Christina was seven years old when her mom first signed her up for ballet classes. Although she did not stay with formal dance training, she has been in motion ever since, picking up informal training in many different forms of dance throughout her life.

During college Christina and housemate Seana discovered Middle-Eastern folkloric dance though a demonstration by Madison Wisconsin's Tahjah and were instantly fascinated. After graduation in 1992, they began studying folkloric style under Tahjah and within a year were performing with the Jaravellir Middle-Eastern Dancers, a troupe in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Eventually, Christina became a teacher, and choreographer for the troupe. Shortly thereafter, she began to travel all over the midwest to teach and perform, earning recognition from both her students and her fellow dancers.

In 1994, Christina became a member of the Tribe Theatre Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (currently the Midwest Rock Opera Company). She began as a dancer and chorus member for the company, but was soon a principal actress, and, bringing her Middle-Eastern dance influence along, an assistant choreographer. After moving to Chicago, Christina began teaching a small folkloric troupe of her own within the SCA and studying Egyptian style bellydance under Jasmin Jahal in 1996. In Jasmin she found inspiration and a renewed love of the dance. She continued to study with Jasmin in the years ahead.

In 1999, Christina and her friend Wendy became curious about Tribal bellydance style and began to study with Stephanie Barto to learn more. She loved the energy and community of tribal dance and the improvisational, natural style suited her taste. Within a few months, she was performing with Stephanie's student troupe The Fringe Connection and was an occasional guest with Read My Hips at numerous venues across the Chicagoland area.

On a summer night in 2001, Christina became one of the founding members of the Blue Lotus Tribe, a troupe dedicated to the evolution of the tribal style. Her energetic, inviting dance style comes from her love of performing and connecting with an audience. "I feel that dancing is the purest celebration of the woman as an extension of the earth and its creative capacity. I am never more free or more joyful than when I am dancing." Within the tribe, Christina welcomes the challenge of developing tribal dance and expanding the troupe's repertoire.

Outside of the tribe, Christina continues to study with Jasmin Jahal and was invited to perform in her August 2002 production of "Kismet, One Man's Destiny." She currently teaches both Egyptian and tribal style dance and performs throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. For more information on classes, click here.  

You can visit Christina's website for her solo Egyptian performances by clicking here.