About Us

About Manhattan Tribal Belly Dance...

Manhattan Tribal™ is New York City’s first American Tribal Style
Belly Dance company. Founded in 2007 and directed by Mimi
Fontana, Manhattan Tribal brings this unique West Coast–
originated format of modern world dance to the New York City
and tri-state area.

American Tribal Style Belly Dance relies on a movement
vocabulary infused with non-verbal “cues” that
empower a group of dancers to improvise together while giving the
appearance of a choreographed dance piece. The dancers weave
their story spontaneously as they interact and communicate with
each other and their audience making every performance fresh and
exciting.

Manhattan Tribal has wowed audiences in the US and Internationally and Director Mimi Fontana, with over a decade of experience in Middle Eastern Dance formats, has taught and performed throughout the United States and Europe.

Mimi and Manhattan Tribal's mission is to spread awareness of the complexity and beauty of this exceptional belly dance style created by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance.

In 2008 Mimi Fontana received the honor of becoming FatChanceBellyDance Sister Studios and are Certified to Teach ATS by
Carolena Nericcio the creator of American Tribal Style Belly Dance. In 2009 and 2010 respectively, Kate Reid and Maria Naja Richardson also received their Sister Studio Status. MT members, Heather Bondra, Debbie Lakis and Stephanie Rubino are all FCBD General Skills Certified.

We are your go-to for quality ATS classes in the NYC area so please check out our class page!

For more information on FCBD the creators of ATS Belly Dance,
and Sister Studios worldwide, please go to www.fcbd.com

Current Manhattan Tribal Troupe Members are:
Mimi Fontana, Kate Reid, Heather Bondra, Rachel Ehrlich
Debbie Lakis, Maria Richardson and Stephanie Rubino

Manhattan Tribal Alumni Members: Leigh Ann Eliseo, Sarah Gallogly, Micol Raab