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Dancer Biographies

Laura

 

 

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!

© Sarasvati Tribal 2009