DOB 25/08/77 I grew up in Newcastle

What do you do for a living? I work for a disability home care company and I'm in the process of getting my silvermithing/jewellery design business started.

What is your personal life like Colourful!

How long have you been dancing? Since I was 3.

What other styles have you done?Jazz, classical, modern dance, splashes of hip hop, Workshops in African, Egyptian Baladi for many years, Turkish, Flamenco. I have also spent the last couple of years studying for several months at a time in India learning Odissi classical temple dance and Khalbelia gypsy dance for the local gypsy girls.

How long have you been doing tribal? Since 2002 When I went to the mountains for my first workshop.

What appeals to you about tribal? The strength and grace of small but very controlled movement and the power of the flamenco influenced posture was the main attraction , as well as the gorgeous black skirts. The awe that is created within when I watch a really great slow dancer made me really want to learn how to accomplish that myself …. Oh and the opportunity to wear lots of elegantly crafted beautiful chunks of silver. He he

Hobbies? Oh so many fun things to do, Spinning, weaving, felting, basketry, drumming, sculpture, silver smithing, walking through the wonderful Blue Mountains wilderness, and i have just started lapidary so i can gather my own gem stones and minerals and fashion them into cabochones and set them in silver to make unique adornments.

What dancers inspire you?  Ohh so many to pick from so I will give you 3… Devi of course that’s why I left my home town and moved to the misty mountains, Maria Osende who I studied Flamenco with in Canada, you should really check her out, hot hot stuff, and finally the beautiful and enchanting Colleena.

Where do you see yourself and Ghawazi in the future?  Hmmm don’t know really so many things have happened that I couldn’t have imagined so I’ll see what fate has in store for us….. dancing in Egypt would be nice.

Khalbelia Folk Dance Workshops with April!

Come to the Blue Mountains or sponsor workshops in your area.

As seen in the film Latcho Drom, this beautiful dance style is native to the semi-nomadic Snake Charming Caste of Rajasthan, the Khalbelia.

April spent four months in 2009 and three months in 2010 living in Rajasthan, India, studying and performing with the Khalbelia people on a regular basis.

Workshops contain a short information session about the Khalbelia people, then demonstrate their vivacious, colourful and energetic dance. This dance form features stamping, spins, mudras, skirt movements and expression of personality, it is full of fun and 'gypsy' flair! Khalbelia workshops can be tailored for beginner and advanced dancer alike.

April has studied ATS since 2002 and been a member of Ghawazi Caravan since 2006 as well as taught ATS for G.C. Studios and at the Shakti School of Dance in Pushkar, so is aware of how fascinating true tribal cultures are to bellydancers, and how beautifully Indian movement can be utilised in other styles. She would love to promote and share this dance in Australia.