© All Rights Reserved 2009-2012 ucanto bellydance Made with Xara Reviews  “Once upon a time, I fell in love with a photograph of this exotic, lovely, dark belly dancer. Years later, I found out her name, and then I looked up her  style/type of belly dancing. Her name isn't important here, but as I started to read her biography, I knew she studied American Tribal Style (ATS) as a  big part of her bellydance fusion baseline. I read further and found that she had studied Fat Chance Belly Dance (FCBD) ATS in particular.  I went to a restaurant up in Seattle to see some bellydance performances...I knew there would be more traditional styles represented, but it seemed  like a fun thing to do.  Then this trio of dancers came into view. A tall woman with great poise, a tiny woman with an imp-like smile, and a man....a  genie!! Yes, there was a genie on the dance floor! I had never seen ATS in person, and I was flat-out AMAZED. I loved their style, their pose, their  HUGE smiles and the fun they were having! Afterward, I spoke to them (and Nancy Brown, unbeknown st to me) about classes.  I started looking into instructors in the Seattle area because there weren't FECUND (FCBD) ATS in my South Sound area, and stumbled into one of  Nancy's Seattle classes, with a couple references from other area (both professional and student) dancers. Since day one I was hooked!   I don't know whether to start with the style itself, the costuming or the class's style is a codified set of cued movements drawn from many other styles  of dance. This enables dancers to have a mealtime "discussion" while dancing with one another, even up to dancing in large groups, with different  people taking the lead position and "leading the conversation". It's a very interesting dynamic that I enjoy very much and keeps my mind engaged.   The costuming is modest but beautiful and lavish as well. Exotic, sultry, and not outside my comfort zone!  As time has continued, Nancy has added Tacoma classes, which is really nice for the South Sound students. I usually attend the Seattle classes due to a  schedule conflict, but there is no quality difference between the two, just some different students. I do try to get a Tacoma class when I can though  doesn't need more dancing in their life?  Everyone is very supportive of one another. This is very important for me; I do not learn well in a negative environment and Ucanto is far from that.  Every Sunday I look forward to the smiling faces, the laughing, the dancing, and the learning that occurs.  My boyfriend, a professional performer himself, loves to watch us dance. Others tell us how much they love to watch us dance too. I've asked them  why. The answers are mostly about how pretty we are (costuming), how pretty our dance was (technique and style), but more often than not the  comments focus on our smiles and genuine fondness for one another.    This is my dance family, come join us.”  Kim C, Graham, WA  “Sister~I just have to stop by and tell you how amazing you are, what an inspiration you are, and how many people’s dance souls you touch every day! I  can’t go a week without someone telling me how much you do for them and their dance...you are more than a bellydance mama, your arms embrace  the world in a way that can’t be measured and we are grateful for you! I love you!”  Katana - Seattle, WA.  “I have never been as comfortable in my own skin while dancing as I have been since starting lessons with ucanto bellydance.  I have taken  bellydancing lessons from other teachers and I always felt awkward; that I didn't understand how to properly move.  Nancy, of ucanto bellydance,  helps break down the moves so you can learn them easily.  She is always willing to take time out to answer questions and help you with your body  position and technique. Because of her instruction, I have really learned that You Can Too (ucanto) bellydance.”  Robyn B. - Olympia, WA  “If I lived closer, I would absolutely take classes with Nancy - she is an amazing performer, and has a truly glowing presence on and off stage!  Quite  possibly one of the warmest, most genuine people I've ever met!  She also has a true love and great, authentic knowledge of American Tribal Style Belly  Dance - and I would recommend her to anyone wanting to take classes or an amazing performer for their event - she's a true pro!” Laurie M. - West  Richland, WA  “I am following the belly dance community for quite some time and have to say that the progress students of ucanto showcased at the recent Ques  and Tattoos performance is stunning. None of them took classes more than 5 months - some of them just 3 months - and the performance was  coherent and true to the Fat Chance Belly Dance concept! Way to go!” Davor G.- Carnation, WA  "You did an amazing job, your students did a great job....it is nice to see a teacher that knows how to do the moves properly  and teach them properly..." Suzanne E. - Dancer (San Francisco)  "I loved your performance, you remind me of Carolena when you dance." Frédérique - Dancer/Instructor (Int’l)  "Your dancing has always been very good but now you have grown so much as a dancer, you are great dancer and performer"  Robyn F - Atty-at-Law                                MORE REVIEWS AVAILABLE BY REQUEST Blog at Blogspot  206.407.5407