Meet Rebecca Mayher of Becka Bomb in Central

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Mayher.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I fell in love with belly dance as a small child when we would go to Busch Gardens, there were live belly dancers and I was enamored. It was always in my mind thinking about those dancers and how I loved the dance. One day many years later, a coworker asked if I would like to attend a belly dance class with her. One class and 12 years later, I am still belly dancing! I started taking class with Ava Fleming who is a Raq Sharqi trained dancer which that style didn’t feel like it was a right fit for me. Luckily another student asked if I would attend a tribal belly dance class with her and that class just felt like it was the right fit within belly dance for me. K-Lee of Natium World Dance is where I started my love of synchronized troupe improvisation as well as my love of emceeing.

In my research of all things within this newfound belly dance form I was gravitating towards ATS® which was founded by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance®. I began studying ATS® in 2010 under Lenay Dunn and Jorden Kolding of Kamalah Tribal, an official partner of FatChanceBellyDance® and becoming a member of the professional troupe Kamalah Tribal in 2013. In my love of all things ATS® I became a certified instructor and sister studio of FatChanceBellyDance® in 2017 starting my own classes that year as my directors retired from dance. I began my own journey of teaching dance locally and began teaching dance/costuming/makeup workshops nationally and internationally. I have also been lucky enough to be an emcee for local belly dance and burlesque shows here in Phoenix.

Has it been a smooth road?
A big struggle for me was finding my own identity within ATS® dance when our troupe directors retired. ATS® is very much a group dance and as a soloist I had to figure out my own journey and adapt it to the dance. It is also a struggle in how to stand out in a crowd of belly dance instructors – what do you have to offer that is different and how do you capitalize on that,

Please tell us about Becka Bomb.
One of the things I am proud truly proud of is the collaborative belly dance project that I manage called LookingGlass Collective. This allows me to work with different dancers across dance styles that focuses on creating work, contribute a piece of choreography, and performing. This a fun, collaborative, and kind environment where the dancers can get together, create dance, and have fun.

My goal is to convey joy and love of dance in a way that is approachable, fun and talented. No pressure no judgment learning atmosphere

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Online classes and content. The ability to offer online coaching and learning seems to be a trend within the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beckabomb.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckabomb/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeckaBomb/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beckabomb

Image Credit:
The Dancers Eye – Fine Art Bellydance Photography

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