Dancer Biographies
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Laura
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Laura is troupe leader, chief choreographer and
artistic director of Sarasvati Tribal, a troupe of 4 dancers from across
Scotland.
Bellydancing since 2000, Laura’s first experience of the dance form was a Modern
Egyptian Beginners workshop with Lorna of Cairo. Laura was immediately struck by
the grace, elegance and beauty of bellydance, and went on to study with as many
local, national and international teachers as possible, going on to become a
regular performer in local haflas across Scotland, as well as in various
restaurants and for private bookings.
In 2003, after substituting for her regular teacher on a few occasions, Laura
started her teaching career, passing on the knowledge she had collected from
classes, workshops, residential weekends and personal research, building up to
become one of the most respected teachers in the west of Scotland.
Laura’s love of Tribal Fusion was sparked in 2004 when she witnessed a live
performance from the Bellydance Superstars’ first UK tour, featuring The Indigo
Bellydance Company. Laura was entranced by the precision, presence and posture
of Tribal Fusion, and ever since has studied the discipline intently. Luckily
for Laura, Deridre Macdonald, a Gypsy Caravan trained teacher, started regular
ATS classes locally early in 2005, and this, combined with workshops with Wendy
Marlatt of Rashani International (FCBD trained) and self-study, drove Laura on
to focussing exclusively on Tribal Fusion style.
In 2005, Laura founded Sarasvati Tribal, along with another local dancer, Ali
Kilgour. Alison is still very much a core member of Sarasvati Tribal; the line
up of the troupe having evolved over the past 4 years to the current membership
today of Ali, Stef Scott and Tigerlily.
Shortly after founding the troupe, Laura began teaching Tribal Fusion workshops
at various locations across Scotland, quickly developing a reputation as one of
the best teachers in the UK in the style. Laura’s workshops and classes are
known for their hard work, for sharing insights, history and knowledge of the
style, as well as for their fun and laughter!
Laura finds her inspiration from many sources, drawing not just from the work of
the well-known Tribal Fusion dancers of today, but also looking to her roots in
Modern Egyptian and back to the old stars of Egyptian belly dance. Laura’s
eclectic style, power and love of the quirky and unexpected drives her and her
troupe, Sarasvati Tribal, onwards and ever upwards!