Damiana Dance Company was co-founded in 2014 by Jen Cerdena and Cara Cressell in beautiful Washington State. Jen and Cara have been dancing and performing American Tribal Style® (ATS®) bellydance together since 2009 when they joined their dance sisters to form Davina Tribal Collective, in Northern Utah. Their love affair with ATS started in 2001 when Jen and Cara first experienced this innovative tribal art form. After their individual moves from Utah to Washington State in late 2012, Jen and Cara continued to dance together, remaining committed to learning and performing FatChance BellyDance (FCBD®) ATS®. They travel together, sharing and performing their love of ATS with audiences across the United States. ATS® is a modern style of improvisational belly dance created by Carolena Nericcio of San Francisco, CA. It is based on traditional, folkloric, and Indian movements. However, the name "American Tribal Style®" distinguishes this form of dance as a distinctly American invention, not a traditional style of belly dance. "Tribal Style" describes the dancers working together as a group with a "tribal" look. For more info about FatChanceBellyDance®, Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman, and American Tribal Style® belly dance, please visit: www.fcbd.com As co-directors of DamianaDanceCompany, Jen and Cara are both FCBD® Teacher Trained/Certified and hold Sister Studio status. Individually, they have different styles of dance experience that they bring to the troupe. They love ATS® and thoroughly enjoy sharing their love of it with the community. Jen anc Cara teach ATS® in Bellingham, WA as well as across the Seattle/Tacoma area. They are also available for events and workshops! Please feel free to contact us if you would like more information and have a wonderful day!

Jen Cerdena

Co-Founder & Co-Director

Jen is a certified ATS® Belly Dance Instructor and Sister Studio. Since her beginnings in American Tribal Style®, she has been fascinated and dedicated to the wonderful structure, connectivity, and tribal community found in this dance art form, gaining joy from seeing a group of women dancing together as one. Her style of teaching offers discipline in the art form, focusing on great technique to take dancers to the next stage in their ATS dance growth. In her classes, Jen aims to fuse the science of anatomy and the beauty and asthetic of ATS. Jen is a co-founder and co-director of Damiana Dance Company (2014) as well as a co-founder and core member of Davina Tribal Collective (2009). Since 2007, she has earned her General Skills, Teacher Training I, and Teacher Training II Certifications as well as Sister Studio Status from FatChanceBellyDance's® Carolena Nericcio, creator of American Tribal Style® Belly Dance. She continues to take workshops and private sessions to continue her personal learning and growth in ATS. Jen offers weekly classes and private lessons in the Seattle/Tacoma area and enjoys traveling to bring her love and passion of ATS to audiences around the United States. She’s been dancing in various styles since she was a toddler and belly dancing since 2000. Her love of ATS, hip hop, and classical dance is sprinkled throughout her solo performances as well. She performs solo as well as in troupe at various venues and shows offering tribal fusion, sword, fire, and ATS performances. Jen has regularly scheduled ATS classes in Bonney Lake, WA on Monday evenings. Additionally, she offers private sessions across Seattle and the South Sound. Contact Jen for more details!

Cara Cressell

Co-Founder & Co-Director

Cara is a certified ATS® Belly Dance Instructor and Sister Studio. Cara has travelled the world extensively studying music and dance. She plays a variety of world percussion instruments including Djembe, Dunbek, Tabla, Rik, and frame drums. She has studied many folk, gypsy, and classical dances in India, Ireland, Turkey, and the Americas. She has found her true passion in the study, performance, and instruction of American Tribal Style® bellydance. Cara is a co-founder and co-director of Damiana Dance Company (2014). She earned her General Skills, Teacher Training I, and Teacher Training II Certifications as well as Sister Studio Status from FatChanceBellyDance's® Carolena Nericcio, creator of American Tribal Style® Belly Dance, in 2012. She continues to take workshops and private sessions to continue her personal learning and growth in ATS. Cara offers FCBD® ATS® instruction and private/semi private lessons in Bellingham and northern Seattle and enjoys traveling to bring her love and passion of ATS to audiences around the United States. Cara is based in Bellingham, WA and offers private sessions in Bellingham and across Seattle and the North Sound. Contact Cara for more details!

A FatChanceBellyDance ® Sister Studio