The Sigil Method Instructors
Amy Sigil - Redding, California
Creator of Improv Team Sync (ITS), director of International performance troupe UNMATA, and owner of Sigil School. Amy has been teaching movement and coaching humans for over 20 years. A lover of Transnational dance, team building and all things explorative. You can find her at www.amysigil.com
April Rose - Austin, Texas
April Rose creates fusion dances inspired by Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenistic, and Turkish cultures. She earned an M.A. in Culture and Performance as well as a B.A. in Dance from UCLA, where she researched raqs sharqi, choreographic method, and various dance techniques. Since her MENAHT dance studies began in 1999 with Daleela Morad in Sacramento she has enjoyed touring with many classic and fusion artists, including Bellydance Superstars and Unmata, and has performed in over 20 countries. April Rose teaches movement, music, and history through her training program, Dance Cohesion. You can find her at www.aprilrosedance.com
Jenny Cohen aka Aaliyah Jenny - Salt Lake City, Utah
Jenny Cohen aka Aaliyah Jenny hails from Salt Lake City, Utah by way of New York, Boston and Taiwan. A perpetual student, AJ is known for her autobiographical Transnational fusion pieces about universal themes inspired by her love of hip hop, contemporary and Arabic dances. She is the first Improv Team Sync, Datura Style and Sharqui Certified instructor in her area. Please visit linktr.ee/MoveToHealwithJenny for more information.
Dr. Robin - Zaltana - Palm Springs, California
Robin was choreographer and director of Troupe Melangées for 7 years in the Inland Empire, is the developer of Cardio Tribal Style (CTS) belly dance, producer of their workout videos, and choreographer of their combination vocabulary and Zaltana/CTS Crew performances. Robin loves the energy and world music grooves that are expressed through team fusion styling. She collaborates with Amy Sigil for Improv Team Sync work with organizations. She was initiated into the 8 Elements by Rachel Brice (the Datura Method) in 2016, completed Phase II Cultivation in the spring of 2017, and will attend Phase III in the summer of 2021. And she continues to learn-dance-grow-be inspired by teachers like Jill Parker at Tribal Massive (2019, 2020). Other influential dance teachers include Aziza Sa’id (folkloric) and Mesmera (gypsy), Paulette Rees-Denis of Global Caravan (inspiration), Kajira Djoumana (Tribalfest/Black Sheep), Heidi Alexander of Domba, and Gabrielle Roth (5 Rhythms Movement). Robin has a General Skills certification in American Tribal Style – ATS – belly dance from Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance. She’s taught her style, CTS, at the Pomona Valley Hospital Center, Scripps College in Claremont, online, and aboard cruise ships. Robin is also an author (The Dance of Leadership), business school professor, executive life coach, and diversity-equity- inclusion consultant ( DrRobinJohnson.com ).
Heidi Hernandez - Snellville, Georgia
Heidi is a 1st generation Afro-Cuban American dancer based in the metro-Atlanta area who’s sparking the joy of movement amongst her ballet, tap, musical theater, Cuban timba and transnational fusion dance students who range in age from young to young at heart. When she’s not teaching she’s geeking out over the history and science of movement, crafting or cooking. www.heidibaila.com
Whitney - Athens, Georgia
Whitney has been studying and teaching Middle Eastern dance for over 10 years. She is currently level 2 certified in both Suhaila and Jamila formats, and recently performed with Bal Anat on their 50th anniversary tour. Also a martial artist and yogi, Whitney loves sharing space and growth through movement. She is thrilled to add Improv Team Sync to her movement practice and become a part of the Sigil family.
Shelly DeCant - Sacramento, California
Shelly has been dancing and teaching I.T.S. for over 17 years. She has been active in the Sacramento dance and fitness scene, teaching regular movement classes at Hot Pot Studios and online classes via zoom. A founding member of UNMATA and the director of Up In Smoke Fire and Flow Troupe. You can find her on Facebook at Shelly UNMATA.
Meena - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Meena has explored movement styles her whole life. She enjoys the vibe of ITS because it feels like a blend of the structured discipline of a classical style and the authentic joyful connection of a folk dance. Meena’s decade of enthusiasm for Improv Team Sync is fueled by the energy of the community working together in this clever movement game. She is forever grateful for the physical and therapeutic benefits of this dance in her healing journey. She has studied with Amy Sigil, Kari Vanderzwaag, Joanna Abel, and many other amazing ITS teachers, locally, nationally (including Hot Pot studios), and internationally. Since certifying as an ITS teacher in 2018, Meena has used innovative technology and multi-modal teaching in her level 1 and 2 classes and workshops. She is a Board Certified special education school teacher, who uses Improv Team Sync with children with behavioral needs and has observed an increase in cooperation, focus, social skills, spatial awareness, critical thinking, and academic progress. She currently hosts virtual ITS parties and enjoys the opportunities to learn from dancers worldwide. You can find Meena at www.itsmeena.com