Ilima Hulie Ursomarso A Hawaiian/Aztec (HiTec) professional dancer, began dancing at the age of three studying traditional Hula, Tahitian, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Gymnastics. At age 15 she began her first dance company entitled Local Motion. At age 17 she received a full tuition scholarship in Dance and Theater Arts from Southern Utah University. During this time she danced with the American Folk Ballet and Orchasis Modern Dance Company, then graduated with a BA in Theater Arts and Dance. After graduation Ilima enrolled at the the University of Utah to attain a masters degree. She studied childhood development and movement therapy. Two years later she held a professional position teaching movement therapy at Valley Mental Health in Salt Lake City, Utah.  After three years she moved to Hawaii and became a licensed Social Service Worker, wrote a grant and received money to begin a wellness program entitled "Move it or Loose It". She also taught belly dance, hula, and children's dance classes at the community center on Kauai. Five years later she married and moved to Virginia and began Rhythm Fire Cultural Dance Company in 2002 to bring the art of cultural dance to the community. Ilima grew up knowing that teaching dance, performing and making dance available to all people is a great way to bridge cultures, make friends, and build community, something that enriches everyone's life! To contact her email: rhythmfiredance@yahoo.com

    Sam Steffens has been sharing her art at festivals for over ten years. From Renaissance festivals around the country to her home town Floyd and its world music festival. One of her biggest goals is that in the hearts of those she encounters, a spark is ignited which will inspire them to follow their own creative dreams. From Henna Body art to belly dance, fire shows and being a community midwife and mother, she enjoys engaging and teaching others about how beneficial creative freedom can be for the mind, body, and soul. Mamma Sam herself started into the world of movement arts through martial arts and was introduced to the beautiful ancient art of belly dance in 2005 after being blessed with two amazing children born at home. Belly daces powerful healing way to regain the physical strength mothers need after childbirth along with its supportive energy for the mind and soul. This inspired her to explore even more and after a year of spinning a staff, in 2008 she found one of life's treasures, "fire" and its mesmerizing beauty which demands the utmost respect, she now incorporates many forms of movement art together as she reaches out to audiences. Sam brings fun tools such as zills, veils, baskets, fans, flags, glow-poi, single and double glow/fire-staffs, glow-hoop, fire-fingers, palm torches, and fire-bowls. One of her favorite parts of doing festivals these days are the workshops where she can offer hands on enjoyment to patrons sharing her knowledge of spinning staff, poi, belly dancing, and tool making. To contact her please email: samsteffens@yahoo.com

  Thana Toregas: (Thana the Spartan) A professional Greek-American dancer, began her dance career as a small child studying tap, ballet, jazz, flamenco, and gymnastics. She was deeply moved and inspired by the stories of her grandmother, the famous Jalna of Georges & Jalna (Born to Dance [1936], featured dancers at the Walfdorf Astoria in New York City), who were forerunners of many contemporary American styles of dance. It was in her early teens, when Thana discovered her zest for Middle Eastern and Oriental Dance. She began studying Persian, Egyptian, and Arabic styles, and at the age of 14 Thana danced under the direction of Katayoun of Northern Virginia with her troupe, The Desert Doves. Thana founded the Hips Wanted Belly Dance Troupe out of Radford University where it has thrived for four consecutive years. She also developed and taught Radford University's very Belly Fit class through the RU Recreation department. Additionally, she has worked with Radford's dance department assisting cultural dance students in their studies of the history and origins of Middle Eastern Dance. Recently Thana has been hired to co-choreograph and perform fire dances with Ilima Ursomarso, of Rhythm Fire Cultural Dance Company. Thana is known not only for her graceful Persian stylized arm moves, dramatic interpretations of Egyptian balletesque technique, and embodying the fiery spirit of Arabic styles, but this Spartan puts her whole heart into every endeavor she takes on, making her performances not only mesmerizing, but memorable!  To contact please email: ntoregas2@radford.edu

   Maka Price: A professional Hula and Tahitian Dancer and Teacher (Kumu). Maka was born and raised on the garden island of Kauai where she studied the dance of her ancestors. Now located in Roanoke, V.A. she has created Na Kaimana O' Makamae Hula Halau and teaches Hula and Tahitian class for all ages and levels. She performs with Rhythm Fire Cultural Dance Company and specializes in creating beautiful authentic Polynesian dance experiences for her students and audiences alike. Maka can be reached at maka_islandgirls@yahoo.com

   Reida Brown   One of my star muses in the movement arts has been nature in its many forms. I have found that all the knowledge of the universe is in each one us and it is our experiences that allow us to uncover our hidden potentials. When each movement takes place in a state of full body awareness  the individual becomes more precise in all activities and begins a journey of personal exploration that may become a tool in the healing process. Dance has been a teacher, a healer and a language when there where no words.  

      ‘Life is a dance and each movement is another note in the greater song of life.’- Reida