Abbie Jean
Fire is one of the most ancient tools for gazing and meditation. Abbie Jean's dance combines powerful artistic movement based on a background of yoga and rock climbing with a deep respect for the ritual aspects of the element of fire. One of the founders of the Burning Desert Fire Collective and a yoga therapist and teacher, Abbie Jean has a profound respect for the movement of the human body and is humbled by this movement when accompanied by fire. Instruments of inspiration: Hoop, fans, fingers, rope dart, poi, umbrella and more to come!
 

Aura
The first time Laura experienced the art of Poi, she was reborn through the fire as Aura. She is enchanted with the powerful dance that harnesses the energy of fire through ever-changing circles, patterns, and design. She loves to weave circles to powerful musical beats, celebrating the Maori women of New Zealand, and to share the sacred art of fire dance. Her dance is a reflection of her inner water spirit that has a constant desire to embrace the fire elementals of life. Aura performs Middle Eastern dance and practices poi, contact staff, fans, palm torches and more.
 

Hot Will
Power, passion, energy, fury. Hot Will first came to fire after watching a performance ritual in 2006. He found a strong desire to embrace the firey arts, and excelled quickly. He believes that daily practice is the key to creating incredible performance. His approach to fire dance comes from a love of driving bass and powerful movement. Will works with fire poi, staff, rope dart, double staff, snakes, and continues learning new instruments all the time.
 

Nathan
Nathan enjoys the spirit of play and mirth in his dealings with the goddess we call fire. It is his inherent belief in the healing power of laughter, fire, and levity that works to keep Nathan forever ensconsed in the spirit of the child. It is with this sense of childlike wonder that Nathan strives to bring to every performance a sense of daring and spirit. Nathan feels the same amazement with fire as he did at 12, and hopes to maintain the youthful frame of mind until his hand can no longer grasp the blazing staff of youth.
 

Sarah
Fire is the most tangible of all visible mysteries. As a life-long student of the mystical worlds, Sarah uses fire dancing as a tool for self-study and expression. At first sight of inspired fire dancing, she had a cathartic knowing of the ancient ways dancing can bring communities together. As a fiery, often red-headed, Leo who chose to be born the year of the Fire Dragon, blazing fire just seems natural. She scintillatingly spins poi, combat staff, torches, fire fans, palm candles, and is always strengthening her repertoire. Let the girl dance!
 

Satya
After first experiencing fire dance, Satya became enamoured. She found a strong desire to bring this incredible art form to the Grand Valley, as well as add it to her own life experience. After many years of training and teaching Tribal Style belly dance, she began importing teachers and traveling across the state to study fire dance. Satya's grace and stage presence bring an enchantment to her performance, and create a beautiful elemental expression. She is proficient in fire poi, staff, fans, fire eating and fleshing and also works with fire fingers, palm torches, hoop and double staff.
 

The Strangefellow
The Strangefellow, aka Ryan, enjoys the challenge and primal expression that comes with spinning fire. One of the founding members of the Burning Desert Fire Collective, Ryan moves with a bounding grace blending soulful expression with fiery passion, incorporating elements of fire hula hoop, fire staff, fire poi and fire fans. This Capricorn dragon has woven fire performance into his life since an all-night post-burn fire-hooping experience at Burning Man 2005.
 

Terry the Fire Temptress
The Temptress has been dancing and teaching semi-professionally for nearly 20 years. Fire dancing started with the idea of incorporating it into the repetoire of her Tribal Belly Dance troupe in late 2005. Presently she works with poi, fans and staff but experiments with a variety of other toys and tools. Watch out for her fierce fire whip! After experiencing the beauty and complexity of fire dance, it has become more of a stand alone activity with its own passion and enthusiasm.