Thread: Please tell me about Carolina Nericcio?

I have a small amount of information about her, enough to be very excited that she is coming here to teach a workshop! However....I'm not an ATS (or any version of Tribal) dancer, so I'm not sure what to expect or what I should be looking to get out of the workshop?

I've taken workshops with RB and Sharon Kihara before, and have always felt waaaaay out of my element. Tribal in any form, while I love watching it, does not resonate with me at all. I'm all Raks Sharqi. Yet I don't want to pass up the opportunity to study with Carolina because I know it will be valuable.

Thoughts? Advice?

I'm wondering how valuable the workshop will be if you can't follow along, or are not into that style?

Sorry but I can't help answer your questions!

I'm a Cabaret guy myself, but once upon a time took a WS from her - she's a VERY clear instructor and eager to answer questions - even "stupid" ones. We learned how to switch off the lead in the Tribal style.

I'm going to her workshop next week in Saskatoon, SK - and can't wait.

I'm more of a cabaret dancer too, with a little fusion ATS on the side but nothing hardcore.... but it's Carolina Nericcio!!! Why wouldn't I go, and to get a chance to dance on the same stage in the gala show..... wow!

I guessing she'll offer the same Tribal:Pura workshop for you.
Good news - there's stuff in the program that can be transferred between genres.

They're scheduled to cover:
Belly Dance Aerobic Warm-up and Temple Dance Stretch
True Tribal Basics & Tribal Combinations
Use Your Inspiration Wisely
Zils!
Improvisational Choreography
The Trick to Spins and Turns
Beyond Basics: Floorwork

I have no answer for you that relates to your question, just a big brain fart leading to a description of another Carolina. On the other hand, I would be very interested in FCBD Carolina, just to meet here and take a class since what she has done has really impacted/made ATS.

Previous post about another wonderful Carolina just because I like her. Sorry. slink off for a nap...
Morocco is wonderful. She has a real east coast big city dry sense of humor and is VERY knowledgeable. She's been doing this for a long time and is quite good, She teaches routines by repetition (does a phrase 3-4 times, then adds another phrase, repeat all 3-4 times, etc). I had abit of panic the first couple repetitions, but hang in there and it gets stuffed into your body memory. I saw beginners doing fine as she is happy to break things down also. And expects you to take the routines home, change and modify bits for other dances,

She also shares a lot of info about a bunch of different places, dances, etc of near and middle east dance/dancers.

She does raqs sharqi, does not do ATS. Actually, it might be funny to ask her if she would, oh dear. I have been to a couple intensives out here in WA by Auntie Rocky, very much wish I could get to NY for weeklongs.

Originally Posted by jaziri

Morocco is wonderful.

Jaziri--wrong Carolina, though I agree with your descriptions of the fab Aunt Rocky (aka Morocco, aka Carolina Varga Dinicu).

She means Carolina Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance.

I think a workshop with Carolena will be much different from a workshop with Rachel or Sharon. Their styles are fusion, and the snake-y movements that they do feel odd on me too as an Oriental dancer. I think Carolena's ATS will be a little closer to our movement vocab. I've never done a w/s with Carolena either but I would say it's a must!

Originally Posted by Monica

Jaziri--wrong Carolina, though I agree with your descriptions of the fab Aunt Rocky (aka Morocco, aka Carolina Varga Dinicu).

She means Carolina Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance.

Oh crap, brain fart. Off to change and slink off.

My main style is old school AmCab but I took classes with Carolina in Sf and she's an excellent teacher. she's very clear on her (highly-stylised) movement vocabulary, she does belly work, floor work and zills which a lot of modern egyptian style teachers don't cover.

I'd say that if you can manage the $$, it would be worth exploring.

Thanks ladies, thats the kind of info I was looking for. I'm very excited!

Tabitha, to answer your question, I like to try to reach beyond my comfort zone occasionally, and feel that in order to develop as a dancer, it is beneficial to try all different styles. As a performer and teacher, I don't want to stagnate. And like Caasious said....Its Carolina Nericcio!! I'm not going to turn that opportunity down just because of past experience. I just wanted more information on what she teaches. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up being an ATS convert! .w.:

Originally Posted by jaziri

Oh crap, brain fart. Off to change and slink off.

No slinking! It was an honest and sweet mistake. :)

I am a big, big fan, and of course think it's the greatest to study with Carolena ;-)

As others said - she is a very organized, professional and precise teacher. The scientist in me responds very well to this style of teaching. She's got a nice sense of humor, and is interested in sharing, which makes learning from her fun.

ATS is group improv - you have a well-defined set of moves (which are executed with precision), and a set of rules for combining these in an improv environment. Sounds restrictive - but it is basically a lot of common sense that does not restirct, but rather allow for having a good time doing group improv. It has very little to do with the tribal fusion one sees at the BDSS - I don't care for that style of dancing, but I love ATS.

It may not be everybody's cuppa - if somebody does not want to do group improv under any circumstances, an ATS workshop is obviously not the right choice ;-) If somebody is very much into the free creation of new moves, and into spontaneous layering whenever the spirit moves them - again, it may be good to skip this. Now, given my view of the world - I think that a workshop with her can be beneficial even for those whose focus is more on oriental. The idea of well-organized leading-and-following is always good, and the way it is implemented in ATS is definitely not useless for other branches of bellydance.

Even though actually structured group improvisation is not my cuppa, I would consider going to a workshop with Carolena if she were in my neck of the woods.

The "follow the cues" methodology isn't so different from a technique taught in modern dance known as "flocking" for managing a group dynamic on stage. It's a good skill for any ensemble dancer to have.

There's nothing like taking a workshop from the person who *defined* a style to help you form an honest, educated opinion about the style. Too many people have decided they dislike a style because either they have seen it represented by someone who doesn't do it particularly well, or because they have sampled a class taught by someone who doesn't teach it particularly well. It's always best to form your opinions by going to the source.

As a teacher, if I get a student who has previously studied ATS, I can find it helpful to understand something about what she may have previously learned and what the rationale behind it was so I can work with her more effectively.

If you can afford it, I say go for it! There's value in (1) working outside your comfort zone, (2) expanding your movement vocabulary, (3) taking a class from someone who taught/influenced other dancers you like.

Go w/ an open mind and a willingness to look clumsy -- you're a beginner in her format and movement style, so that's normal. And have fun!

(I've never taken from CN, just tried one class at FCBD. This is the pep talk I give myself re: trying any new dance class.)

So many skilled and creative dancers have some connection to her. You never know how it might influence *you* too.

Caroleena is amazing.

And it will be *very* different than a Rachel Brice or a Sharon workshop. I've done workshops (about 4) with Rachel, and also with other members of the Indio/BDSS "tribal" contingent (Zoe, Mardi, Moria, and several with Kami) and I can tell you that it's definitely different. Remember, that is tribal *fusion* not true tribal improvisational belly dance so the material that is covered is much different. Also, the fusion class format tends to be: warm up (usually an intense yoga warmup), followed by lots of movement drills, and then maybe a few short combos or a very short choreography.

In contrast, Caroleena's Tribal Pura is more diverse, focusing on teaching both her standard basic ATS movements all the way through more advanced moves. Each day, she presents a learning experience that isn't just "here's the movement" but encourages the class to really get the ATS experience by forming a chorus, working in duets, trios, etc. And, if she's doing it in your class, her discussion on dance anatomy is fabulous.

I started out as a primarily cabaret dancer (and still do that style today) but love my tribal. As Shira said, the group improv style can be utilized in your classes and is definitely worth checking out. I think you'll find a lot of helpful information and don't worry - she starts out slow for people who haven't had much tribal so I htink you'll be fine :)

I can't tell you anything from a personal point of view but she and FCBD do what I like ...ATS..real time as we say!
She is a goddess (were I into goddess stuff) and watching them on film is a joy.
And I can tell you she is one of the dancers who when I asked for help and permission to use their material for the book I am complinig on costuming to seel for Justbecause.replied..anything I can do to help...so she's ace in my book..ah yes the book... almost done.....

I was just at a Tribal Pura workshop with her and her protégé, Megha, last weekend. It was really awesome! Like others have mentioned, Carolena is very serious and won't put up with yacking during a workshop. She has a little low-toned whistle that she pulls out if people's attention starts to wander! She does have a subtle, dry sense of humor so she doesn't come off like a total slave driver! She just wants everyone to get the most out of the class.

Carolena taught some of the classes and Megha taught others. The content wasn't pure ATS. Carolena did a class on belly rolls and flutters which are her one of her specialties and she did explain it in such a way that I felt I could eventually grasp it with practice. Also, she did a class on spins and taught spotting. I've gotten brief advice on spotting from other instructors, but it never really helped. Carolena broke it down in such a way that I was starting to get it by the end of the class.

She is a bit aloof, but approachable, and graciously answered questions and posed for photos with students.

I drove down to Milan, Italy, to take a workshop with Carolena and Megha and it was worth it.
Even though I have all her videos, worked through them and have been into ATS for about 9 years, it was great to get things re-explained from the source.

And it felt good to be able to tell her "thank you - for everything!" in person!

MEISSOUN

I haven't taken any workshops from Carolena in ages, but I really enjoyed the workshops I took waaaaaay back in the early 90's. It wasn't all just improv either. She had excellent points on anatomy.

I would think that anyone who is interested in any art form would do anything do take a class with not only a legend and if not the very first, the first important defining creator of that art form. For American Tribal Dance that would be no one other than Carolina. She started it and promoted it and everything after her is innovation and/or evolution.

I've taken the Pura workshops three times and I still learn new things, even back to my baby basic beginner stuff. Even if you don't end up wanting to do ATS/tribal I think it's still helpful to have a basic knowledge of the major BD styles in case you're teaching people from different backgrounds. If you do decide to dip your toe into the tribal pool it's great to get a chance to learn from the source. So much tribal is diluted via a bad game of dance telephone, where the beginning wasn't right and each new person doesn't hear things correctly and misinformation is passed along and suddenly there's tribal that has almost no basis in it's origin. If you have definite questions make sure to ask them, Carolena is a very patient and gracious teacher.

I must admit I am also a bit prejudiced towards liking Carolena because I get the impression we have the same kind of brain regarding dance. At one of the Pura workshops she talked about her dance background and how she developed ATS and how she thinks about it and I kept thinking, "Yeah!" and my dance partners were looking at each other thinking, "Amy is eating this up."

I also like to refer to a quote from an online journal (Bare Feet) that I've used on my blog, regarding the dancer's experience taking a workshop with Carolena in 2004. It really sums up how I feel about learning from her:

. . . . Being in Carolena’s presence is like standing at the source of a mighty river, just at the place where the water is its purest. There’s a sense of vastness there. You know that the droplets from that very spot will travel downstream and intermingle with water from other sources and become huge and impressive- so much so that the spring, itself, can seem impressive, even if it’s really very small. And she is. She’s one woman, but she’s the beginning. Learning from her is more powerful than learning from someone further down the stream because so much of what we do sprang from her.