Nicola Atkin

A single mother of two young children, Nicola is obsessed with tribal; with the supportive community, and the connections it creates.  This obsession began many years ago with Hilary Thacker's Classical Egyptian style (thank you, beautiful sister-in-law Katharine).  After devoting every spare moment of time discovering more about the dance and its many varieties, she witnessed the energy of the renowned tribal fusion troupe Domba! and finally, American Tribal Style (thank you Katharine, again!)

Wanting to be part of the community as well as learn from the best, Nicola made many frequent visits to the USA, and has been fortunate enough to study directly under some of the most respected names in the tribal world, including:

Carolena Nericcio (Creator of ATS, FatChance Bellydance), Heather Stants (Urban Tribal), Jamilla Salimpour, Rashid (dancer with Bal Anat and teacher at the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dancing), Paulette Rees-Denis (Gypsy Caravan), Heidi Alexander (Domba), Cynthia Todd (Tribal Feat), Mira Betz, Frederique (BellyGroove), Shawna Rai, Jill Parker (Ultra Gypsy), Amy Sigil (UNMATA), Lorraine Hanson (Urban Tribal, Tribal Feat), Samantha Riggs (Boom Boom Bollywood, Domba), Gina Zavalas (Bedouin Tribe, Domba), Geneva, Karen Hersh (Gypsy Queens), Ava Fleming (Black Opal Dance Company), Sharon Kihara (BDSS), Rachel Brice (The Indigo, BDSS), Sharon Kihara (BDSS), Zoe Jakes (BDSS), Asuryana (Domba)

Over a year ago, Nicola was personally certificated by Carolena Nericcio in her ATS format.

Nicola's business BellyNut Tribal is known for: hosting exclusive UK events with these same top USA teachers she has learnt from; making and selling her own design of tribal performance wear; teaching (rather crazy yet fun) American Tribal Style and Tribal Fusion classes and workshops, and her involvement in the creation and launch of the first international Tribal Magazine.

"The dynamics and connections between the dancers was captivating.  It was the energy between them, the energy that is between us all, that made realise my life had to be about this dance."