Tribal Evolution


	BRANDY Brandy Bollin is the Artistic Director of Tribal Evolution, Tribal Echo and Tribal Element. She is a charismatic entertainer that has been engaging crowds for over twelve years. Her speciality is Improv Tribal Style (ITS), but she has also studied cabaret and enjoys performing with props such as zills, sword, veil, fire tray and fans. Brandy has been an ITS instructor for over ten years and enjoys traveling to study with other instructors as often as she can. She volunteers her time within the bellydance community and has been the President of the North Texas Middle Eastern Dance Association (NTMEDA) for the past five years and was also the founding DFW~Pure Chapter facilitator. Brandy is a regular contributor to dance publications including the Papyrus Newsletter and The Chronicles Magazine. Brandy's "day job" is within the dance industry as well. She is a talent manager and enjoys working with clients across the country and internationally booking bellydance and music talent for their events. Brandy has sponsored many great events here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth and Austin areas and she is also a sought after event instructor. Brandy is a talented designer and seamstress who you can occasionally find selling her custom Tribal Flair creations and one-of-a-kind jewelry at local events.

	MERAH Having taken Tap, Jazz and Ballet as a teenager, I have an appreciation of dance and a tremendous amount of respect for performers. I saw my first professional belly dancer when I was 20 and have been fascinated with the dance ever since. The dance just speaks to me and after a few years of stalking local restaurants and events, I finally took my first Cabaret class in 2005 and was hooked. After a couple of years of strict Cabaret, a fellow dance sister introduced me to ATS and the Tribal Evolution troupe. I started out as an original member of Tribal Echo in 2007 and became a member of Tribal Evolution in 2009. I love the sense of sisterhood that ATS provides. It’s so much fun to be able to jump on stage and just start dancing. I have not given up on my sparkly roots. I was invited to join the Al Amir Rising Star dancers in 2009 and perform at the Addison Al Amir restaurant monthly. Be sure to give us a loud ‘YIP’ or ‘OPA!’ next time you see us!

	KELELA Kelela’s dance experience grows in a new direction with her participation in Tribal Evolution. Belly dance is the latest chapter in her journey, which includes classical ballet, modern dance, and jazz. Her formal training includes coursework at La Universidad de las Américas – Puebla, México and a B.F.A. in Modern Dance from Texas Christian University. Kelela’s professional work includes company member of Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth as well as teacher in local dance studios and outreach programs. Her interests include travel, J.R.R. Tolkien, musical instruments, cats, and renaissance festivals.

	AFAYA Afaya began dancing at young age taking ballet, tap, and jazz classes thru a local organization, but focused mainly on gymnastics, then in high school she started performing and competing with the dance team. In the spring of 2007 she attended a dance festival and took a work shop with Tribal Evolution, it was there she found a love for belly dance and this wonderful group of ladies and is now a member of the TE family. Afaya dances with her youngest daughter Skye, an Echo member, and husband Mike, an Element drummer, and is also the photographer for the troupe.

	BLAZE Blaze started dancing when she was a child; Tap, Jazz, ballet; all the usual classes. In 1997 she saw her first live bellydancer and have been in love with the dance form ever since. She started taking Egyptian and Cabaret but never felt quite 'right'; it wasn't until she found Tribal Fusion did she find her home! When not dancing, Blaze enjoys creating costumes & gowns for herself and others (check out her website at www.CrimsonVision.net), Medieval & Renaissance reenactment with the SCA (www.SCA.org) as well as spending time with her Husband, three pugs & two cats!

	NALANI Nalani's dance experience includes teaching and performing belly dance for the past ten years. She enjoys sewing and creating unique costuming for Tribal Evoluiton. Her other interests are playing piano, zills and drums.