Claire

Claire was one of those children who was taken to dancing lessons as a child - she still treasures the Latin American and Ballroom medals she won so many years ago.  After many dance free years, during which she managed to accumulate a job, career and family, she decided more "me" time was needed.  Looking for a way to get into tap or jazz to meet people and get fit she searched the local adult education classes. Unfortunately she couldn't make any of these classes but saw an advert for  "Egyptian" dancing and, although she had no idea what this was, it was at a time she could make and was cheap.  Bingo !!

That was six years ago, and through that Saturday morning class, she met a number of other raw recruits that have led to lasting friendships.  As the class progressed, Claire began to fall in love with the dance and the way it made her feel - fancy having a hobby that encouraged you to dress up every Saturday morning just like you were 7 years old and escape from reality ! Perfect.

When they had progressed as far as the class would allow, Claire together with Diane & Barbra, explored other avenues to continue their journey and discovered "Ford" - a true road to Damascus moment, so many other like minded people and fabulous teachers.  Now the prime driver was planning the next workshop; saving, anticipating, enjoying, learning.  The girls came together following the "Tribal Ford" of 2005 - they decided to form a troupe and put into practice what they'd seen.  

Claire takes her inspiration from the "mighty" Domba, Kaye Taylor, Amielia Barlow and Urban Tribal to name but a few and has grown over time from traditional Egyptian dance into an American Tribal and Bollywood/Bhangra style.

By day Claire is an Engineer, married to Nigel and they have their own tribe of 4 shimmykids (including Pooh Pant's Punjabi!)

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