Phoenix Avathar: Lead teacher/owner of Dancing Ember Studio Phoenix dreamed this studio up years ago and is incredibly excited to start this venture. She has been dancing and performing since age 3 - when her mom entered her into jazz, tap, and ballet classes. Her bellydance training began in 1999 with a 6 week community college class. She then went on to learn from several New England instructors, such as Maia Solana, Naharin, Brooke Bishara, and Nerine Avital. Currently, she is very proud to be an advanced student of Sabrina Tarulli of Boston. Phoenix believes that to be an effective teacher, one must also continue to be a student. Although Phoenix specializes in tribal style and gothic fusion bellydance, she has been trained in several dance styles including American Cabaret style. Her classes consist of as much personal attention as a student wants, as well as technique training in all styles. Her inspirations include Amy Sigil of Unmata, Rachel Brice of the Indigo, Onca of Baraka Mundi, and Sa'Elayssa of Desert Sin.

Diana, Baseema, & Caitlin: Beginner Improvisational Tribal Style (Littleton) When Caitlin, Diana, and Rachel met it didn’t take long for them to get in sync. They immediately liked each other and “fit together like a glove”. They have been taking improv classes together with Phoenix for a little more than a year. Starting as Phoenix’s student troupe, Moirae, they just recently made the switch to Primal Redemption. Moirae had their first performance together at a benefit hafla just one short year ago (Shimmies for Heroes on September 3, 2007). Since then, they have performed together other benefits (including Rachel’s own benefit Shimmies for a Cure), haflas (such as Phoenix’s Goth hafla), and competitions. With Phoenix as their troupe director and choreographer, they have won awards for best original choreography at the NBDA People’s Choice awards and most recently runner up in the troupe choreography at Za-Beth’s Diva Pageant.