When and How did you discover ATS.

My discovery of ATS® was a very serendipitous

event, I knew nothing about belly dance and ended

up in my first class on a whim. I had just finished my

degree, had some free time and wanted to take a

dance class, this was around 2002/2003. !

 

When have you heard for the first time about ATS ?

I was in a very strange belly dance class, every style

all mixed together, I had no idea that there was

anything other than just “belly dance” but in the class

there were a few women that whispered the words

“FatChanceBellyDance” like it was some sacred thing.

They invited me to go to class with them but I never

made it with the group, however one day I did end

up going on my own. !

 

 Have you choose to do ATS since the first time you

see it, or later ?

I didn’t choose to do it at first, I wasn’t totally won

over, I needed time to understand it, and I was caught

up in being a photographer, dance was just something

that was there. However Carolena Nericcio was my

first teacher and there was something magical about

her presence that brought me back for more. !

 

 When did you begin ?

Around 2002, I think. !

 

 How did you begin, directly from Carolena ?

Yes, she was teaching in San Francisco and Berkeley at that time and she was my only teacher for quite some time. !

 

 How many steps existed when you began ?

I’m not sure, the steps weren’t the important part of the dance, the communication was, so I never bothered counting !

 

 When was your first performance on stage, and who was it with? With FCBD?

It was in a carpet shop in SF, some big fundraiser, Wendy Allen was there for sure as well as Soy Pak and I think it

was Sandi Ball and Anita Lalwani.

I just remember the event planner wanted us to dance on a stack of carpets and Wendy told him “no”, I also remember dancing a duet with Wendy and I was terrified, and part way into the song she turned to face me, we locked eyes and I knew it would all be ok from there on, it was a magical moment.

 

When have you decided to go all around the world ? and Why ?

It’s always been a dream of mine to travel around the world, but taking it at my own pace, but I never knew how to

make it work. At first I planned to be a travel photographer but that never worked out, so I let that dream go and

forgot about it for a time.

I never really considered myself a professional dancer, it was just something I did because I loved it, not until later

did all the worlds of dance, travel, photography collied and I knew what I wanted to do.

I thought about dying and looking back on my life, and this trip was something that made me go “fuck yeah I did”

so I knew it was the right path for me. !!

 

What does your world around trip brings to you (about ATS) ?

For me it’s about the connection, the family, the fact that we are all out there, everywhere and we aren’t alone,

an ATS® dancer is never alone. !

 

Which advise you’d give to a new ATS dancer, who’d like to improve her dance ?

Posture. Posture. Posture.

Practice as much as you can, a few minutes everyday, force yourself to improvise even if it’s not the most

comfortable feeling, and don’t bother thinking about “how many steps are there” think more about how can I use

the steps I know, that’s the important part.

Dance with as many people as you can, and create a space for yourself to learn at every moment. !

 

Have you participated in the elaboration of some steps ?

yes. !

 

If yes which ones ?

I invented the Sarah crossing and the Wrap Around crossing. !

 

Is there any steps that you used to use in performance but you don’t use anymore now ?

No, not really. There are some steps I love to use and then some I just think are ok, but nothing has been deleted

from the vocabulary since I started. !

 

If you have to describe ATS what would you say ?

ATS® is a modern idea on a classic spirit. !

 

What did ATS bring in your life ?

ATS® has brought me so many amazing gifts they are hard to list, but first and foremost it has giving me a family

and a voice. !

 

Anything Else you want to add about your story with ATS ?

Don’t be a dick.

Just keep dancing.

 

 

 

Retrouvez le blog d'ATS de Kristine ainsi que son site Photo et sa Page Facebook.

© 2014 - Emy Shamanka ReshamKa