ACCALIA

The Beginnings At 19, she was captivated by the strong, sinuous movements of the duo, GaiaPente, who were illuminated by the moonlight and the flames of fire dancers. She had never taken interest in belly dance until this moment. She would explain fusion belly dance to someone who has never seen it as "traditional belly dance’s badass sister"; as its unique art form. Accalia reveres the dance style as a living art form - ever-challenging, and always full of fresh possibility. She began taking lessons with Tara of GaiaPente not long after she first saw fusion belly dance performed on that summer night in 2006. Ongoing Dance Education Accalia has been practicing fusion belly dance for 8 years, studying in Winnipeg and at workshops in San Fransisco & Sebastopol, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and she has completed Rachel Brice's 8 Elements™ Phase 1: Initiation with recognition in Portland, Oregon. Professional Performance and Instruction Accalia performs at special events, restaurants and festivals. She has performed with various electronic music DJs, creating fresh, innovative interpretations of belly dance by drawing on contemporary dance and urban liquid style. Highlights include Santa Fe's downtempo duo, Desert Dwellers at Shambhala, The Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition (MEME), and for DJ Vilify (Montréal). She has collaborated with several local performing artists, including Prairie Sol, Patron of Dreams, GaiaPente, LunaSol, Sidramara, and the fiery duo, Hot & Bothered. Upon beginning teaching in 2012, Accalia hosted Manitoba's first explicitly LGBT* allied belly dance classes. She actively cultivates a positive space for people of all gender and non-gender identities. As a result of this, her classes have maintained a diverse and safe space that allows for learning and discovery. Foundations The tenets of her dance practice include yoga, resistance training and core strengthening exercises, various technique drills, online dance practice resources, and collaboration within the belly dance community. Dance Style She is fascinated with the interplay of dancer and space - the ability to shape the mood, air texture - and to infuse the space with a certain feeling. Her style is characterized by staccato to silky textures, isolations, pops and locks, and choreographed as well as improvised group and solo performances. Props include a fire sword, palm torches, and fire hip belt. Additional Passions Accalia loves writing, long-distance running, spending time with human and nonhuman friends, including her cats, Mortimer and Pablo. Her Bachelor's degree is in Political Science with a focus on International Relations in the Middle East. Accalia is also an avid animal welfare advocate. She has raised funds for Mercy For Animals Canada through her Karma Belly dance Classes, which also promote a plant-based diet and compassionate lifestyle.