Soluna Dance are based in Chelmsford, Essex. Our dance format is based on American Tribal Style® bellydance, with our own unique twist. We specialise in themed performances, ranging from woodland elves to vikings, elemental beings to steampunk pirates, depending on the event. We add to our performances by using props such as swords, parasols, and tambourines.
To meet the dancers, scroll on down the page!
For our Steampunk and gothic horror alter-egos come over to the Dark Side, Anakin.
For our fantasy and pagan style, go towards the Light, Carol-Ann*
*apologies to those under 40, to whom this reference will mean nothing!
Rogues Gallery
Hello one and all and welcome to the wonderful world of Soluna. Stay a while and learn all about the many cogs that make us a whole. Read on!
David
I found my theatrical and dancing feet at an early age. I literally fell out of my mothers womb, a month early I hasten to add, covered in glitter, makeup, feather boas and tap shoes. If I could have found a top hat and cane in there I’d have worn them too. I first arrived into the show-biz world (insert jazz hands here!) via my Grandmother and Mother who basically taught me to dance, sing, sew and craft and everything in between. I mainly sang in the early days, in school and church choirs, until one really sad day my voice broke - I was devastated and embarrassed all at the same time! It didn’t so much break, as shatter into a million pieces, leaving me with nothing. So I hung up my cassock and I put my ballroom shoes on and danced the Fandango every week instead. I did this for a number of years until I discover the movie Dirty Dancing. Then I danced like I’d never danced before; I joined a modern dance school and thoroughly enjoyed myself for a few years. I started work, as you do and stopped dancing. I started my theatrics when I was seventeen at our local theatre. I worked there in just about every department. The bar, the box office, backstage and cleaning. I discovered I loved acting too and got several walk-on roles - never speaking, unless you call screaming after getting your throat cut and shoved down a chute speaking. I worked in the costume department too, which I loved. Years later, and I mean years later, I discovered the dance style that is ATS® - American Tribal Style. It’s an eclectic mix of many dance styles, as well as original moves; mainly European but with a few extras. I love it, as it’s not one dedicated style it’s like everything has been put into a washing machine and tie dyed together to create something magical and unique. What I/we have done with Soluna is combine this beautiful dance form with a little Soluna sparkle and glitter plus a little bit of theatre, to create our bit of magic. Some call it panto? “Oh no it isn’t!” It’s purely magic, that’s all it is. I like to step out of line occasionally as the wobbly edges are far more fun,and I seem to have finally found like-minded nobs to play with. I was taught ATS® by a beautiful lady and dance teacher called Christine Tillet of Akula Tribal BellyDance and her dance partner and my dance teacher too, Maxine Brennan. I was honoured to be part of Akula for a number of years. I fulfilled one of my goals and dreams and that was to become an ATS® teacher and have my own dance troupe. This is when Soluna Dance was born, nearly five years ago now. It’s sort of developed into its own thing, and I love what it’s become. It’s been created by total accident by like-minded people. We dance, we craft, we create madness together and long may it continue. |
Ruth
I joined an Egyptian bellydance class as a New Year's resolution in 2009, and a year later I started to learn ATS®. In June 2014, I completed the ATS® General Skills training course with Carolena Nericcio and Megha Gavin of Fat Chance Belly Dance. I love what I do with Soluna, as it perfectly suits my love of dancing, costumes, and silliness, not to mention the weird and the wonderful. Plus, I get to do it all with my best friends. I couldn't ask for better. :) |
Sam
I have been dancing all my life - tap as a toddler, ballet throughout my childhood, but then I found Egyptian Bellydance at the age of 18 and have never looked back! As for ATS®, I have spent many years watching David and numerous others in complete awe at the beauty of this dance style, and am so pleased that I am now able to be part of such an awesome family. I love all aspects of ATS® - it is so powerful and mesmerising to watch. And I love that I can still make eyebrows raise when I tell people what I do....! |
Barbara
I have been dancing all my life. My first love was to be a Prima Ballerina but unfortunately because of a serious accident it did not happen. I have explored many different styles of dance flamenco, polynesian and bellydancing. I love belly dancing and did quite a lot of my own choreography with a friend which included a lot of different styles. I have been performing belly dancing for over 20 years and have always loved watching American Tribal Style®. I had the opportunity several years ago to try it and fell in love with it, but unfortunately the class moved location, but now I have found the right teacher for me. |
Mike
I love taking pictures of wildlife and the countryside and I love watching Soluna, my husband David's troupe. I have sort of become the official photographer and videographer, something I found an honour to do for them. (Mike looks after everyone, is photographer, videographer, coat and bag carrier and puts up with all of us. He deserves a damn medal.😉) |