Main Stage
Main Stage 1 & Main Stage 2, 2012
The two Main Stage performances (Main Stage 1 & Main Stage 2) take place at the Lithuanian House on Thursday and Friday May 3 & 4, 2012. These elite artists have travelled the globe to participate at the IBCC with their submissions chosen from over 120 applicants by a jury of esteemed Middle Eastern dance experts.
Main Stage I - Thursday, May 3, 8:00pm
Main Stage II - Friday, May 4, 8:00pm
Tickets: $25/adv, $30 Door - 416.920.5593
Order tickets online here
Ala Nar
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
The Ala Nar Dance Ensemble is led by Studio and Troupe Director Joharah of Oakville’s BellyUpBellyDance Studio. Ala Nar comprises a group of nine vivacious dance students, the majority of whom have been performing together for nearly four years. Ala Nar performs regularly at major events and festivals in and around Halton and the GTA. Passionate about all styles of Egyptian dance, this cast of performers are fiercely dedicated to the art form and delight audiences with their grace, exuberance and love for the dance.
Performance description: Ala Nar performs an upbeat Modern Oriental routine with a fiery percussive finish. Both choreographies created by Ensemble Director, Joharah.
Alia Thabit
New York, U.S.A.
Alia Thabit, an Arab-American and a Vermont Juried Artist, draws from over three decades of belly dance technique, history, regional and folkloric styles, props, theatrical and fusion elements, costuming, music, choreography, improvisation, and performance. Dance study in Lebanon, Brazil, Palestine, and Egypt enrich her dance experience. Alia teaches classes and workshops nationally. A teacher’s teacher, she highlights creativity, empowering students to find and express their own unique voice. She has appeared on radio and television, received grants in Vermont and New Hampshire, and presented numerous seminars with international stars such as Elena Lentini, Tamalyn Dallal, and Leila Farid. Alia has performed with such luminaries as the Freddie Elias Ensemble, the Safaa Farid Orchestra, and the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble. A musician’s dancer, versed in Arabic music theory, structure, and interpretation, enhanced by study of the frame drum and nay, Alia brings a deep feeling for the music and powerful stage presence to her performances. A novelist and playwright, Alia also teaches writing at Lyndon State College.
Performance Description: Dance Theatre
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Al-lala
Toronto, Canada
Al-lala is a group of dancers and drummers who carry in them the true spirit of the Lebanese and Middle Eastern Folklore. We present Middle Eastern folk dance performances in festivals, community gatherings and special events,and uses the best of the Arabic folkmusic and songs. Since 2004, Al-lala has been representing the Lebanese and Arab communities in several festivals and multicultural celebrations including Toronto ,Carassauga, Oakville ,Ottawa and Montreal Festival .
Performance Description: Bedouin/Dabki
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Amara
Tennessee, U.S.A.
Hillary Posey (Amara) is Owner and Artistic Director of Amara Dance Productions. Currently residing in Memphis, TN, she received her BA in Psychology with a Minor in Dance from the University of Memphis. Beginning with Classical Ballet over 18 years ago, Amara has acquired an extensive dance repertoire, becoming proficient in many of the world's most popular dance styles. She attributes her love of bellydance to its ancient and organic essence and feels it is part of her mentally, physically, and emotionally – “I am a student who teaches and a teacher who learns. As a dancer, I can never rest; my journey is eternal.”
Performance Description: “Ballet Beledi” in pointe shoes to "Yearnings".
Anandani Dancers
Michigan, U.S.A.
The Anandani Dancers were formed in 2008 to help bring director Na'imah's love of Bollywood film to West Michigan audiences. Bright, bold, and brilliant, Hindi film dance advances the plot and delights the eye, whether it is traditional or modern. To deepen her knowledge of Indian dance roots, Na'imah has studied Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam dance intensively, and recently returned from a trip to India to experience the culture firsthand (and do lots of shopping). Na'imah's main regret is that she has never managed to find a delicious shirtless Bollywood hunk who will smolder at her on an Austrian mountaintop, or in Fatehpur Sikri, or *anywhere*, really… well, there's still time. ;)
Performance Description: In this number, the singer is inviting a woman to become his "chammak challo" - a flashy girl, a beautiful girl who shows off, or a woman with attitude - and is asking her not to be ashamed to dance for him, to look in his eyes, and to let him be the hero in her life's movie; but the woman turns the tables on him as she captures his gaze, shows him her moves, and then asks him how he can avoid falling for a girl like her - and reminds him that magnetism works both ways. From the movie Ra.One, this is "Chammak Challo" by Akon.
Bahaia
Texas, U.S.A.
Bahaia is a long time mover and shaker in the Texas belly dance community as a performer, instructor, and promoter with over 20 years of experience. She is the producer of HOT Seminars and the notorious Cabaret Dance Camp; an original event that many others have been modeled after. Bahaia is a featured video artist of Cheeky Girls Productions with appearances in 3 solo instructional titles and 6 additional performance and instructional productions. She is also the founder & president of the Aria Dance Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting belly dance as art.
Performance Description: Drum Solo: Ha'aliq Rahtak - choreography by DaVid of Scandinavia
Cassandra Fox
Coldwater, Ontario, Canada
Cassandra Fox is a multi-award winning belly dance and Caribbean fusion dance performer and instructor. Born in Canada to Jamaican parents she grew up with Caribbean music and movement and began belly dancing while attending the University of Guelph. She has taught and performed in Canada and the United States and is known largely for her unique Caribbean fusion style, strong technique and the energy and joy that she puts into both her teaching and performances.
Performance Description: Caribbean Fusion
DaVid of Scandinavia
Norway/ U.S.A.
David of Scandinavia is an internationally touring Middle Eastern and Indian dance artist, choreographer and dance coach based in San Diego, CA, USA and Drammen, Norway. DaVid is known for his precise technique, delicacy in artistry and expressive finesse along with his refined musical sense. He draws from his dance and music training, linguistic and cultural explorations in his dance and teaching. This has lead him to performance and instructional engagements in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, England, Mexico and in the United States. DaVid co-owns the Ethnic Dance Academy in San Diego, CA, USA since 2005 where he teaches and conducts dance programs for dancers and instructors. He has authored comprehensive dance study materials for these programs. DaVid coaches dancers and dance companies for performances and competitions on regular basis and was in 2010 commissioned to coach and choreograph for the Bellydance Superstars show – Bombay Bellywood. DaVid has several times served as a competition judge. He has been a featured artist and instructor at multiple festivals, stages, performance and instructional DVDs, newspapers, magazines. dance publications and TV channels internationally.
Performance Description: "Mergence" - Shahrzad by Amir Sofi
Denise Mireau
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Denise Mireau is a dance artist and teacher in Middle Eastern Dance, Alexander Technique (member of ATI) and Pilates Teacher. She is the owner and director of Studio For Movement. She has over 20 years of experience in Middle Eastern dance that include being a lead dancer with the critically acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company from 1992 to 2006, performing in many theatrical productions and performances such as the UN Millennium Summit (New York City), the International Conference of Middle Eastern Dance (Los Angeles), and dance contracts in Greece and Lebanon.
Denise draws upon a wide array of training and experiences ranging from modern dance to Tai chi and improvisation. Her work as a certified Alexander Technique Teacher and Pilates Instructor inspire and inform her approach to teaching movement and dance. She is especially interested in providing a space where students can explore their creativity and develop more confidence and awareness in their bodies.
Performance Description: A contemporary piece inspired by my love of both modern and Bellydance.
Dina
Austria
Born in Vienna as daughter of an Egyptian father and an Austrian mother, she spent her childhood between Cairo and Vienna. Arabic music, dance and culture in general have been always playing a big role in her life as she finds them a media through which feelings and emotions in their variety and nuances can be expressed best. Nevertheless a solid dance education is of great importance to raise oriental dance to an art form.
Dina started her oriental dance education 16 years ago, first only as a hobby and locally in Vienna and kind of refreshment to her roots but then soon started travelling, always in search of learning from the best teachers.She has been dancing professionally for 8 years.
Performance Description: This is a very romantic choreography to a love song in which the singer speaks to his adored woman expressing his emotions and describing her. In the dance we express the unity of lovers and the game between man and woman as well as sticking to the meaning of the song.
Dragonfly Student Troupe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dragonfly Student Troupe is composed of intermediate and advanced students at Dragonfly Bellydance Studio, who have expressed their desire to share the joy of bellydancing and acquire performance experience in a group setting.
With excellent technique in constant development, the troupe is dedicated to presenting polished and beautiful performances celebrating the art and beauty of the feminine self and the experience of life, as well as the enormous, universal range of human emotion expressed through the belly-dancing body.
The Troupe embodies Dragonfly’s vision and versatility, including in their repertoire elegant oriental numbers, traditional folklore, as well as alternative fusion pieces.
East Side Hips
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Eastside Hips (ESH) is a collaboration of nina d and Leona, two members of the dance Troupe Ala Nar. After of a decade of dance together they have created this partnership to bring a high caliber of dance to Vancouver through workshops and shows, hosting international professionals. ESH strives to entertain, educate and share their love of dance with everyone. They are known for their grounded approach to teaching and performing. This year Denise and Anne join ESH. If you listen, you will hear the rhythm of the journey that created this piece.
www.nina-d.com
www.leonabellydance.com
This is an A Cappella performance by Khidni Habebi, based originally on choreography created by Leona. This piece was inspired by a Roula Said performance at IBCC 2008.
Halawa
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Halawa has been enchanted with art of bellydance since she was 9 years old. To master her art, Halawa has studied with a range of teachers including Hadia, Nath Keo, Saboura, Yasmina Ramzy, Bozenka, and Ava Fleming. Sharing this knowledge with budding artists has defined Halawa’s life for the past 15 years as she has taught, designed, created costumes, performed and produced all things bellydance. Halawa is able to make her passion her work by owning the successful Zahirah Dance Studio, the largest Middle Eastern dance school in Northern B.C. Continuing to build an impressive resume, Halawa has performed in hundreds of venues ranging from An Evening at the Oasis at the Metro in Victoria B.C. to fulfilling life long dreams and performing in Ashra at the McPherson Theatre on the same stage as the National Ballet. Most recently, the prestigious honour of performing live with Pavlo-God of the Greek Guitar, followed closely by an encore presentation with Jesse Cook. All have been the culmination of a lifetime devoted to the joy of bellydance.
Performance Description: Halawa interprets "Surrender" by Jesse Cook using nothing but heart and soul, followed by a powerful, dynamic drum solo.
Hally
China/Canada
Hally, born in Western China, has been dancing since age eleven. She earned her University Diploma in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Dance, and specializes in Bellydancing, Ballet, Urghur, Ozbeck, Kasack and Modern Dance. Hally has toured professionally and extensively throughout Tibet, Mongolia, Canada, China, Thailand, Russia, Malaysia, Turkmanistan and Japan. Hally is currently an instructor at HH Dance in Toronto and performs regularly at various Night Clubs, Restaurants and events.
Iana Komarnytska
Ukraine
Iana started to learn the art of dance at the children's dance studio and afflicted to Ukrainian State Folk Dance Ensemble Virsky at the age of four, then studied at the State Choreography School for almost 5 years. Since 2004, Iana Komarnytska has attended numerous international festivals in Egypt, Turkey and other countries and different workshops of world known dance masters of Middle-Eastern dances. She has performed at different bellydance productions in Ukraine and in 2009 she became an absolute champion among the youth in Ukraine at bellydance championship "Bastet". Currently she is obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Dance at York University (Toronto), and participates in Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra.
Performance Description:"Magic Flower"
A modern show bellydance piece which was inspired by the dream of a magic garden and it's main jewelry - beautiful flower which changes its color and shape in the midnight and disappears before the morning sunrise. New approach to the Isis wings was explored during the choreographic process based on imagery/improvisation methods. The music "Semada Raqs" is used with a permission of the composer Emrah Hatipo
Joanie
New York, U.S.A.
Performance Description: Joanie will be performing a modern oriental piece, highly influenced by both Lebanese and Egyptian stylizations, to Magda el-Romy's "Ya Makhal Remshak."
Kranti
Lebanon
KRANTI began dancing back early in the 1980s, where he was a member of his village dance folklore group. As part of several professional dance theatre groups, he toured and performed in many Arabic and Middle East festivals. He then joined, trained and performed with the Arab world's finest theatre company, CARACALLA dance group. KRANTI fuses Middle Eastern Folk Dance Style with Modern and Martial Arts techniques, carefully without dropping the value and the beauty of each. Dancing for KRANTI is a state of meditation where he disappears and nothing is there except the dance.
Leila Gamal
Indiana, U.S.A.
LEILA GAMAL is an internationally acclaimed Middle Eastern Dance artist whose career spans over three decades. Leila has thrilled audiences on concert stages and nightclubs with dynamic performances enriched with womanly strength, sensuality, and acute musical sensitivity.
As master teacher, Leila Gamal inspires students on every level to reach their greatest potential with an emphasis on movement concepts rather than specific stylization. Leila serves as a conduit to the ancient essence of the dance. Her instruction stresses the development of physical form and solid cultural foundation so that dancers, whether beginner or advanced, reach a greater understanding of the history, physiology, and musicality of Middle Eastern Dance.
Linda Riyad
Tenessee, U.S.A.
Linda Riyad is a celebrated Middle Eastern Dance Performer and Instructor based in Nashville, TN, USA. She is known for her well-rounded approach to Middle Eastern dance in her roles as an artist, life-long student, and instructor. As a leading professional in her field, she performs and instructs in the U.S. and abroad. Her professional performance group, Atlantis World Dance Company has built a reputation in the SouthEastern U.S. for its authentic, polished performances of classical, modern, and folkloric dances from the Middle East and beyond. Recently returned from her debut performance in Beirut, Lebanon, Linda is honored to return to Toronto as an instructor at the 2012 IBCC teaching her highly unique "Belly Moves" workshop.
Lou Lou
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loulou is a professional Middle Eastern dance artist and instructor known for her grace and elegance. Her passion for dance began with Latin ballroom training at the Dancing at Twilight studio and continued at the UFT dance club where she was an active member, regularly taking classes in several dance styles. She first discovered the enchanting art of belly dance in 2003. She quickly fell in love with the rich music, the complex movements and everything to do with this ancient and yet always evolving art form and it has been her passion ever since. She has studied extensively with master teacher Yasmina Ramzy in Toronto; she joined Arabesque Dance Company in 2006 and went on to become a lead dancer of the company in 2008 and a member of the teaching faculty at Arabesque Academy. She has performed in major productions Asala (2006 Arabesque production) and La Traviata in 2007 with the Canadian Opera Company. Loulou choreographed a dance piece for the talent portion of the Miss Kohinoor International Beauty Pageant for the 2009 winning contestant. In September 2009 Loulou moved to Barcelona, Spain where she spent the year studying dance under the tutelage of several master teachers and perfecting her third language. Loulou is committed to providing quality, artistic and passionate work as a performer and teacher.
Maria Shazadi
Mexico
MARIA SHAZADI has the most important Bellydance School in Mexico City and was one of the pioneers in this field since her beginnings 15 years ago. She was honored to receive the Badiaa Masabni National Price in Tijuana, Mexico for her dedication. She is the most important promoter of Bellydance in Mexico City with more than 50 National and International events, this year she will produce the 7th Bellydance Contest with participants from all over Mexico.
She has toured extensively throughout her country and recently in some parts of United States, Germany, China, Dominican Republic and soon in Peru.
She continuously organizes trips to Egypt to study with the best teachers.
http://www.mariashazadi.com/index.html
Performance Description: ALI GARA by Sayed Balaha, Egyptian Style
Mayada & Christina
Toronto, Ontario,Canada
Since discovering Middle Eastern dance in 1994 when she was fifteen years old, Mayada has become a dynamic teacher, a popular performer, a creative choreographer, and creator and editor of Canada's first bellydance magazine - MID-BITS!
Performance Description:Christina and Mayada met when they were both lead dancers in Arabesque Dance Company years ago. They are excited to be performing together again with a lively Egyptian Saiidi duet choreographed by christina and mayada together just for the IBCC!
Performance Description:
Melissa Gamal
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Melissa began her formal dance training in Ballet with six years of study at the Canadian Conservatory of Dance in Toronto. She began training in Middle Eastern dance at the age of 16 with instructor Raven Crow and has since continued to refine her technique at Arabesque Academy with master instructor Yasmina Ramzy, and senior teachers Mary Cabral and Emese Dosa. Her passion for the dance has led her to study with many world-renowned dancers such as Tito Seif, Randa Kamel, Aida Nour, Nagua Fouad, Orit Maftsir, Sahra Saeeda, Leila Farid, Jillina, Hadia, Camelia and many others. In 2008 she had the honor of being invited to perform in the gala show for dancer Leila of Cairo, held in Montreal. Her newest venture in Middle Eastern arts is learning to play the Dumbek with instructor Suleiman Warwar. Melissa started her apprenticeship with Arabesque Dance Company in 2005, and became a lead dancer in 2007. She is proud to have been a part of their last three stage productions, ASALA, EGYPT and OUM. Melissa instructs weekly classes at Arabesque Academy and is an established soloist in Toronto and the GTA.
Performance Description: Melissa will be dancing to "Spring Arabized" - a remix of a classical Vivaldi piece and Middle Eastern percussion by Karim Nagi. She will using primarily traditional bellydance movement vocabulary to dance to non-traditional music.
Miriam Amaya
Texas, U.S.A
Miriam Amaya is a self-taught sword dancer. Miriam has developed her own technique and unique style on her own. Miriam enjoys combining Bellydance with Samba and Tahitian fast hip movements. Miriam is available to teach dance workshops.
Performance Description: Bellydance and Samba Fusion with sword
miriam-amayabellydance.com
Miryam Nunez
Peru/Montreal, Quebec, Canada
This passionate dancer started her journey at the age of five. She performed for a long time in different folkloric styles from her country, Peru, as well as other Latin dances like salsa and samba.
She started oriental dance in 2001 and since then she has won one bronze and one silver medal at the AQDO competitions in 2007 and 2011.
Miryam teaches regularly and is frequently invited to give oriental and fusion (samba-oriental) workshops.
She continues to refine her technique with the international dancer Aziza, as well as taking workshops with renowned teachers, like Bozenka, Mahmoud Reda, Randa Kamel, Jillina and Suhaila Salimpour.
Performance Description: Sharqui dance performance on a classical oriental music named “Tunus” (3:51 mins).
Nicole & Krystle
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Krystle got her first taste of bellydance in August 2008 when she attended a Cabaret Serpentine show in Halifax and was immediately taken in by the beautiful art form. Zahira has been her instructor, key inspiration and mentor throughout her bellydance life. She currently studies intensively with Zahira at Dragonfly and has taken workshops with many notable instructors along the way.As well as being a part of the Dragonfly Student Troupe she is also a founding member of the Dragonfly steampunk fusion group The Dragonettes.
Nicole has developed a love for dance. Over the years she grew to find her new passion; the art of bellydance. Nicole began studying oriental belly dance with Zahira alongside Nada El Masriya and went on to study folklore with Abigail. Through her love for dancing & all genres of music, Nicole has expanded her dance repertoire to include Zahira’s own Steam Fusions, became a founding member of The Dragonettes and began studying Tribal Fusions with Audra Simmons.Through guidance, inspiration and support of her lovely troupe members and mentors, her dance aspirations are just a shimmy away.
Performance Description: Krystle and Nicole will be performing a beautiful and emotionally charged traditional oriental piece to ‘Kermal Oyounak’ by Wael Kfoury choreographed by Zahira.
Sabrina
Illinois, U.S.A.
Sabrina has led a life filled with dance. At age three she began taking classes in Ballet and over time her desire to move drove her to expand her study to Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Tap, and Middle Eastern dance extensively. Sabrina began choreographing at age twelve. By thirteen she was placing first in choreography competitions in which she competed against professional dance instructors. Sabrina received her Bachelors of Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University. Her energy and enthusiasm are absolutely contagious. She strives to share her love for dance with everyone she meets.
Though currently based in Michigan, Sabrina spent two years performing and teaching Middle Eastern Dance in New Orleans Louisiana and the surrounding region. Sabrina was a regular performer both as a soloist and as a member of the Sisters Of Salome at many of the restaurants and stage shows throughout the New Orleans area. In March of 2007, Sabrina traveled to Egypt. There she studied immersed herself in the culture and the history of the country. Sabrina also studied Belly Dance while there with such legends as Aida Nour and Randa Kamal.
Paola Blanton
Brazil
Dance artist and movement coach Paola has been dancing her whole life, rooted in the traditions of Balkan dance, with extensive work in Middle Eastern and Lyrical Dance via Isadora Duncan. She teaches her art at her own studio and travels regularly to present her ideas and research at international festivals. She began her professional dancing career in Brazil, where she lived for eight years while teaching Humanities at Escola Graduada de São Paulo. She has performed in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. A native of Macedonia, her life path took her first to the U.S., where she earned two University degrees, then Brazil, Asia, and back to Brazil, her permanent home. Paola is now further evolving her art at her new studio in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil, on the Sao Paulo coast. She teaches dance and theatrical movement to disadvantaged children a well as regularly scheduled Raqs Sharqi and Lyrical Dance classes for women.
Performance Description: "Caravan" by Boban Markovic Orkestar - a pumped Gypsy-Brass celebration - Balkan Fusion Belly Dance.
Siham Chowdhury
Toronto,Ontario, Canada
Siham Chowdhury is a fusion dance artist and teacher with a background in Bollywood, Latin Ballroom, Polynesian and Bellydance. Currently, she is utterly thrilled to be an apprentice dancer with the fabulous Bellydance company, Arabesque Earthshakers and a member of Bollywood dance company, Divine Heritage Artistry. Being the artistic director of her own fusion Bellydance troupe Dance, Sister, Dance, she enjoys combining elements of Bollywood, Polynesian and Latin dances with Bellydance to create imaginative choreographies with a touch of whimsy. Siham is so proud and thankful to be part of a dance community that allows her to express her unique blend of creativity.
Performance Description: La Lobita y La Luna: Cuban Rumba/Bollywood-Egyptian Cabaret Fusion Bellydance.A lonely Were-girl yearns for her lover, the wise all-knowing Moon
Tatiana Kaptchinskaia
Russia/Canada
Born in Russia, Tatiana has received extensive training in classical ballet, Russian , Gypsy, and Ukrainian folklore styles of dance. Over the past several years however, Tatiana has focused her training purely on Bellydance.
As a member of Arabesque Dance Company for the last four years, Tatiana has been performing across Canada and teaches weekly classes at the Arabesque studio.
Tatiana is known for her fluid and elegant moves and thrives on sharing her passion for Bellydance with the audience, allowing them to experience the beauty of this most feminine art form through her.
Performance Description: Tribal Fusion
Troupe Abdo
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Troupe Abdo hails from Chatham, Ontario Canada. Under the artistic direction of Susu Abdo
this troupe performs at venues through out South western Ontario. This group has performing as an Ensemble for the last 6 years.
These artists are dedicated to art of Egyptian Bellydance. They study weekly with Susu in her Chatham location.Precision within an ensemble is difficult to attain without hard work and dedication. These folks are dedicated! We are honoured to be performing here tonight. Thank you! Susu Abdo is proud to present Troupe Abdo: Susu, Trisha, Amanda, Sharon, Kelly, Karen, Barb, Lorrie, Michelle and Katie.
Performance Description:
Valizan
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Performance Description: Valizan brings his joy of bellydance to life in this high-energy drum solo.
Willow Chang
Hawaii, U.S.A.
For dance audiences worldwide, Willow fuses scholarly devotion with emotional, dramatic presentation to give performances that take ones breath away. Whether performing a traditional raks baladi, or retelling ancient myths through original contemporary dance, or elegantly pushing the boundaries of fusion dance forms, Willow connects with audiences, moving and amazing them.
For the dancers in her companies Jasmine Revolution and SANGHA Dance Theater, Willow leads with compassion, choreographs with imagination and innovation and creates unforgettable performances for her dancers and audiences alike. Through methodical and holistic ways, she incorporates the wisdom of master teachers, continued discipline, ferocious reading, cultivation of sacred practice, annual global travel, nurturing new and old friendships and continued analysis of these relationships – to discover how they inspire the creative process.