Lacey began her journey into Tribal Belly dance at the early age of 15 in southern California with Patricia Johnson. Her love for this beautiful art form was immediate; she began performing at tribal events and around campfires at SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) events almost instantly. The thrill of live drums and dancing with her sisters was inspiring. She took this love for the dance all the way through high school and pursued a dance degree at Victor Valley Community College. She studied many forms of classical dance including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Ballroom. However, as fate would have it Lacey sustained an injury that would prevent her from ever pursuing a career in classical dance. To her surprise though, because Belly Dance is best danced barefoot her doctor approved and encouraged her to continue Belly dancing.

Lacey then traveled cross country from California to Central Florida where she was exposed to the large community of Cabaret Belly dancers in Florida. Lacey then spent the next four years studying, teaching, and performing classical Cabaret Belly dance in Florida as well as in Southern California. It was in her last trip to California where her original love for Tribal Belly dance was re-ignited. Lacey then made the decision that she wanted to bring her experience and love of Tribal Belly dance to Florida. So she began Florida Tribal Dance in November of 2006 for just that reason.

Lacey is the director of Florida Tribal Dance Troupes: Black V, offering professional Tribal Fusion performances, Blue Caravan, a troupe specializing in improvisational Tribal Style, and Silver Sage Tribal Florida Tribal Dance's student troupe. Lacey and Florida Tribal Dance also hosts two big events each year: " An Evening of Tribal" every Spring/Summer and " A Tribal Garden" our annual Gala every November celebrating the students, troupes, and extended family of Florida Tribal Dance.

In addition to teaching weekly classes Lacey is also available for instructional workshops. She prides herself on her upbeat personality that puts students in a fun place to learn and her meticulous breakdown of movements so whether you are a first time dancer or a seasoned professional you will find Lacey's teaching easy to comprehend and useful in any dancer' s progression.

Lacey also holds a beginning certification in the YogaFit Method.

You can see Lacey performing Friday evenings at Café Tu Tu Tango on International Drive in Orlando starting at 9pm. You can also see all of Florida Tribal Dance's troupes performing throughout the community every month.

Laura Barsalou

In the spring of 2000, Laura wanted to find a fun and interesting new exercise program and fell in love with the feminine grace and sensuality that bellydance embodied. But it wasn’t until early 2004 that she had the opportunity to take the plunge with formal classes,
when she started studying Egyptian Cabaret at a local bellydance studio. Soon, she was invited to join her instructor’s classical troupe, gaining her first performance experience through student showcases and community events.

Laura’s interest in tribal bellydance was sparked by viewing a video of Rachel Brice in 2005, and it was then that she became captivated by the serpentine, isolated dance form.

Laura began studying tribal fusion with Lacey Sanchez at Florida Tribal Dance in 2006. Finding her home in the exclusive tribal dance school, she became a founding member of Black V Tribal, performing at the Downtown Arts & Living Festival, Café Tu Tu Tangos, TribalCon, MegaCon and at other local events and venues.

Taking her interest in dance to a deeper level, Laura became one of the first graduating members of the Florida Tribal Dance teaching format, enabling her to share her love for the dance in the classroom. Bringing her slinky and saucy expression to tribal fusion technique, Laura is excited to offer classes at Florida Tribal Dance’s new studio location in 2011.

Laura’s recent interests include becoming a new member of Blue Caravan, the professional improv group of Florida Tribal Dance, furthering her study of improv tribal style. She is also developing signature workshops for performance makeup for bellydance, with hands-on, easily accessible techniques for all levels. Currently, Laura writes the beauty and glamour column in Yallah Magazine, as well as writing cover features and a broad range of topics as a senior writer. Laura can be seen regularly performing as a soloist at her
favorite venue, Café Tu Tu Tango.

Greywolf

Greywolf has been teaching hand drumming and facilitating drum circles since 1992, after years of (ongoing) study with modern day masters from West Africa (including Famadou Konate and Mamaday Keta), the Congo (including Thobos Lubamba and Teber Milandou Sita), the Middle East (including Karim Nagi, Raquy, Quentin Shaw) and many more.

He has completed the Remo Health Rhythms Facilitator training; is a Rhythmic Entertainment Intervention Authorized Therapy Provider; and has performed, practiced Sound Healing modalities, and recorded from coast to coast.

Current projects include Thee Flammable Babylon Percussion Ensemble.

Ashley

Makana (Ashley) was born and raised on the island of Oahu in the beautiful state of Hawaii. The splendor of Hawaii and its beaches gifted Makana with a great childhood. As a child she was introduced to dance and attended ballet, jazz, and tap classes at the Rosalie Woodson Dance Academy in Pearl Ridge, Hawaii.

From the first time Makana’s feet hit a stage she felt the love of performing but unfortunately was never given the opportunity to learned the dance that Hawaii is know for; Hula. When she was ten, her family moved her from the beautiful islands to Orlando where she would have a greater opportunity for education; this her mother wanted badly for her daughter.

As Makana’s homesickness grew, her mother ventured out in search of hula classes and interestingly enough found them being taught in the Disney’s Polynesian Resort by a teacher from her very own island in Hawaii. The Hula classes, along with her new Ohana, (family) helped cured her homesick by filling the lonely void in her life and taught her the beautiful art of dance, home to the Pacific Islands.

Since that age of ten, she has practiced, performed and now teaches the Hawaii’s Hula, Tahiti and the New Zealand’s Maori dance. Traveling around Florida for the past thirteen years she has competed in many competitions often helping her hula group dance their way into title status.

Now, with many years of knowledge under her belt, Makana wants to share her love for dance and the cultures of the Pacific Islands with other in hopes to keep the art of hula alive for generations to come.