Lise has loved dance since she was a child, thanks to her parents' deep love and respect for all forms of dance. As a young girl, Lise studied classical ballet, flamenco, jazz (80's style!), mime, theatre and modern dance. In High school Lise performanced in musicals and drama productions. She took a belly dance class in 1992 with an instructor in Vancouver who was heavily influenced by American Tribal Style (ATS) belly dance, and has been smitten ever since.

In 1998 Lise moved to Edmonton and continued to study and perform bellydance as well as Indian Kathak and Rajasthani dance (with Usha Gupta). From 2002-03 she performed with the 'Sisters of the Desert Moon'. In early 2004 Lise became a co-founding member and Principal Dancer of Zaghareet! Tribal BellyDance.

Lise enjoys mixing it up with a variety of styles: tribal fusion, raqs sharqi, Improvisational tribal style and beyond. Recent collaborations with musicians Gautam Karnik (violin, composer) and Mickey Vallee (sound, mixing) have proven to be rather exciting and addictive (more! more!). There's nothing like dancing to live music!!! Her snakes Lilith, Grippledice and Aldagon have been featured in her performances since early 2007. Lise continues to perform as a solist and collaborate on duets and group pieces at gatherings, festivals, haflas, and other events. Lise has taught numerous workshops, semi-private, and private sessions for women from age 8 to 58, as well as BabyBellyDance (prenatal postpartum/non performance bellydance).

Instruction:

Raks Sharqui: Yasmina Ramzy, Anemone Ruder, Taschelia, Hadia, Beata and Horatio (Germany), and Nath Keo

Tribal Style: Gypsy Caravan, Megha (Devyani), Carolena Nericcio (FCBD), Amy Sigil (Unmata), Quinn Donovan (Gypsy Fire), Sahfi (Chiftibelly Bellydance), Ariellah Aflalo, Tribal Feat, Audra (Toronto's Dark Side Studio), Mardi Love, Heather Stants, Kami Liddle, Rachel Brice, Lava, Zoe Jakes, E. Artemis Mourat, Lee Ali, TribalTique!!

Nia: Gloria Michalchuk, Edmonton

Performance highlights:

Dancing to Barb Dwyer's live Hurdy Gurdy at the Joussard North Country Fair (2003); sharing the stage with Yasmina Ramzy (Edmonton 2004); performing to original live music created by Paul Bromley for Zaghareet! at the Fez "Quester's Showcase" at Tribal Quest North West (Aug 2006); belly dancing on stage for the Hidden Cameras at Edmonton's Power Plant (Dec 2006); performing at the Open Stage at the 1st International Canadian Belly Dance Conference (Toronto 2007); sharing the stage with Paulette and Jen of Gypsy Caravan (2007); busking at Edmonton's Fringe Festival 2007 with Zaghareet! and as a guest snakedancer with the Vibe Tribe's outdoor stage show Macabre Circus (2007); hosting Edmonton's first workshops and performance with UNMATA from California, and the exquisite Gypsy Fire from Oregon (Sept 2007). Then there was that fantastic night performing with Laura at the Alberta Beef Cabaret in Nov 2007. Lise had a blast performing as 'HipNaughtica' with Toronto Burlesque troupe SkinTightOuttaSight's New Years 2007 'Raunch N Roll' event at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. Lise has performed with Zaghareet (aka Ladies of the Almeh) at the Knights of the Northern Realm March Masque Medieval Feast and also at the Medieval Tournament for several years running (these events are highlights of our performance year). Lise has also performed at the 2005 Vagina Monologues (Edmonton); and at numerous recitals, festivals and weddings from 2001 to the present.

BabyBellyDance

Lise is the mother of two children (who also love to dance). She has practised as doula (childbirth attendant), herbalist, and instructor of prenatal-post partum bellydance classes. Lise has trained with Pam England (Birthing from Within), with a midwife, and at Grant MacEwan's DONA (Doulas of North America) doula training course.

Lise truly believes that dance fosters self confidence and trust in one's abilities... and that this is an excellent headspace to be in, to give birth.

Description: This is a non-performance based class (we do not learn a choreopgraphy or work towards a student performance). This class is designed to provide mothers of new babies and mothers-to-be, with a fun, safe, and creative form of exercise and empowerment. The gentle curriculum helps build a comfortable range of movement and body knowledge throughout your body’s changes during pregnancy and afterwards, and it gently builds muscle stamina helpful for birthing and life with a baby. Breastfeeding moms and pre-walking infants welcome! Class structure allows for feeding/diapering breaks. Mothers, sisters, friends, partners are also welcome! All levels of skill are welcome. Note:  Please consult your doctor/midwife, especially before undertaking in any new exercise program.

Private or Semi-private lessons can be arranged (even in the comfort of your own home). Note: Lise currently not offering any regular studio-based classes. Stay tuned for future offerings.

For more information contact Lise at mamalise@gmail.com

Link to Mamalise website (underconstruction)
Link to article by Lise published in Birth Issues Magazine