about us

Lacy Dickerson Owner/Instructor	Lacy Dickerson has been a long time student of dance and movement since 1996 when she became a member of her highschool dance team. As a dedicated dancer, she was named captain of her highschool dance team her senior year (1999). Lacy has been studying Middle Eastern dance in particular at Zanzibar since January 2006 under the direction of Andrea Perkins and Juli Downum. She has been instructing classes at Zanzibar since 2007. She has been director of Zanzibar Studio since October 2009 when her mentor and dance hero, Andrea Perkins left to explore new land! She also directs Dandasha Dance Company and Tribe Zanzibar. Lacy has studied with various world-renowned dancers and musicians such as: Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Mardi Love (The Indigo), Mira Betz, Elizabeth Strong, Jill Parker & Rose Harden (Ultra Gypsy), Onca O'Leary (Mezmer Society), Heather Stants (Urban Tribal), Tobias Roberson, August Hoerr (Mezmer Society), and the list continues to grow... Lacy received her Yoga Instructor Certification in June 2009 with Stephanie Keach of Asheville Yoga Center and is currently studying for her 8 Elements Certification through the lovely Rachel Brice. Lacy's classes have deep focus in technique as well as body awareness. She likes to help women empower themselves with self-discovery through dance! “My first introduction to bellydance was a profound one I will never forget. After the tragic loss of one of Chattanooga's beloved musicians, the universe led me to an event in his honor. During the show, two bellydancers graced the stage with the most mystifying movements I had ever seen. The two dancers were from Zanzibar Studio. Intrigued by this beautiful dance form, I signed up two weeks later. And the rest is history....”
Lauryn Peterson Instructor	Lauryn Peterson (RYT-200) is certified by Yoga Alliance as an instructor and in several styles of bellydance ("Cabaribalusion" style by Ansuya Rathor, General Skills in American Tribal Style by Carolena Nericcio, and The 8 Elements: Initiation level by Rachel Brice). Lauryn also studies modern dance, aerials, and pilates. Lauryn began substituting as an instructor at Zanzibar in 2006 and has been assisting and instructing since 2007. Lauryn has also taught bellydance through Continuing Education at Dalton State College and Chattanooga State and has taught workshops at Baylor School, Mercer University, and myriad local non-profits. Lauryn has performed with Bard College Bellydance Collective (2003-2005), Tribe Zanzibar (2005-2009), Dandasha Dance Company (2008), comedic duo "Lala" with Amberetta (2009), Emerald Hips (2006-present), Rising Point Dance Collective (2010-present) and Mirabai Bellydance (2008-present). Lauryn is a proud founding member of Mirabai Bellydance, a creative dance collective who hosts an annual fundraiser for local non-profits. Lauryn is an obsessive student of movement and has been blessed to study with countless masters in bellydance, including intensives with Rachel Brice, Carolena Nericcio, Zoe Jakes, Moria Chappell, Mira Betz, Ansuya Rathor, and Donna Mejia. Lauryn's primary bellydance instructors have been Andrea Perkins (Dandasha Dance Co), Juli Downum, Allegra Hirschmann (Three Sisters Dance), and Victoria Jacobs (Barrio Flamenco, Sapience Dance, Mer Sedna). Lauryn's primary instructors in Modern Dance have been Ann Law, Monica Ellison, and Cornelius Heard. Lauryn has also studied aerials with Amy Powell (Grounded High, Canopy. Lauryn has also studied with many other instructors who she gives credit to in her blog: www.peleblow.blogspot.com In March 2011, Lauryn began a distance-learning Master's program in Dance and Movement Therapy through Pratt Institute in New York. Lauryn has been performing and involved in the arts since she was a small child and discovered bellydance in 2003 when she returned to the States from a semester abroad in Budapest. Bellydance was a huge factor in her recovery from depression and an eating disorder, which is why she has redirected her life towards therapeutic movement. Thank you to Lesha Patterson Photography for the photo.
Mattie Waters Instructor	Mattie Waters studied the art of Middle Eastern dance with the "great Andruska," with whom she trained vigorously for a year in a half before performing with the Dandasha Bellydance Company. In 2007, Mattie moved to London to finish a degree in theatre arts. While across the pond, she taught some of her first belly dance classes. Mattie is an active student of dance and has trained with many of the great world-renowned teachers that we know today. Mattie has been teaching classes at Zanzibar Studio since the summer of 2008. Her fun and unique approach to dance keep her classes fun and fresh! Combining solid practice and performance technique, Mattie is both an inspiring and challenging teacher. We hope that students of Zanzibar will be able to enjoy her skills a little longer before Hollywood or Broadway whisks her away from us!