A Brazilian native, Luciana started early after being allowed to partake of dancing in her father’s disco club. She has taken several trips back to Brazil over the years to study with some of the best teachers to keep herself and her students updated on the latest trends of Samba. She has taught and performed in CO for over 12 years bringing authenticity and tutoring for local dancers. She has performed internationally in Prague, Berlin, Portugal, Brazil and lately in Mexico. Her experience with carnival in Brazil includes parading in the Rio de Janeiro with Mangueira Samba School, União da Ilha do Governador (in the passista ala) and Unidos de Belford Roxo in 2015 and 2019.
She is a Samba and Forró (partner dance) teacher at the International Samba Congress, the biggest Samba Congress in the world and offers online Samba classes. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to move your body elegantly, powerfully and gracefully.
Julia Di Verdi has been teaching and performing for over 20 years in Northern Colorado and across the nation. She owns an alternative dance studio in Fort Colllins, Starlight Studio, and directs the Cupcake Cabaret Burlesque Revue, and Sumatra Belly Dance. When Julia is not dancing she enjoys modeling and painting her face!
Caitlin first had an opportunity to study Indian folk and classical dance while studying in Chennai, India (in the southern end of Tami Nadu) during the fall of 2001. Upon her return to the States, she sought out Indian dance mentors and became a performing member and instructor for Bollywood West Company under the tutelage of Rena Gupta from 2008-2011 before opening her own studio Bella Diva World Dance in 2011. Caitlin has a BFA in Musical Theatre and Dance from the University of Colorado Boulder and holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs & Intercultural Communication from the University of Denver in addition to running Bella Diva, Caitlin is an Adjunct Professor on faculty at the Denver’s Theatre Department and Lamont School of Music, instructing World Dance and Dynamic Movement.
I’m Allie Valtakis! I love moving bodies! There is nothing more important to me than helping clients and students feel good in their bodies. I use gentle movement pathways and exercises to help even the most timid beginner feel safe and successful when moving. I know what it’s like being that timid beginner. I came from a life-long background of sedentary hobbies. It wasn’t until I found belly dance that I became inspired by movement. Because I wasn’t shown the gentle, safe ways my body needed to move, I wound up injured and in pain. Now I specialize in helping folks rehab and prehab their pain so they can get back to moving in all the ways we love! Certified by NASM, Level 1 Dance Therapeutics, Integrated Dance, and in Movement Therapy. I’ve been belly dancing for 14 years and been a personal trainer for three years.
Jessey Smithwick is a certified Wellness Coach and Holistic Health Practitioner who specializes in women’s emotional and spiritual wellness. She’s also a belly dancer, kickboxing trainer, and fitness instructor and takes every opportunity possible to be in nature. When she’s not connecting with other amazing women, you can find her hanging with her son!
Jennifer began her tribal belly dance training in San Francisco in 1989 with world famous American Tribal Style (aka ATS or FCBDStyle®) founder Carolena Nericcio, director of FatChanceBellyDance®. She was immediately impressed by the presence and poise of the instructor and by the powerful organic feel of the dance. To this day Jennifer remains a loyal student of Carolena’s and still enjoys studying with her when in the Bay Area. In addition to ATS dance form, Jennifer spent several years training and performing classical belly dance styles. She draws on this experience to help guide belly dancers from other styles (classical Egyptian, American Caberet, Persian, Tunisian, & Turkish) to quickly and easily distinguish the nuances and inflections that are so important to creating the distinct look of ATS/FCBDStyle®. Jennifer is known for her long-term experience with ATS as well as her strong movement technique, focused arm work, isolations, creating dynamic movement dialect & performance sets. She is often praised as a passionate teacher who strives to help each student, she works with reach their fullest potential!
Mesmera’s Lifetime Achievement Award honors 40 years of professional success as a dynamic performer and gifted instructor who passionately share her expertise and love of dance. After 5,000 Livewires Bellygrams to warm-up, she began booking Hollywood event and private parties. Her mesmerizing Classic Arabic style, fiery Zambra Mesmera Fusion and Snake Dance won her many Film/TV credit, along with articles in “Time” Magazine, “In Style” and “L.A Weekly’s Best of L.A.” An esteemed 25 year BDUG Judge, Master Teacher Mesmera’s keen eye for refinement has coached Celebrities and mentored rising Stars and Superstars. She’s provided a solid foundation for students, generated dozens of teachers and inspired countless performers. Producing Award-winning Videos, Live Music Events in Los Angeles, Fab Friday Dar Maghreg Dinner Showcases where she reigned for 30 years, plus decades of Drum Circles, sponsoring Seminars and directing her Troupes, has made her a Legend. Mesmera’s classes on Zoom are a fulfilling way to stay connected through the current health challenges for safety and make the distance vanish! “Freedom of Movement is a Birthright: Let’s Dance! Mesmera
Christine M. Torrez, Owner and Chief Instructor of Quest Academy of Martial Arts, Fort Collins, CO
5th Degree Black Bel Aiki Jujitsu
4th Degree Alemany Kempo Karate
1st Degree Black Belt American Kenpo
Tim Torrez, Head Instructor and Co-Owner of Quest Academy of Martial Arts, Fort Collins, CO
5th Degree Black Belt Aiki Jijitsu
3rd Degree Alemany Kempo Karate
1st Degree Black Belt American Kenpo
Mesmera’s Lifetime Achievement Award honors 40 years of professional success as a dynamic performer and gifted instructor who passionately share her expertise and love of dance. After 5,000 Livewires Bellygrams to warm-up, she began booking Hollywood event and private parties. Her mesmerizing Classic Arabic style, fiery Zambra Mesmera Fusion and Snake Dance won her many Film/TV credit, along with articles in “Time” Magazine, “In Style” and “L.A Weekly’s Best of L.A.” An esteemed 25 year BDUG Judge, Master Teacher Mesmera’s keen eye for refinement has coached Celebrities and mentored rising Stars and Superstars. She’s provided a solid foundation for students, generated dozens of teachers and inspired countless performers. Producing Award-winning Videos, Live Music Events in Los Angeles, Fab Friday Dar Maghreg Dinner Showcases where she reigned for 30 years, plus decades of Drum Circles, sponsoring Seminars and directing her Troupes, has made her a Legend. Mesmera’s classes on Zoom are a fulfilling way to stay connected through the current health challenges for safety and make the distance vanish! “Freedom of Movement is a Birthright: Let’s Dance! Mesmera