LaRa

Image by Sequoia Emmanuelle Photography La Rafirst became entrance by the art of Belly Dance while watching some original members of Urban Tribal Dance Company at the Southern California Renaissance Faire. Years later, at the age of eighteen (1999), she found Cabaret Style classes by such well-known instructors as Catharae, Amara & Shahira. In 2003, she sought out Tribal Style classes and, shortly thereafter, found Rachel Lazarus Soto of Devadasi-World Fusion Dance (a Tribal Fusion dance troupe). After a few months of studying exclusively with Rachel, she was invited to become a member of Devadasi. One of her final performances with Devadasi, "Asian Magic," is to be remembered forever on the first ever Tribal Fusion performance DVD, "Evolution." Outside projects and instruction by Sabrina Fox later led her to realize her dream of becoming a core member of Atash Maya Dance Company (a Tribal Fusion & Fire Performance dance troupe), based in San Diego, California. After a few years, LaRa relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah & continues to dance and teach, as both a soloist and as the Director of Barefoot Belly Dane, Utah's only Tribal Style and Fire Fusion Dance Company. In addition to that, LaRa has been Teacher Certified in ATS (American Tribal Style) by Caroleena Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance & has been teaching ATS & Tribal Fusion since 2004 in the form of classes, private lessons & workshops nationwide. LaRa is also known for her knowledge of Anatomy/Physiology--particularly Structural Kinesiology--to enhance her instruction and limit injury due to her background as a Holistic Health Practitioner & Massage Therapy Instructor.