Inna Dagman
Founder, Troupe Leader
Inna has had a passion for dance her whole life, however, finding belly dance represents a transformative moment in her evolution as a woman, artist, and healer. This ancient feminine form of movement first entranced Inna in 2010, in San Francisco CA at the legendary Fat Chance Belly Dance® studio, the birth place of the now world-renowned American Tribal Style® Belly Dance. She witnessed women of a variety of shapes, ages, and backgrounds dancing together as empowered sisters. The room was filled with joy, pride, and the magnetic power of the feminine. Inna was hooked. Since that moment years ago Inna has become an acclaimed tribal belly dancer, teaching and performing regularly in the Santa Cruz area and beyond. In 2013 Inna completed the General Skills in ATS® training and received the blessing to teach from Carolena Nericcio, the creator of this style. In 2014 Inna was honored to be invited to be a part of Persephone Dance Company, where she danced until 2018. All through those years Inna was also concurrently teaching classes and directing a student troupe. After the pause that Covid created, the vision came in that it was time to develop her ‘dream troupe’ - and that dream comes into manifestation every time she dances with Maya, Michelle, Angelei, & Dana. With this potent and talented group of women, Inna yearns to keep discovering, and expressing the deep mysteries of the feminine through dance.
Inna is also a healer, specializing in Craniosacral bodywork, as well as a ceremonialist. As a teacher and troupe leader she leans into her knowledge of body and soul energetics and allows them to help her weave a dance environment that is deeply intentional, rigorous, healing, and at times, transformative.
Founder, Troupe Leader
Inna has had a passion for dance her whole life, however, finding belly dance represents a transformative moment in her evolution as a woman, artist, and healer. This ancient feminine form of movement first entranced Inna in 2010, in San Francisco CA at the legendary Fat Chance Belly Dance® studio, the birth place of the now world-renowned American Tribal Style® Belly Dance. She witnessed women of a variety of shapes, ages, and backgrounds dancing together as empowered sisters. The room was filled with joy, pride, and the magnetic power of the feminine. Inna was hooked. Since that moment years ago Inna has become an acclaimed tribal belly dancer, teaching and performing regularly in the Santa Cruz area and beyond. In 2013 Inna completed the General Skills in ATS® training and received the blessing to teach from Carolena Nericcio, the creator of this style. In 2014 Inna was honored to be invited to be a part of Persephone Dance Company, where she danced until 2018. All through those years Inna was also concurrently teaching classes and directing a student troupe. After the pause that Covid created, the vision came in that it was time to develop her ‘dream troupe’ - and that dream comes into manifestation every time she dances with Maya, Michelle, Angelei, & Dana. With this potent and talented group of women, Inna yearns to keep discovering, and expressing the deep mysteries of the feminine through dance.
Inna is also a healer, specializing in Craniosacral bodywork, as well as a ceremonialist. As a teacher and troupe leader she leans into her knowledge of body and soul energetics and allows them to help her weave a dance environment that is deeply intentional, rigorous, healing, and at times, transformative.
Maya Goytia
Dancer, Assistant Troupe Leader
Maya has been dancing with performing groups since the age of 8. Her first introductions into dance were in ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop. During high school she continued to study modern and hip hop along with Hula. In college, Maya continued focusing in modern dance, and started to explore African dance in the Santa Cruz Community. After the birth of her son she found it vital to find a dance community with like-minded women. Maya took a belly dance class with Inna at the Tannery Arts Center for the first time in 2015, where she found the sisterhood she could feel her heart longing for. Since then Maya has continued to study and dance with Inna and has traveled to dance with other ATS® troupes. Maya attended the ATS® General Skills and Teacher Training in 2017. She has led troupe performances, taught level 1 & 2, and continues to support Inna as an Assistant Troupe Leader. Outside of the troupe she is a mama, animal lover, and nature explorer. Her heart and soul is nourished in her continuous dedication to sharing the healing power of dance with her troupe-sisters, students, and community.
Dancer, Assistant Troupe Leader
Maya has been dancing with performing groups since the age of 8. Her first introductions into dance were in ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop. During high school she continued to study modern and hip hop along with Hula. In college, Maya continued focusing in modern dance, and started to explore African dance in the Santa Cruz Community. After the birth of her son she found it vital to find a dance community with like-minded women. Maya took a belly dance class with Inna at the Tannery Arts Center for the first time in 2015, where she found the sisterhood she could feel her heart longing for. Since then Maya has continued to study and dance with Inna and has traveled to dance with other ATS® troupes. Maya attended the ATS® General Skills and Teacher Training in 2017. She has led troupe performances, taught level 1 & 2, and continues to support Inna as an Assistant Troupe Leader. Outside of the troupe she is a mama, animal lover, and nature explorer. Her heart and soul is nourished in her continuous dedication to sharing the healing power of dance with her troupe-sisters, students, and community.
Michelle Abodeely
Dancer, Level 1 Substitute Teacher
Michelle found dance in a profound way when she moved to Santa Cruz 15 years ago. Being introduced to West African Drum and Dance opened her world of learning to traditional and ancient dance. Upon discovering the rhythms and movements were taught to the people by the earth itself, as the story is told, ignited a love and passion for tribal dancing Michelle had never known before. Throwing herself into the study of dance has been her passion and lifeline ever since. From African to Brazilian to Haitian, and finally to movements based in the Arab and Oriental style called Belly Dance, moving with fulfillment in a tribe of sisters is a blessing Michelle is ever grateful for. The magic and wonder of watching her teachers Inna and Maya dance (inside of a chocolate shop!) was an awe-inspiration that began years ago and led Michelle to her first level 1 dance class (where she met Dana), just before the world shut down due to covid. Fortunately Inna did not miss a beat and began her classes online, allowing Michelle to continue her study and her love affair with ATS®. Rejoining in person at the park, and then in the studio, and joining with her new dance sister Angelei, felt like a coming home to divine light and how it moves within us. Michelle considers it an honor and deep privilege to practice the age old knowing that dance, itself, is life.
Angelei Star
Dancer, Level 1 Substitute Teacher
Even before we are born we are dancing. Our moms sway their hips to sooth us and we just keep moving. I was so fortunate to start dance classes at ten years old. I started with hip hop, jazz, tap, hula, and even a little belly dancing! Learning how to sway my hips was how I began to deepen connection with my body, listen to my body..and so much more. Dancing in class or not was critical in all aspects of my life. American Tribal Style® Belly dance came into my life 7 years ago when I took my first class with our amazing teacher Inna. I fell in love. It was my warm bath after long days. The power of the feminine energy cultivated with such specific technique, and high level of improvisational presence soothes my soul and nourishes my growth. Even when I moved away two years later I kept up with practice and performance inspired by this style. Now trained and invigorated by other styles of dance in LA, like burlesque and Bollywood, I am so stoked to be taking ATS to the next level with our troupe. If it was my warm bath when I started, now it’s my hot tut! I am grateful to get to rejuvenate and collaborate, as well as be held accountable with these incredible women. The amount of material, stylization, musicality, technique, etc., that we cover in class could be delved into for lifetimes. Whenever I dance I feel the support of the troupe. I feel the support of all my generations who have danced before and will dance after me. I feel the support of my mothers womb. I feel the inherent support that comes from within whenever we fulfill our hearts desires.
Dancer, Level 1 Substitute Teacher
Even before we are born we are dancing. Our moms sway their hips to sooth us and we just keep moving. I was so fortunate to start dance classes at ten years old. I started with hip hop, jazz, tap, hula, and even a little belly dancing! Learning how to sway my hips was how I began to deepen connection with my body, listen to my body..and so much more. Dancing in class or not was critical in all aspects of my life. American Tribal Style® Belly dance came into my life 7 years ago when I took my first class with our amazing teacher Inna. I fell in love. It was my warm bath after long days. The power of the feminine energy cultivated with such specific technique, and high level of improvisational presence soothes my soul and nourishes my growth. Even when I moved away two years later I kept up with practice and performance inspired by this style. Now trained and invigorated by other styles of dance in LA, like burlesque and Bollywood, I am so stoked to be taking ATS to the next level with our troupe. If it was my warm bath when I started, now it’s my hot tut! I am grateful to get to rejuvenate and collaborate, as well as be held accountable with these incredible women. The amount of material, stylization, musicality, technique, etc., that we cover in class could be delved into for lifetimes. Whenever I dance I feel the support of the troupe. I feel the support of all my generations who have danced before and will dance after me. I feel the support of my mothers womb. I feel the inherent support that comes from within whenever we fulfill our hearts desires.
Dana Schlick
Dancer
Dana was drawn to ATS® when first witnessing the mesmerizing magnetism of the Shekinah Troupe in a Downtown Santa Cruz street performance. She began her ATS® journey in 2019. This sacred movement awakens her inner fire, grounds her with the feminine earth wisdom, and nourishes her soul through the power of sisterhood uniting in this ancient way of ritual dance. This art form expands her creative expression, and sparks a remembrance of the profundity of opening to the Goddess through dance. She weaves bellydance into her Priestessing and ritual work in the world.
Dancer
Dana was drawn to ATS® when first witnessing the mesmerizing magnetism of the Shekinah Troupe in a Downtown Santa Cruz street performance. She began her ATS® journey in 2019. This sacred movement awakens her inner fire, grounds her with the feminine earth wisdom, and nourishes her soul through the power of sisterhood uniting in this ancient way of ritual dance. This art form expands her creative expression, and sparks a remembrance of the profundity of opening to the Goddess through dance. She weaves bellydance into her Priestessing and ritual work in the world.
