 4 week run in New York. From 2003 to '08 he conducted workshops in Mime and in Improvised Comedy at “The Playhouse” in Derry, Ireland. 2009 he appeared in an International Cultural Festival in Shanghai, China, and August, 2010, at a Mime Festival in Armenia. Richmond currently teaches Mime at his theatre in New York. www.richmondshepard.com
Vanessa ‘Neva’ Verdo
 Vanessa ‘Neva’ Verdo , a world mover, dancer, educator, performer, writer and film maker moved from Belgium to the United States at seventeen to pursue her path. Vanessa Neva has trained with Aisha Ali, Temra-Henna, Jillina, Kaeshi Chai and Amar Gamal to name a few. Since, she has performed Bellydance internationally with Layla and the Lotus Dancers, Bohemia Dance, Worldancearound, Jillina and the Sahlala dancers, and Bellyqueen. In 2007, Vanessa 'Neva' taught in Amman, Jordan for three months. During her stay, she traveled through the Middle East and studied with Raqia Hassan in Cairo, Egypt. As the artistic director of Worldancearound Productions, Vanessa has produced shows such as Rhythm and Feel and Battle for the Belts in Los Angeles and New York where some of her students have had the opportunity to perform. Vanessa’s belief that life happens through human connections and experiences by never stopping connecting the dots, allows her life to revolve around dancing; dancing internally and externally. www.worldancearound.com
Willow Chang
 Willow Chang is trained in voice, dance, music, costume design and visuals arts. She started dance early, studying hula for 10 years with Kumu Alicia Smith, and later performed in Egypt in a Hawaiian Show (1994). Upon returning to Hawai‘i, she studied with her first belly dance teacher, Glo Ayson. Willow holds a BA in Dance, with a minor in music, (UH, ’02) and has studied Classical Indian dance, Balinese, Flamenco, Tango, Ballet and Modern dance. For the past 16 years, she has focused on Middle Eastern dance and is recognized for her emotive, innovative and elegant performances Annually, she travels to study and perform with master teachers and is recognized as Hawai‘i’s premier Middle Eastern Dance artist. www.willowchang.com
Emcee: Tandava
 Tandava has appeared on and around NYC stages as an actor, director, writer and stand-up comic. She took up bellydancing to recover from a serious back injury and fell in love with it. She is thrilled to be your emcee this evening! Thank you Anasma, for producing yet another fabulous event! And, as always, love to her mom and dad.
tandavadance.blogspot.com
Stage manager: Kai-Ti Kao . |
