Photo Gallery of Dancers and Friends:
Daughters of Sophia, August 2008
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The original members danced together at Renaissance Faires and SCA events for about two years before forming the troupe in Jan 2004. The troupe draws its name from Sophia, the goddess of female wisdom. Sophia represents Spirit embedded in Matter.
Daughters of Sophia and the Gypsy Caravan are available to appear at your special event in New Jersey and the surrounding area. For booking information and availability, contact ashtar@daughtersofsophia.com, or call (732) 206 - 0699.
Ashtar, Feast of Sarah 2006
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Ashtar is another name for Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love, fertility, passion and war. In Arabic "ashtar" means "superb" or "the cleverest". Ashtar is the owner of the Gypsy Theater Caravan and artistic director of the Daughters of Sophia Tribal Dance Troupe. She is also the troupe dance instructor, costumer, and stage manager.
Ashtar's background includes more decades than she cares to admit to studying, performing and teaching Imperial Russian Style classical ballet. Her most important teachers were Natasa Boskovic and Mavis Walters. Her jazz training was acquired from Chuck Kelley, her T'ai Chi training from Master Jou, Tsung Hwa, and her knowledge of Afro-Cuban dance, Eastern European folk dance, yoga, and other physical culture and dance forms was acquired informally. She has been teaching people how to dance since 1975, and has choreographed and staged ensemble pieces such as "Roumanian Rhapsody", "Aurora's Wedding", and "Polovetsian Dances from Prince Igor", directing as many as fifty dancers at a time. Her stage appearances include Lincoln-Center-in-the-Park with the Laura Veldhuis Experimental Dance Troupe, the Broadway Dance Festival at the Bijou Theater on Broadway in 1975, and performances as a soloist with the American Chamber Dance Company in New York City during the 1970's.
For more pictures of Ashtar dancing with the Troupe click here, click on her name-button to the left, or click on her name-button in the Gallery Section at the top of the page.
Avani, Feast of Sarah 2006
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Avani (uh-VAH-nee) means "Earth" in Sanskrit. Avani began her dance training with ballet when she was a child. She then studied jazz, the Jose Limon technique of Modern Dance, and caberet-style bellydance. She discovered Ashtar's troupe while she was searching for a dance instructor who could teach her a new form of dance (Tribal Style Bellydance) and improve her overall technique. Avani is also an animal-rights advocate, a vegan, and is a graduate in Nutrition at Rutgers University.
For more pictures of Avani click here, click on her name-button to the left, or click on her name-button in the Gallery Section at the top of the page.
Nadirah August 2008
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Nadirah (nah-DEE-rah) means "pinnacle or precious" in the Vedic tradition. Nadirah joins us from the American Southwest where she was first introduced to Tribal Style bellydance in 2004. She has been performing since she was eleven years old. She is a clasically trained singer and has a background in Chamber, Jazz, and Show Choir. She also has over twelve years experience playing the piano.
For more pictures of Nadirah click here, click on her name-button to the left, or click on her name-button in the Gallery Section at the top of the page.
Giovanni
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I'm Giovanni (JOHN). I'm responsible for setup and teardown of the Gypsy Theater Caravan. I build the sets. I push the "play" button. I also built this web site (which is why I get to put my picture here). Can't dance a lick.
Please check out the Gypsy Theater Caravan at TribalDanceArts.com to see the waggon being built.
Cascara August 2008
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Cascara (cass-CAR-ah) means "shell", particularly a sea shell, and was chosen for her by a very special person. Although relatively new to bellydance, she has the performing arts in her blood. A trained singer and actor, she has appeared statewide in numerous plays and musicals. She works professionally as a portrait photographer and digital artist.
For more pictures of Cascara click here, click on her name-button to the left, or click on her name-button in the Gallery Section at the top of the page.
Amarthi August 2008
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Amarthi (uh-MAR -thee). The meaning of Amarthi's name is uniquely her own and is derived from the Vedic tradition. She has a background in Carnic Indian vocals with Vasudha Narayan, and in cabaret-style bellydance with Feliciana. A recent initiate to American Tribal Style bellydance, she primarily cultivated her style through Ashtar at Tribal Dance Arts. Amarthi is a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, is a certified Project Management Professional, and is the owner/operator of "Rubies of Eventide" mmorpg. She is also known for her starring role as Aeriana Onaar, a hacker and pilot in "Venus Rises" , an independent sci-fi vidcast series.
For more pictures of Amarthi click here, click on her name-button to the left, or click on her name-button in the Gallery Section at the top of the page.
Ewahee August 2008
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Ewahee (eh-Wah-hee) means "laughing maiden" in the language of the Lakota. She is of native American descent: Shinnecock on her paternal side and part Cree on her maternal side. Ewahee has a background in Martial Arts which adds to her unique dance style. She is a volunteer with the local First Aid Squad. She also comes from a long line of ghost hunters and is an active member of the Garden State Ghost Hunters Society (GSGHS). In 2007, she was featured on the Travel Channel's Eastern State Penitentiary special with other members of the GSGHS. In 2008, she earned the role of Senior Ghosthunter in a new series co-produced by the GSGHS and Evil Kat Productions.
For more pictures of Ewahee click here, click on her name-button to the left, or click on her name-button in the Gallery Section at the top of the page.
Vorona (Crow) Nov 2006 Hafla
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Vorona (VOH-roh-nuh) means "Crow" in Russian (and yes, she speaks Russian). Vorona is an exceptionally talented dancer who has been in the "Theater Business" since she was a child. Unfortunately for us, she has moved to Long Island and will no longer be able to dance regularly with the Troupe. She will, however, still be performing as a Guest Artist.
Just to confuse everyone, when Vorona danced regularly with us, she danced under the name Re'em (Ray-EM), which means "gazelle" in Arabic.
For more pictures of Vorona click here or click on her name-button to the left.
Fatin
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Fatin (Fah TEEN) is a feminine Arabic word meaning "captivating, alluring and enchanting". Fatin helped found the Troupe and her creative spirit has become an integral part of our dances. Since retiring from the Troupe, renfaires have not been the same. (Then again, remember those 18 performances in 2 weekends in Conneticut!)
2008 Update: Fatin will once again be dancing with us, this time as a Guest Artist.
For more pictures of Fatin click here or click on her name-button to the left.
Sarahe, 2006
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Sarahe (Sar RAH hey) is a feminine Hebrew name meaning "princess". Sarahe bellydanced with us until 2007. She was one of the original members of the Daughters of Sophia Tribal Dance Troupe and performed at Renfaires for five seasons. Sarahe was also the youngest member of the troupe. She was a very quick study and had more original choreography than some dancers twice her age. We miss her sincerely, and remember her fondly.
Sarahe's photo page remains available and can be seen by Clicking Here.
Aislynn, Lakewood RenFaire, 2007
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Aislynn (ACE-lin) is a feminine Gaelic name which means "dream, vision or inspiration". Aislynn bellydanced with us until 2007. She met the Daughters of Sophia at the Lakewood Renfaire in 2003 and began dancing with them and assisting at Renfaires during the 2004 season. The September 2004 Lakewood Renfaire marked her stage debut. She created and executed decorative designs for the stage steps and for the Caravan's waggon wheels. As a dancer, she co-choreographed a fan and sword duet with Sarahe, under the direction of Ashtar. She has moved on in her life and has left her mark. She will always be a part of our family and it is imposible in one sentence to express the impact she has had on our troupe.
Aislynn's photo page remains available and can be seen by Clicking Here.
Yasmin Lakewood RenFaire, 2004
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Yasmin (YAS meen) is a feminine Arabic word or name meaning "jasmine". Yasmin has retired from the Daughters of Sophia Tribal Dance Troupe in order to pursue other interests. We will dearly miss her, and she still maintains a place in our hearts.
Her photo page remains available and can be seen by Clicking Here.
Aysha, Fall Hafla, 2006
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Aysha (EYE-sha) means "she who is alive and well". It is also a variant of the name Aisha, who was the favorite wife of the prophet Mohammed.
Aysha's photo page remains available and can be seen by Clicking Here.
Lluvia, Lakewood Renfair 2006
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Lluvia (JU-vee-ah) means "rain" in Spanish. She hasn't been able to dance with us for a while now, but we hope she'll be back when life allows.
For more pictures of Lluvia click here.
