Serpentina began with partners Joanna and Orkideh in New York City. They began dancing together via a tribal dance workshop in October 2004 with Sarah Locke and Susan Frankovich; this workshop later evolved into the eight-piece troupe, the Alchemy Tribal Collective.

After numerous performances with the Collective, Orkideh and Joanna performed as a duet at an outdoor faire. They continued to develop their own style, fusing their background in traditional bellydance with tribal fusion, Classical Persian and Indian dance styles (bhangra, Bollywood and kathak.)

Serpentina performed in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and various spots in Northern New Jersey. They have also taught workshops, such as at the Black Sun Festival in New Haven. They parted ways amicably, when Orkideh moved to Canada in October 2007.

In December 2007, Orkideh formed The Serpentina North Ensemble, based in Toronto, Canada. The members are Steph, Elana, Bean, Daluah, and auxiliary members, Rosanna, Zoe Serious and Lopa.

Orkideh is the director of the Serpentina North Ensemble. She began studying bellydance in 2000 with Safiya in New York City. Bellydance has proven to be an integral part of her life, and she built upon this solid foundation of training with tribal fusion. She discovered her love of ATS and the special commaderie of dancing with other women. She is constantly looking for inspiration with integrating other dance styles and seeks to continue growing as a performer, teacher, and choreographer. She considers the bond with her troupemates to be an honour. Orkideh became a certified ATS teacher by Fat Chance Bellydance in October 2009.

Steph began formal training in dance only a few years ago. She was introduced to bellydance through her local community center, and became enamoured with the fact that this form of dance is accepting of all body shapes and types. She trained mostly in Egyptian cabaret for almost two years at a studio in Richmond Hill, and performed at the studio’s hafla. Due to disparaging ideas with her instructor, Stephanie decided to discontinue taking classes. Almost a year later, she found an invitation online to try out for a new Tribal dance troupe in Toronto, and, as a result, gladly became a member of the Serpentina North Ensemble. Having never danced tribal before, this is an entirely new experience for her, but she has been enjoying it thoroughly!

Zoe was lucky enough to start her belly dancing addiction at the ATS (American Tribal Style) mothership, Fat Chance Belly Dance, in San Francisco back in 2004. Since then she has continued to dance around the world studying tribal fusion from Toronto to Melbourne. She is proud to have received her ATS General Skills certificate from Carolena and Megha when they taught in Toronto in 2008 and loves the interplay between dancers that happens when dancing improv with a tribal troupe. With a background in figure skating and over 15 years of experience fire spinning staff and poi, a love of hula hooping and a passion for costumes, Zoe has found a home with the women of Serpentina North where she can express her creativity and collaborate with such incredible and talented women who share a love of dance, movement and fun!

Elana discovered bellydance a few years ago through a class at the gym, and fell in love with the art form. She has studied predominantly Egyptian style, but enjoys exploring other styles and training with different teachers, as she finds it inspirational and it gives her a new perspective on the dance. In addition to bellydance, Elana has taken workshops in hooping, Kathak and Bollywood dance. A friend encouraged her to audition for Serpentina North, and Elana instantly felt a connection with the troupe’s unique blend of ATS and tribal fusion bellydance, with a sprinkling of Indian and other dance styles. She is pleased to be a member of the troupe and looks forward to training and performing with these wonderful dancers.

Lopa began her dance training in the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam. She then forayed into Bollywood and Bhangra dance. Lopa has taught and performed globally including the United Kingdom, Mexico, and the Bahamas. She has always been a fan of tribal bellydance and when she met Orkideh her tribal dreams came true. Lopa is proud to be a member of Serpentina North and to join such a talented and supportive group of women artists.