Where and when were you born?
I'm a Sagittarian, born in the early 1960's in inner city Melbourne, Victoria.

How long have you been dancing?
My first memory of dancing was at age 2 on the coffee table (in full costume of course!) For me, the costumes have always been just as important as the dance.

What other styles of dancing have you done?
At age 7, my mother enrolled me in dance classes to help me overcome dyslexia and poor coordination. I have learnt classical ballet, jazz ballet, tap dancing and highland dancing. Later I moved on to bushdance, bellydance fusion and flamenco.

How long have you been doing Tribal style?
I started tribal style bellydance in 2000 after seeing Devi perform at a local Christmas Party. I absolutely loved her hand and arm movements. I instantly knew that this was what I wanted to do next!

What appeals to you about Tribal?
The tribal philosophy of "learning to love the body you have, and not the one you wish you had" especially appealed to me, as does the strength and self confidence that the style develops. I've really enjoyed using my skills as designer/patternmaker/dressmaker in the group. Its been so satisfying modifying the basic costume to fit so many different figure types. There's a lot of room for personal expression in the use of colours, textiles and embellishments.

What do you do for a living? Other hobbies?
My husband and I are currently completing renovations on a 1913 weatherboard cottage and creating a show garden. My hobbies include interior design, stenciling, leadlight, furniture restoration, crazy patchwork and studying psycho-immunology.

If Tribal is your current passion, what was your previous passion?
I wanted to be a ballerina until I got honours for tap dancing as a child. 'Les Girls' became my next dream (until the devastating discovery that they were all men!) I would never have begun belly dancing if it hadn't been for a surgeon recommending that I start immediately after the removal of multiple fibroids and severe endometriosis in my early 30's. I was extremely reluctant to begin with as I had a lot of scar tissue and several herniated discs in my lower back. Bellydancing was rather painful initially but as I regained my confidence and flexibility I found I was hooked!
What is your personal life like?

I have 10 brothers and sisters so I'm used to being one of a crowd. I've lost count of my nieces and nephews - there are so many!
Where do you see yourself and Ghawazi Caravan in the future?

I can see tribal style bellydancing becoming as popular in Australia as cabaret. The thought of traveling around Australia and being able to dance with other troupes - looking as if we'd practiced for years - excites me! I'm hoping to attend workshops and bazaars all over selling tribal costumes and teaching students to decorate their own costumes in ways that make each tribe unique.