Krista: Hello, Terri! Thank you so much for taking
the time to share some of your thoughts, insight, and input regarding the
creation of ATS®Homecoming. I’m sure most people will be familiar with you to
some degree, but would you mind sharing with us a little about yourself? What
is your dance background? How did you “find” American Tribal Style®? What does
this dance style represent for you personally? Also, what is your role in the
FatChanceBellyDance® organization?
Terri: I began dancing about 12 years ago after a
head injury left me unable to work. My
physical therapist recommended a dance class to help with my vestibular
difficulties. I could only drive a
couple of miles at that point so I looked at the catalogue for our local arts
center. They had a belly dance class and
the journey began. My first style of
belly dance was Egyptian but I quickly began taking classes in as many styles
as I could. In my North Carolina
community at the time, I was able to receive instruction in multiple styles of dance
from a variety of wonderful instructors every week. Ultimately, I landed in American Tribal
Style® because of its emphasis on community.
I love the way that ATS®
brings women and men from such a wide variety of backgrounds together to share
in creating art. I love watching the
transformation in my students as they become more comfortable in their bodies
and with expressing themselves. I really
love being able to dance with people from all over the world.
I serve as a Business
Consultant to FatChanceBellyDance®, Tribal Pura International and The ATS®
Magazine. I am also the Event Producer
for ATS® Homecoming. I work remotely since I live in Minnesota. Most people are surprised to know that I
don’t live in San Francisco because I am so heavily involved.
K: What is your earliest memory of the
idea of ATS® Homecoming? When and how
were the seeds planted, so to speak? Did any one person think of it first, or
was it a collaborative effort?
T: Carolena and I were talking about
her wish that people could come to San Francisco to study with her. She had recently gotten married and was
thinking about staying home more. That
night, I had a dream about Homecoming.
The name and the event came to me. I called Carolena the next day but
she was skeptical we could find a location in San Fran. In my dream, we were in a hotel by the
airport, so that is where I began looking.
The rest is history!
K: How much preparation was required
to bring forth the first ATS® Homecoming? Were there any unexpected hiccups or
welcome surprises?
T: The welcome surprises were too
numerous to count and had a lot to do with the unexpected hiccups. By now most people know that we had a lot of
problems with the hotel, particularly before we got there. The funniest hiccup/surprise came when I
realized that the ceiling in the main room where the shows were supposed to be
was really, really short. I had them put
the stage up for Carolena to teach on for the General Skills prior to Homecoming. Her arms almost hit the ceiling and she is
not a tall woman! Various dancers from
all over stood on the stage and we had a good laugh about the types of
contortions folks would have to get into in order to perform in that space. I was pretty stressed out. Rachel Brice was in the room so I went to
talk to her. I didn’t know her very well
previously, but she helped me talk through what to do with the staging. Rachel and the other dancers helped me to
laugh at the situation.
K: If you had to summarize the purpose
or goal of ATS® Homecoming in one phrase or sentence, what would it be? Do you
think the first ATS® Homecoming achieved this goal?
T: To bring the ATS® community
together. Yes, it was incredible how
people from all over the world bonded, laughed and danced together.
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| Lacy Sanchez clowning around with workshop participants |
K: When I think of my experience at
the first ATS® Homecoming, the most deeply moving aspect of the whole event was
the incredible sense of community. Did you have a similar experience? Were you
surprised by the power of the event?
T: I was really surprised by the
power of the event. I was deeply moved
many times by the love and support that dancers shared. If there was a dancer alone, she was welcomed
by several groups and invited to sit and visit.
You almost had to stay in your room if you wanted any “me time!”
 |
| Hospitality Volunteers meeting before the event |
K: In addition to the personal
connections made at the event, the exemplary workshop offerings are a huge draw
for attendees. How do you decide upon which workshops will be offered?
T: For the first Homecoming, we wanted
to offer the tried and true regular topics and in-demand FCBD® instructors, but
we also wanted to highlight some of what was happening in the broader
community.
K: Looking forward to ATS® Homecoming
2016, do you sense the same excitement surrounding the event? Perhaps more? What
are you most looking forward to?
T: This year, we asked all of the
instructors to offer their “dream workshops.”
I think we are going to find a lot of passion and excitement in the
workshops this year. There is a lot of
excitement this year as well. We have
some folks who are returning and some who are excited to be attending for the
first time.
K: You’ve added an informational
poster session to ATS® Homecoming 2016. How do you think this will fill a need
in the ATS® community?
T: There are only a few lucky
instructors who get to teach workshops, but so very many people who have
something to offer. That is why I
decided to include the poster session. It was Janet Taylor’s idea, actually. She had recently been to a professional
conference where they had one. I hadn’t
even thought of it even though I met my husband at a professional conference
where I was presenting a poster session!
K: What other new events or features
can we look forward to at ATS® Homecoming 2016?
T: The same night as the Poster
Session, we are having a reception and hafla.
Many people requested an open dance last year, so we are pleased to be
able to offer it this year!
K: Thanks again, Terri, for taking the
time to share this with us. I know I can’t wait for ATS® Homecoming 2016, and I
know I’m not alone – there is a whole excited community anxiously anticipating
the awesomeness about to be had!
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| Celebrating another wonderful show- notice the very, very low ceiling! |
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