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, the Bristol Renaissance Faire hired me to perform with the Sahara Nights troupe, and I found myself on stage that August with no clear idea how it had happened. This gave me the confidence to start performing solos in public. I danced for a few seasons at the Bristol Renaissance Faire as Yasmina.

In the summer of 2004, I also met Laila Lee, and started taking dance lessons from her. 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. For several years, I studied Cabaret and Egyptian bellydance with Sonya and American Tribal bellydance with Eliza. I have had the immense pleasure of taking workshops with Ariellah, Rachel Brice, Tempest, Princess Farhana, Zoe Jakes, and Mardi Love. (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). Bburlesque definitely gave me a sassier edge, and, combined with my workshops and inspiration by Tempest and Rachel Brice, I found 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.

Shortly thereafter,I realized that the name Yasmina didn't fit me anymore. I'm an urban, tribal, Gothic bellydancer. I decided to perform exclusively under the name Moxie.

In 2007, I had the tremendous pleasure of founding the troupe Tandava with Ebony and Saffron. We explored the classic Tribal moves like the Arabic and Ghawazee Shimmy, created our own flair with moves like the Egyptian Deathray and the Cocktease, and refined the art of group improvisation with choreographed lilypads. Despite our mutual affection for Tribal Stomp and the art of mime, my spookisexy ghoul personae didn't meld with their cruchy-granola hugmuppet ones, so I split amicably in 2008. We continue to cheer each other on at shows, jam together on dance floors, and scandalize casual passers-by. I still firmly believe we should get matching, naughty tattoos.

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, where I have produced several Helping Hips benefit shows. I study Tribal Fusion with Eliza at Arabesque, and I practice yoga at TriBalance Yoga Center. Most people recognize me as "the one with the huge tattoo on her back."