Anka Kusu - Musicians

Miriam H.F. Berger
Director/Choreographer

A founding member of Anka Kusu, Miriam had her first ballet dance lesson before she was 5 years old and began studying jazz dance soon after. High school and college saw continued dance experience along with involvement in acting, stage choreography, and theatrical makeup. Involvement in local Renaissance Festivals gave Miriam her initial contact with belly dancing. It’s where Miriam had her first direct contact, and her first informal lesson in the ancient art which cemented her love for it. She began formal study of belly dance in 2004 and has never looked back. Miriam’s current focus is ATS (American Tribal Style) and its many offshoots, with a healthy dose of Middle Eastern folkloric style movement.

Jenness Territo
Choreography Assistant

Jenness stepped into her very first dance class ever in 2005, when she tried a class with Peggy Eckert. It wasn’t long before Jenness decided this was way too much fun and that continued study was a necessity in her life. Jenness has continued her study of Belly dance with other teachers, classes, and seminars, and plans to keep learning every chance she gets. She has performed with Anka Kusu since their inception.

Tina Lubin

Tina's interest in Tribal Fusion Belly Dance started in 2005 when a friend convinced her to join the fun in Peggy Eckert’s class. Casual interest soon turned to abiding love and Tina began adding more classes to her schedule. A member of Anka Kasu since 2008, Tina enjoys combining her love of dancing with the theater and performance skills she cultivated in college.

Athena McAlarney

Athena is a second generation belly dancer who followed in the footsteps of her mother, a former dancer at the Tampa Bay Area Renaissance Festival. Despite a lack of formal belly dance classes during her Key West childhood, Athena has managed to hone her skills through a combination of other dance and movement styles, including ballet, modern dance, and even drill team. When she received an invitation to perform with Anka Kasu, her love of belly dance returned. Athena has restarted her formal study of belly dance, through classes and workshops.

Linda "Lydia" Finne

Linda has been belly dancing on and off since the 80’s; her skills, smile, and exceptional zills performance have quickly made her a recognizable figure in the SCA. Linda has outlasted 3 dance partners and 2 troupes, and she is now thrilled to be exploring tribal style dancing with Anka Kusu. Lydia also runs a weekly drum circle and can be seen playing her doumbek with Peshembe!, a Middle Eastern-style band.

Barbara Klein

Like a lot of young girls, Barbara began studying dance and movement through a combination of ballet, tap, jazz, and gymnastics. She continued her study and her interest in performance throughout high school and college, eventually becoming a Theater Major in college. Barbara was invited to join Anka Kasu in the summer of 2008 and has proven to herself, her troupe members, and her audience that "you're never to old to learn new things".

Lisa H. DeVos

Lisa began studying belly dance in 2004, while out on the west coast. After arriving back east, she began taking Tribal Improv Style classes and found a true love for the dance. Lisa teaches a beginning level tribal class and enjoys stage managing various belly dance shows in the New Jersey area. Lisa is very excited to have joined Anka Kusu as a dancer in the fall of 2009.