Spiral Skies Bellydance

My name is Kim, but my dance name is Lapis. I was blessed to be able to be a stay-at-home mom for as long as I wanted. I am currently a case manager for people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries in northern Wyoming. In the fall of 2010 our last of four daughters left for college, and I found myself with an empty nest. I decided to make some changes in my life. I started painting again, hired a personal trainer to help me lose a lot of weight, started working out at the gym, taking a Zumba class, started scuba diving and passed my Open Water Diver certification, and in the fall of 2010 I started going to a belly dance class with a friend. This is surprising since I had a misconceived notion of what belly dance was all about. At that time, I was only going to go once, just to try it. Billie Smith was my first instructor, here in Powell. She gave me a good foundation and provided a fun environment for class.

I attended the 2011 Yellowstone Bellydance Festival in August, and loved learning with so many dancers. I had no idea that there were so many of us!

This fall I started going to Billings on the weekends for class at Urban Sands Bellydance Studio, with Tessa Thompson and Kyla Proffitt as instructors. I am amazed at how much I learn every week! My life is changed forever. My artistic inspiration comes from these two instructors, Spiral Skies Bellydance Troupe, and my belly dance sisters.

I love choreography, snake arms, undulations, pops, locks, and shimmies. I enjoy dancing to all kinds of music: Arabic, Egyptian, Indian, African, Celtic, bluegrass, rock, pop, hip-hop, rap, jazz, blues, etc. I prefer dramatic or complex pieces of music that move me from the core of my soul. Belly dance makes me feel free, and offers me a new way of artistic expression.

I am grateful that I have met some amazing seamstresses. They can create the most beautiful costumes! As for me, I got out the old sewing machine and started to dabble with costuming. I plan to create a few tops, belts and headpieces. I find myself going to thrift stores to shop for costume pieces, or items that I can cut up and turn into a costume. I have some great costuming ideas; the challenge is making them as beautiful as they are in my head! I do love to watch other dancers, and see how they have pieced together costumes, jewelry, hair styles, and makeup. As an artist, I adore the colors, layers, textures, richness, and most importantly the story behind each costume.

I am drawn to tribal and tribal fusion styles of dance. My goal is to learn and polish more skills, choreograph dances, perform in public, and evolve as a dancer should.

I have always wanted to live for a hundred years. Well, this year I made it halfway there, and also celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary! I am planning for my next fifty years to be filled with belly dancing in one way or another. That’s for certain.

I am truly thankful for the acceptance, encouragement, inspiration, and friendships from the sisterhood of belly dancers.

Evelyn Couch: I’m too young to be old, and I’m too old to be young.

- fried green tomatoes