Bios
About Talisman Dance Company
The founding members of Talisman Dance Company have been dancing together since 2002 in various ensembles with styles ranging from tribal fusion to folkloric to Raqs Sharqi. In 2006 Heather, Elizabeth, and Laura decided to form their own dance company, drawing from their diverse dance experience and training and years of performing together. Talisman Dance Company is the result of that collaboration.
Heather
Heather has been studying Middle Eastern dance forms since 2001. Early in her dance career she focused on tribal fusion styles, studying extensively with Heather Stants of Urban Tribal Dance Company, and performing with UTDC's student troupe and with the tribal fusion performance troupe Atash Maya. In 2003 her focus shifted to Raqs Sharqi “cabaret” styles of belly dance while studying with Jim Boz. She shortly thereafter became a founding member and assistant director of the troupe Sandstorm.
Heather has performed as a solo artist in restaurants, coffee houses, Renaissance Faires, and at Burning Man and similar art festivals.
In 2006 Heather, Elizabeth, and Laura, all former members of Sandstorm, founded Talisman Dance Company, with Heather as artistic director. In addition to American and Egyptian styles of belly dance, Heather also studies Argentine Tango.
Elizabeth
With a dance background in jazz and hip hop, Elizabeth discovered Middle Eastern Dance in 1999 at a local community center in Mountain View, CA. She was immediately hooked.
After moving to San Diego in 2002, Elizabeth joined Sandstorm, the Jim Boz Dance Company, as one of the original members. She has also won acclaim as a solo performer, dancing in both large stage productions and in smaller venues such as Claire de Lune café. One of Elizabeth's favorite performances was dancing for the Brothers of the Baladi show at the Kava Lounge.
One of the best things about dance is the friendships formed along the way. Elizabeth is proud to dance with Heather and Laura. They are a source of inspiration and joy to her.
Laura
Laura was inspired to take belly dance classes after seeing three dancers at a friend's fashion show in 2000. The dancers looked mysterious and beautiful to her. Only a few weeks later, she was taking belly dance classes every Wednesday night with Meleah. At first she was only interested in getting some exercise, since she found the gym boring. Then she discovered costumes.
She realized she would never be able to wear the costumes she loved unless she performed. She bought her first costume from Meleah, who then encouraged her to dance at a SAMEDA student show. She was terrified when the time came to actually take the stage. Something must have happened to her that night, because she's been entertaining audiences ever since.
Laura has performed as a soloist in venues ranging from Claire du Lune to a benefit at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Laura is also a founding member of Sandstorm, joining in 2003. Dancing with Heather and Elizabeth just felt right to her. In 2006 she became one of the founding members and principal dancers for Talisman Dance Company.
What Laura loves about Middle Eastern dance is that she always finds something new to learn, leading to new paths in expressing art though movement.