I began to bellydance in 1998, when I attended an Egyptian Dance class. I've been fascinated with Ancient Egypt ever since I was 7 years old, so the name piqued my curiosity. I enjoyed the dance form, but not the instructor, so I studied on my own for the next several years with books and videos. I quickly fell in love with American Tribal Style bellydance when I encountered the Fat Chance Bellydance instructional videos.

In 2004, I met Hatem Abu Soud at the Rennaissance Faire drum jam, and he invited me to join his dance troupe at the faire, and I found myself on stage that August with no clear idea how it had happened. I enjoyed performing that summer with Hatem, Da'oud, Ezmerelda, and Aziza in Hatem's Sahara Nights show. This gave me the confidence to start performing solos in public. I danced for a few seasons at the Bristol Renaissance Faire as Yasmina, and I kept that name as my dance persona outside the gates as well.

In the summer of 2004, I also met Laila Lee, and had the pleasure of studying with Laila for a year. I found the Grow In Motion studio and studied American Tribal with Sam and Maggie.

After a year, Laila told me, "I think you've learned all you can from me, and you can move on to another teacher." I was intrigued by a Choreography workshop at Arabesque Dance Studio, and after two hours with Sonya, I knew I wanted to study with her. Ever since then, I've studied Cabaret and Egyptian bellydance with Sonya, American Tribal bellydance with Eliza, and shimmy technique with Chellcy. I have had the immense pleasure of taking workshops with Ava Fleming, Rachel Brice, Tempest, Princess Farhana, and Zoe Jakes. (See my Links page for more information).

Sonya is by far my strongest influence and support in the realm of dance. Her deft instruction helped me to understand the practical and magical aspects of the dance more clearly than anyone else has, and she has been a tireless coach and sounding board when I ventured into the more esoteric aspects of the art forrm and the pragmatic reality of producing a show.

I studied burlesque in 2006 with Michelle L'Amour. While I love and respect burlesque, I returned to my first love (in dance, anyway) -- but burlesque definitely gave me a sassier edge, and combined with my workshops and inspiration by Tempest and Rachel Brice, a desire to push the envelope a little further than I would have before, as well as confidence on a "take-that-you-fucking-windmill" scale.

This year, I realized that the name Yasmina doesn't quite fit me anymore. I'm an urban, tribal, Gothic bellydancer. I decided to perform exclusively under the name Moxie. When I dance, I attempt to illustrate what I hear in the song for you. Through presence and costuming, I try to show you the mood I hear. I use different movements to show the melodies and musical accents that stand out to me. I hope that it all gives you a sense of the story and feeling of the song.

I live and perform in the Chicago area. Most people recognize me as "the one with the huge tattoo on her back." I'm very fortunate to be part of Tandava Tribal with Julia and Lola.