The Quick Look: Based now in Rhode Island (as of Summer 2009), Tempest pulls from her visual arts background (BFA from RISD), literary tendencies, and global inspirations to create dance that crosses the boundaries of time and culture. Tempest began her journey into dance in 2000, and has traveled the country to study traditional, folkloric, and fusion forms of bellydance. She is the premiere instructor of Gothic Bellydance in North America, and her extensive work in the genre has helped to define and develop the movement across the world. Her compelling performances exemplify her distinctively theatrical and expressive style, and are rooted in oriental dance technique with a transcendent approach. Her costume designs have revolutionized the look of modern bellydance, and continue to inspire new and old generations of dancers alike.

The Long Version: "Gothic Oriental"
Tempest is the most recognized name associated with the art of Gothic Bellydance in North America and across the world. Her dance style is uniquely hers -creative, theatrical, full of expression - reaching forward to define the future of the dance, while being firmly rooted in traditional forms of bellydance. She brings her dynamic interpretation of the dance to her workshops with a sense of fun, a strong foundation in traditional technique, and a deep-hearted goal to aid students in developing their own sense of self within the dance.

As of 2010, Tempest has taught over 150 workshops on Gothic Bellydance and Ritual/Sacred Dance across the nation and in Europe, and actively travels each month teaching and performing. She has organized three nationwide tours (The Durga Tour in 2006 and 2009, and Movin'Th'Mischief Tour in 2007) with a third planned for 2009. She is also co-producer of the largest festival devoted Gothic Bellydance in North America - Gothla US, and is the founder and primary author of The Gothic Bellydance Resource, which tracks the progress of the movement as it develops worldwide.

Tempest's study of belly dance began officially with Sabra Jamal of Providence, Rhode Island, and then studied extensively with Azar of Mystic Sun Studios in California. Since then, she has studied extensively many forms of traditional bellydance - from Turkish Oriental, Romani, Classic & Modern Egyptian, American Cabaret, Folkloric & Trance dances of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Some of the masters of the dance she has taken workshops and classes with include Dalia Carella, Artemis E. Mourat, Lee Ali, Amel Tafsout, Princess Farhana, Alexandra King, Judeen, Malia de Felice, and Kajira Djoumahna. In addition, she has learned various styles of Classical Indian Dance from Sarada (CA & Canada), and still actively studies folkloric, traditional, and some fusion forms of bellydance. While many others in the Gothic genre work and teach from a Tribal/Tribal fusion base, she distinctly blends the Gothic culture with the more traditional & folkloric forms of bellydance, earning her style the appropros description of "Gothic Oriental."

She finds inspiration for her dances in many eras, places, and faces, from ancient cultures and spiritual myths worldwide, to the work of silent film star and original vamp Theda Bara, and turn-of-the-century dance goddess Ruth St. Denis. She is particularly well-known for her Nouveau Noir Dance performances - which transport the audience back in time to the early 20th Century, and sacred-fusion, ritualistic forms of belly dance. Her devotion to art, creativity and innovation in dance marks her as a stand-out, must-see performer who continues to evolve and set the bar for others in the Gothic Bellydance genre.

In addition to being a world-renowned dancer and instructor, Tempest is a professionally trained visual artist, receiving her BF in Printmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her artwork has received awards and honors worldwide. She is also very well-known for her unique costuming designs, including the original "corset belt" design, the "skorset", the "corset bra" and other designs. Her work can be found on dancers and other design aficionado across the world, from individuals to whole troupes and dance companies (including Ultra Gypsy, Urban Tribal, Frederique, Atash Maya, Sashi of Ascend Tribal, Asharah, Dalia Carella, Suhaila Salimpour, and many more).

Some Recent Notable Honors:

-Nominated for Zaghareet Magazine's Golden Belly Awards for "Best Interpretive Artist"

-Lead dancer in Tim Rayborn's esteemed theatrical stage show "The Flame & The Shadow" which toured Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2007.

-Featured solo dancer in Venus Uprising's shows "Bellydance Fantasy Concert" and "Cult of Myth" in NYC in 2007 & 2008.

Media Appearances:

-Featured on the first ever GBD performance DVD produced by WorldDanceNewYork entitled “Gothic Bellydance: The Darker Side of Fusion” (2006), and its sequel "Gothic Bellydance: Revelations" (2007).

-Her own instructional DVD geared towards the alternatively-minded entitled “Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks” produced by WorldDanceNewYork. (2006)

-Appears on Hollywood Music Center/Peko's "Bellydance Underworld." (2007)

-Featured in "Underbelly" - the movie documentary on Princess Farhana (2008)

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Tempest performs regularly at festivals and events throughout the United States and beyond. She teaches workshops all over, as well as holds weekly classes throughout Rhode Island. She is available for special events, and instructional workshops. Email her for more details.