Article by Stacy Reyer (Feb 2011)

From Punk to Passion: the Fusion of Daniela Adriennesens By Stacy L. Reyer   When watching Daniela Adriennesens perform, one realizes a few things: her stature, isolations and dramatic flair. One does not, however, think: surfer girl and punk. Nonetheless, Daniela had her days of fun in the sun. “I was super tan surfer chick with my Roxy bag and reef sandals” she says. Hard to imagine a dancer with such feminine expression as a self-proclaimed “tomboy”, but she has come a long way from her Delray Beach surfer days.   Traveling overseas to teach and perform has been Daniela’s greatest accomplishment as a dancer. It has also inspired her signature fusion style. “I have Spanish ancestors on my mom’s side and I love it so much.  Spain is my favorite place to go to dance. There is something about flamenco that I am extremely drawn to .It comes out in my performance and costuming now more than ever.”   A year and a half ago Daniela moved from West Palm Beach to the Tampa Bay area. Challenging as the move has been, she did it for the right reason: love. “The night of Beledi Beach Bash with Jill Parker I met a boy, Igor, at the after party. We first crossed paths on the corner of the Russian restaurant, and fell in love at first site.  He was tall and handsome and had me at Ghello.” Her new fiancé is not the only important partnership Daniela has formed while in the Tampa Bay area. Through Hip Expressions, she has connected with two dancers: Omaris Saneaux and Najmah Nour. “There is something with those two girls that I feel connected with—we come from the same place.” They are now collaborating on The Passion Project, a cohesive workshop focusing on the theatrics and emotion of belly dance.   Visitwww.thepassionproject.org for more details.   Next month Daniela is heading to Moscow, Russia to teach a workshop—then Italy. In May she will be teaching at Tribal Fest in California. “I want to go everywhere. I want to be a traveling gypsy.” Upon her return to the states, she is bringing Patricia Passo back for workshops in West Palm.  If you are dreading Daniela withdrawals don’t fret; she is working on her first DVD series. “Flavors of Fusion” is being produced by Pixilated Productions and each DVD will highlight a different fusion style and technique.   When asked what is next for her, Daniela replies “Honestly, I almost feel like I’m beside myself. I don’t feel like my life is real. The fact that I’m teaching in Moscow is absurd to me or that I’m having my own DVD out or that I was touring and hit Brussels, Madrid and Amsterdam. I can go and travel across the world and people want to take my workshops. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. And on top of that I’m in love- I don’t think it could get any better.”   MEET DANIELA: Describe yourself in 5 words: Passionate, Determined, Loyal, Loving and Sensitive or Silly, can’t make up my mind on the last one Any influences or anyone you look up to when it comes to dance? Bozenka What inspires you? Many things! Traveling, nature, music, watching performances or movies, my teachers! When is your favorite time to dance? When it’s raining What would you be other than a dancer? Nothing really beats it… but if I had to pick, I would live on a farm and be involved with horses. Favorite band: I have a favorite music style…. I love lounge and ambient music! Favorite color: Yellow Favorite Drink: tea Any words of advice for aspiring dancers? Train hard!!! Respect your teachers and don’t give up!

Fleur De Lys is back in business!

FLEUR DE LYS is back in da house!!!! Whoooop Whoop!!!  You may have seen Hip-Notic (my student troupe) recently at Shimmy for a Cause, but I also have FDL, who is my traveling performance group. We will be debuting our NEWEST choreography at Miami Bellydance Convention.   It’s a vintage military performance we are all very thrilled about!  We will also be traveling to Texas and Atlanta this year!!! Hmmmm…. who have I hipnotized and convinced to be a part of my posse??????   I am honored to announce my troupe members!!! Drum roll please……   Diana Spring I have been studying Middle Eastern Dance since 2000 when a friend asked me to join a local class.  It didn’t take long before I was hooked on the music and the costumes.  When I saw my first dancer play finger cymbals, I knew I had to learn how to play them.  11 years later into my studies and I’m still learning to master them!  I’m now hoping to expand my repertoire and studying with Daniela will help me achieve those goals! Discovering this dance also introduced me to my other passion – henna body art.  I now travel around South Florida applying henna at bridal showers, baby showers, private parties and festivals. Click hereto see Diana in action!       Crystal Eve Miller Dance has always been a part of my life even though I was never able to take formal classes when I was little. Three years ago I started taking bellydance with Amalia Maya. After the first class, I was completely in love with the art form and have been studying ever since! I have also studied Tribal style bellydance at Lotus Dance Studio and currently I am studying with Daniela and every other inspiring dancer I can get my hands on. Bellydance and all of it’s fusions allows women to be proud of their individuality and to embrace their own creativity! I am so excited about being a part of the eclectic and always amazing FDL! See Crystal in action here.       Jeanine D’Alusio Jeanine lives in West Palm Beach and has been studying belly dance since 2007. In addition to Daniela, some of her teachers have included Laurel Kadouri, Jennifer Ward, and Heather Foy. She has also attended many workshops, some taught by inspirational dancers such as Rachel Brice, Tamalyn Dallal, Unmata, and Ariellah. She is very excited to join Fleur de Lys and looks forward to learning and growing with the troupe. See Jeanine in a choreography by Jen Ward.

Interview from Tribal Mind

This is an interview from tribal mind, a FABULOUS blog from Ana Harff out of Brazil (also translated in English)  :)   It has tons of great info! Check it out

Here is the link or read it below http://tribalmind.blogspot.com/2011/06/entrevista-daniela-adrienssens.html

One Favorite Quote:

“If I could tell you how I feel, there would be no need to dance” Isadora Duncan

If you weren’t a dancer, what do you believe you’ll be doing right now?
Hmmm.. probably some other form of art like pottery or maybe I’d be a lifeguard and surfing every day

You think that it is different the way that you face life now and the way you where before the dance came into your life?
Absolutely!!! Before dance I was self-conscious, shy, insecure and cared too much about what others thought about me. Dance has given me the ability to see beyond the materialistic things and dig into my own personal thoughts, inspirations and accept myself inside and out. Dance was the only way I felt comfortable expressing myself.

How do you define your personal dance style?
Now that’s a good question?! I consider myself just fusion bellydance! I have a lot of cabaret/Egyptian training and a lot of tribal fusion training. So my fusion is already learned from fusion.

One unforgettable moment in your life.
My very first bellydance class, it changed my life!

What are your expectations in the results of your work?
I am very excited at the present moment. I have been given the opportunity to start traveling more to teach. This is something I love!!! Teaching workshops in different places is so inspiring because you see the passion and determination in dancers all over the world! It’s so rewarding. And I’m looking forward to continue to immerse myself in more studies and training so I can continue to grow as well! I would love to study more classical forms of dance along with more flamenco, polynesian and other tribal dance styles.

What you love to see in people who work with art?
Their passion and how dance changes their life!

How is the conception of your figurine? How they influence you in the choreographic composition?
My costume influence depends on the piece I am performing. Usually picking my music is the first in the creation process, although sometimes the costume comes first! I am very lucky, I have a mom who sews and makes most of my costumes and a friend who is a designer and make-up artist. So if I get stuck, I ask them for help! Right now two of my favorite styles are Spanish Fusion and Old Vintage and Jazzy fusion. So my costumes reflect these styles. For costuming, I generally like to keep them simple, elegant and figure flattering. I love the mermaid shaped skirts and I shop a lot at old thrift stores for ideas and jewelry!

An important person in your life would be… And why?
My parents, they both support me tremendously in this dance.

Talk about the feeling of dance to other people.
Talking about the feeling of dance is impossible for me, just dance!  When you dance and completely let yourself go, that is when you will know the true feeling!

At least but no less important: why dance?
I dance because it is the only time in life when I completely let go of all my thoughts and expectations. It is the only time when I feel complete peace. This is why I always improvise my solo’s, there is something about surrendering yourself to the music and the moment that I am completely addicted to!!! Dance just makes my heart smile!

Music from my workshops:

Vintage Jazzy Fusion:

Belly Love

FOR WORKSHOP NOTES, EMAIL ME @ Daniela@bellydancebydaniela.com !

Italy/Russia 2011

So yes, I am a slacker… I had full intentions of updating you on my travels while I was away… BUT… I guess I was just enjoying myself too much!

But now I am home with some time to reflect on the past month.

Italy- the land of Les Soeurs Tribales!

My workshop in Milan

Wow, when I think of Italy, the first thing I think about is three women who make up the group Les Soeurs Tribales based in Milan. When I was invited to teach at their studio I was just speechless. These ladies are seriously talented, innovative and beautiful people. So if you haven’t checked them out, click here, this is one of my favorite performances.

Cinzia and I at the park

During my time in Italy, in addition to savoring many delicious cappuccinos, pizza and pasta, I was able to see three cities, Turin, Milan and Venice. Venice, the city on water, was of course my favorite of the three. I walked for countless hours on end and took hundreds of pictures. To see some of the photographs, check out my facebook page. Being in Turin was great because I was able to study with some fabulous dancers; Amir Thaleb, Raqia Hassan and Jillina during the Stelle D’Oriente festival. Then in Milan, what sticks out the most is the cathedral, the Duomo and all the Dolce and Gabbana. It was a short week full of dance and sight-seeing, but a beautiful week thanks to Cinzia of LST!

Russia- the land where random acts of kindness still exists!

Many of us think of Russians as the stereotypical cold, mean looking people who drink lots of vodka. When I think of Russians, I see kind, welcoming and loving people who are the most hospitable I’ve ever come across. For example, random strangers carrying woman’s suitcases and baby strollers up stairs at airports. I have to say, it’s very convenient to not have to lift your suitcase up on your third connecting flight of the day! So starting from my first hour in Russia, I was already impressed by their kindness and manners. Three weeks later I still hadn’t changed my mind, men and women alike are super kind once you get to know them. They may not smile at you while walking down the street, but they are filled with warmth, beauty and love!

Elbrus- the highest mountain in Europe

Church of the Spilled Blood

During the first two weeks of my stay, I was in the very southern part of Russia close to Pyatigorsk, a town in the mountains known for its healing mineral waters and springs. This area was stunning, full of fresh air and beautiful landscape bordering the Caucasus mountains. After two weeks we headed way north to Saint Petersburg. This city is one of the most beautiful I have been too! It is definitely at the top of my list (along with Madrid) and has one of my favorite churches so far, church of the spilled blood. After a few days, we were off to Moscow, the last city of my trip for Tribal Fest Russia. This weekend was icing on the cake for me. An amazing end to a fabulous journey! The tribal community welcomed me with open arms and it was a pleasure to experience the talent and joy that is currently erupting from the Russian Tribal and Tribal Fusion dancers!!! I loved Russia and I can’t wait to return… I already miss it!

My workshop in Moscow

For more pictures view my albums on Facebook.

Upcoming Events!

Find me at the following……
(Click on Images for more info)

Milan, Italy
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Moscow, Russia

Sebastopol, California

Pembroke Pines, Florida

An interview with Keli Medcroft

This was an interview done last week with Keli from Tribal Dance Nation about me and my Tribal Fest workshops

WORKSHOP NOTES- The Fusion Revolution

Hip Hop Choreo- Russian Style:

1×8) 2 Pas de bourrées starting on Right foot crossing back then left and end with a hook turn with R foot to face front arms up and a Right hip accent down (in shape of Maya)

1×8) Step Cross (with down to up and up to down undulations) starting with right leg for 4 counts. Into deep lounge on R foot with clockwise chest circle and chest slides back left and wait for it… to hit side right.

1×8) Sideways worm/undulation inwards and back out words and inwards, end with hip accent downs to music. And finish with Corkscrew circles – hips, chest, head and down.

Tribal Fusion Combo:

2×8) Bat Wings to bring your arms up
2×8) Sidewinder starting with right arm pushing and left side dipping chest
1×8) Rachel Brice Turn
2×8) Snake Arm walk forward
2×8) Grapevine Walk with Paddle Turns to R and L. End in deep Sidewinder.

Tango Fusion Combo:

Face Left sideways, “Rond de jambe” with R foot, toe pointed! arms stay wrapped around the body for 1. Continue foot movement but now bring R arm over the head (starting at L ear) and down side. On the 3rd time bring R arm straight out in front and make glove motion with left arm. Once Left arm gets high up the right arm, Lift the right and circle it around while hooking R foot back to face other direction and undulate up to down. Now repeat on the Left side.
Step Cross with Interior Hip Circles forward And go back with Improv to repeat from top.

My First Performance

So…. this weekend I was inspired to share something with you guys…. My very first bellydance performance!  :)

I was in Miami over the weekend, delighted to be around and experience some of the best talent from Florida! It was an event at the Art of Bellydance studio in honor of the delightful and legendary Tamalyn Dallal and her Middle Eastern Dance Exchange! She has touched the lives of so many of us. On Sunday some of her previous students performed including Hanan, Samay, Virginia, Irene, Bozenka and Amar Gamal. These women are now legends of their own and have also hugely inspired me! It was an incredible experience and I feel blessed to have experienced the MEDE, past and present!

I really enjoyed it when during the discussion Bozenka showed us clips of her first solo, it was awesome to see her as a diamond in the rough and to see where she came from. So she inspired me to share my first performance too. As much as I cringe thinking about posting this, I feel like if this can also inspire atleast one person, it’s definitely worth it!

So here you go…. my first performance. I was 18 and this was a choreography by Raina Milliman. This was about 8 weeks into my dancing and I still remember borrowing a scarf from Leticia and buying my top in a local swap shop. I was so nervous, but so completely and totally hooked on BELLYDANCE!

Untitled from Daniela Adriaenssens on Vimeo.

European Tour Part 3: HOLLAND

Holland, the land of tall beautiful women and cheese. Wow, did I feel at home here?! Nothing is better than feeling comfortable in your surroundings and having the best cheese on earth!  But, on a serious note, being amongst so many tall and strong women was just a reminder that life is not about becoming like the malnourished actress on tv. In today’s society, it’s rather easy to get lost in the materialist consumer world filled with diets and the desire to be young and fashionable. Its just impossible, we all age, face it ladies. There will always be someone younger, skinnier and prettier. We have to see the beauty within ourselves and learn to be healthy inside and out. This is something I wish I could give, I see so many beautiful and talented women struggling with self acceptance and confidence. But luckily, through dance, many of us realize our worth and beauty and we wake up… and we dance!

Not only did we dance in Holland, but both the women and men dancers here blew my mind with their originality and creativity!!! I taught and performed at an event hosted by The Uzume. There were people here from all over Europe, and all I have to say is…. America, you better watch out. Tribal and Tribal Fusion is young here, but the talent is far beyond its years! I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend 3 weeks touring 3 countries in Europe. I am full of inspiration and joy and I can’t wait to continue on this journey of life, love, dance and travel!!!