DanceCraft Dancers
Many Faces & Talents
A Journey through Joy, Friendships & Personal Growth
Renee Oij - Student Dancer
Dancecraft is more than just a dance class- it is a vibrant community of women who learn to live in the moment through the practice of dance. There is no choreography to memorize, so the dancers must follow the cues of a leader who guides the group, leaving no time for random thoughts or worries. When the music fills the room, the ladies move in harmony with the song and sisters that they dance with. Over time, the steps become instinctive, and the collective energy is both invigorating and uplifting.
I joined Dancecraft with no formal dance training, but from my very first class, I was hooked. The ladies in the group come from various backgrounds, but they all share a kindness that makes a stranger feel not strange. Their support helped me learn the basics and gradually take on more complex steps. With each new challenge, I discovered a growing sense of accomplishment and confidence. Even on days when I arrived feeling tired, I left with a genuine smile that radiates from within.
Much of the group’s spirit comes from our leader, Jaynellen Arrington. Her background in American Tribal Belly Dance brings a California gypsy flair to our classes. Through her fearless leadership and honest yet kind feedback, she encourages us to grow as dancers and individuals. Her dedication to the craft and our group sets the tone for everything we do.
Dancecraft has become a source of joy, friendship, and personal growth for me. I am grateful to be part of a community of inspiring women that I refer to as “dance sisters.”
Dancecraft is more than just a dance class- it is a vibrant community of women who learn to live in the moment through the practice of dance. There is no choreography to memorize, so the dancers must follow the cues of a leader who guides the group, leaving no time for random thoughts or worries. When the music fills the room, the ladies move in harmony with the song and sisters that they dance with. Over time, the steps become instinctive, and the collective energy is both invigorating and uplifting.
I joined Dancecraft with no formal dance training, but from my very first class, I was hooked. The ladies in the group come from various backgrounds, but they all share a kindness that makes a stranger feel not strange. Their support helped me learn the basics and gradually take on more complex steps. With each new challenge, I discovered a growing sense of accomplishment and confidence. Even on days when I arrived feeling tired, I left with a genuine smile that radiates from within.
Much of the group’s spirit comes from our leader, Jaynellen Arrington. Her background in American Tribal Belly Dance brings a California gypsy flair to our classes. Through her fearless leadership and honest yet kind feedback, she encourages us to grow as dancers and individuals. Her dedication to the craft and our group sets the tone for everything we do.
Dancecraft has become a source of joy, friendship, and personal growth for me. I am grateful to be part of a community of inspiring women that I refer to as “dance sisters.”
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Why I Dance
Paula Nelson - Principal Dancer
I dance because it makes me feel whole.
Expression of emotion was frowned on in my family, so emotions didn’t have a chance to grow and take root. My profession for more than 20 years prized emotional restraint, adaptability to perform under stress, and set a moral and loyal example. I have to admit, coming out of this profession was akin to a decompression.
In a world that often rewards self-possession and restraint, dance is my safe space. When the music starts, something releases — walls I didn’t know I had built come down, masks fall off — one 8-count at a time. Pain disappears. Sadness becomes movement. Anger becomes rhythm. Even joy finds a shape. I do not perform; I am letting emotions pass through me the way they were always meant to.
But dance is not only about feeling — it is about healing. There is something quietly powerful about returning to your body, especially after life has pulled you away from it. Every time I dance, I am reclaiming something. A hard week, a heavy loss, a version of myself I thought I had lost — dance has a way of giving it all back, gently. The movement doesn’t erase what hurts, but it transforms it. What enters as pain often leaves as peace.
For me, dance is an integral part of my lifestyle. I got serious with it in 2006 and started taking classes with several instructors, and I have been with Dance Craft since its inception in 2010. The group is like a family, but better. Like my personal Qigong and Tai Chi practice, I could no more quit dance than I could stop breathing; it’s that much a part of my being.
With practice, everything about dance becomes second nature, allowing the world to fall away and leaving me simply, fully Here. Now. In my body. In the music. In myself. Out of the darkness into curiosity and creation. Dancing teaches me that feeling deeply is not weakness, and that healing is not a destination — and it is something I return to, again and again, like a song that comes from my soul.
Paula is a Certified DCBD Level 1 & Level 2 Instructor + ATS/FCBD GS & TT
Why We Dance
Tracy Lawrence - Principal Dancer
Dance is a PASSION. Without passion, you can never achieve your personal best. Dance has become an integral part of my life over the past 12 years. It is my heart, my soul, and my breath. It helps me with every other aspect of my life. In other words, it has now “defined” me in such a way, that without it, my happiness and motivation would cease. It is a commitment to myself and my self-preservation.
When I first joined this very different form of belly dancing over 12 years ago, I was reluctant and frustrated. There were many times I wanted to walk away because I was feeling defeated, but a force kept pushing me to improve on something out of my comfort zone. Tribal belly dancing challenges your dance abilities in a way no other dance can. I realized that struggling through and being more patient with myself was the only way I would begin to master this amazing dance style.
I have struggled with severe scoliosis and back issues since I was 13 years old. Much of the technique taught with tribal belly dance helps to strengthen the “core” muscles, which in turn has dramatically helped improve my back pain. It is much like physical therapy, but so much more fun!
The ladies of Dancecraft have become my family. We are sisters on and off the dance floor. Jaynellen and Paula are the “mama bears” who have been the catalyst in molding us into our best selves. They have shown that with commitment and dedication, anything is achievable. This dance club is so engaging and approachable by other women who want to be just like us. The costuming is fabulous and fulfills my desire to constantly dress out and dress up! Besides the use of our amazing bodies, props add to the mystique and glamour of this beautiful art form. Dancing with swords, baskets, silk veils, and finger cymbals help maintain balance, grace, and rhythm. It is ceremonial and symbolic as part of an alter ego, which allows me to be my true self in a very supportive and non-judgmental way.
This world is full of such negative vibes. Those vibes are left at the door when we dance. The positive energy we give to one another as dance sisters is the best homeopathic medicine available. Dance teaches us to strive for our own personal best. Dance teaches us to lead and to follow in a manner that make us seem like one beautiful entity. Dance provides us with self-esteem, confidence, and strength, that carries over to our everyday lives. We are beautiful together, we are powerful together, we are loved together.
WE ARE DANCECRAFT!
Tracy is a Certified DCBD Level 1 Instructor
Dance is a PASSION. Without passion, you can never achieve your personal best. Dance has become an integral part of my life over the past 12 years. It is my heart, my soul, and my breath. It helps me with every other aspect of my life. In other words, it has now “defined” me in such a way, that without it, my happiness and motivation would cease. It is a commitment to myself and my self-preservation.
When I first joined this very different form of belly dancing over 12 years ago, I was reluctant and frustrated. There were many times I wanted to walk away because I was feeling defeated, but a force kept pushing me to improve on something out of my comfort zone. Tribal belly dancing challenges your dance abilities in a way no other dance can. I realized that struggling through and being more patient with myself was the only way I would begin to master this amazing dance style.
I have struggled with severe scoliosis and back issues since I was 13 years old. Much of the technique taught with tribal belly dance helps to strengthen the “core” muscles, which in turn has dramatically helped improve my back pain. It is much like physical therapy, but so much more fun!
The ladies of Dancecraft have become my family. We are sisters on and off the dance floor. Jaynellen and Paula are the “mama bears” who have been the catalyst in molding us into our best selves. They have shown that with commitment and dedication, anything is achievable. This dance club is so engaging and approachable by other women who want to be just like us. The costuming is fabulous and fulfills my desire to constantly dress out and dress up! Besides the use of our amazing bodies, props add to the mystique and glamour of this beautiful art form. Dancing with swords, baskets, silk veils, and finger cymbals help maintain balance, grace, and rhythm. It is ceremonial and symbolic as part of an alter ego, which allows me to be my true self in a very supportive and non-judgmental way.
This world is full of such negative vibes. Those vibes are left at the door when we dance. The positive energy we give to one another as dance sisters is the best homeopathic medicine available. Dance teaches us to strive for our own personal best. Dance teaches us to lead and to follow in a manner that make us seem like one beautiful entity. Dance provides us with self-esteem, confidence, and strength, that carries over to our everyday lives. We are beautiful together, we are powerful together, we are loved together.
WE ARE DANCECRAFT!
Tracy is a Certified DCBD Level 1 Instructor
A Transforming Journey
Karen Hawkins - Principal Dancer
I discovered DanceCraft three years ago and was finally able to connect with a love of dance I'd carried since childhood but never had the chance to explore. Now in my 50s and retired, I've found so much more than just dance classes - I've found sisterhood, friendship, and a community of supportive, kind and fun-loving women who genuinely lift each other up.
Learning the DanceCraft Belly Dance style of synchronized, folkloric-inspired group improv created by our instructor Jayne Arrington has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Every class brings new steps to master and new ways to express myself through dance. The journey has pushed me beyond what I thought possible and opened doors I didn't even know existed.
Dance has transformed so much more than just my physical abilities. It has reshaped my confidence and body image, helping me gain self-esteem and discover my potential as a leader. I'm learning to trust myself, to take risks, and to step into roles I never imagined for myself. The challenges we face together in learning and performing have taught me that growth happens at any age, and that it's never too late to pursue your passion.
Whether we're learning new steps, performing together, or just enjoying each other's company, the bonds we share make every moment special. DanceCraft has become an essential part of who I am, giving me not just a creative outlet, but a community where I truly belong.
A Dance Journey from Water Ballet to Mermaid, to Belly Dancer
Sharon Cihak Elliott - Principal Dancer
I am Sharon Cihak Elliott a student and performer of DanceCraft an folkloric inspired style belly dance. Under the direction of Jayne Arrington owner, teacher and performer for the last 10.5 years. I have learned the different levels of the dance and have also worked with props, such as basket and veil, and have learned to play the zills. I enjoy sewing and creating accessories for my dance costumes, My instructors Jaynellen and Paula are wonderful teachers and amazing performers. The ladies of DanceCraft are a lovely group of women that I have bonded with forming a true sisterhood.
Looking back at my life I enjoyed a lot of dancing throughoutthe years. My mom and dad were my first teachers that taught me how to Polka. I also spent a year learning ballet. I spent a great deal of time at St Pete Beach with my family in my youth. So at one point I had the opportunityt to learn and perform water ballet for the City of St Petersburg Fl. There were also lots of record hops where I spent time dancing with my friends.
I also stayed busy with being a model being photographed as a fashion model, and I also enetered and won three beauty contests.
In the 1960’s I landed my dream job at Weeki Wachee Springs in Henrando County, Florida, and became a Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid! So there I was, so excited to be doing underwater ballet, and still dancing. We learned to eat and drink, do deep dives, and feed the fish, all while under water. We had many opportunities for photos, we were on postcards, and my favorite most memorable times were meeting Elvis Presley and Arthur Godfrey, and performing for a commercial for Timex watches.
We say, “Once a Mermaid Always a Mermaid,” and it’s true!
As the 1980’s approached, the love of the Hawaiian music entered my life and inspired me to take hula lessons and perform. I danced under the name of Bamboo Blonde. My Hawaiian teachers were Princess and Willie Kaiam. I learned to use the Uli Uli feather gourd that rattles and Puili bamboo sticks. I loved dancing and performing for folks at Hawaiian parties. IT was at this time that I also learned to Line Dance and started performing with Cindy Wiley’s Country Dancers at fairs and retirement homes.
My husband always said he went fishing at Weeki Wachee Springs and caught a Mermaid! Together we enjoyed many years of going out with friends and dancing, and I still enjoy swimming.
Wow, and here I am in 2026 and having the time of my life dancing with my lovely DanceCraft sisters. If you love to dance like I do, come join us sometime. No experience needed, and you will fit right in!
I am Sharon Cihak Elliott a student and performer of DanceCraft an folkloric inspired style belly dance. Under the direction of Jayne Arrington owner, teacher and performer for the last 10.5 years. I have learned the different levels of the dance and have also worked with props, such as basket and veil, and have learned to play the zills. I enjoy sewing and creating accessories for my dance costumes, My instructors Jaynellen and Paula are wonderful teachers and amazing performers. The ladies of DanceCraft are a lovely group of women that I have bonded with forming a true sisterhood.
Looking back at my life I enjoyed a lot of dancing throughoutthe years. My mom and dad were my first teachers that taught me how to Polka. I also spent a year learning ballet. I spent a great deal of time at St Pete Beach with my family in my youth. So at one point I had the opportunityt to learn and perform water ballet for the City of St Petersburg Fl. There were also lots of record hops where I spent time dancing with my friends.
I also stayed busy with being a model being photographed as a fashion model, and I also enetered and won three beauty contests.
In the 1960’s I landed my dream job at Weeki Wachee Springs in Henrando County, Florida, and became a Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid! So there I was, so excited to be doing underwater ballet, and still dancing. We learned to eat and drink, do deep dives, and feed the fish, all while under water. We had many opportunities for photos, we were on postcards, and my favorite most memorable times were meeting Elvis Presley and Arthur Godfrey, and performing for a commercial for Timex watches.
We say, “Once a Mermaid Always a Mermaid,” and it’s true!
As the 1980’s approached, the love of the Hawaiian music entered my life and inspired me to take hula lessons and perform. I danced under the name of Bamboo Blonde. My Hawaiian teachers were Princess and Willie Kaiam. I learned to use the Uli Uli feather gourd that rattles and Puili bamboo sticks. I loved dancing and performing for folks at Hawaiian parties. IT was at this time that I also learned to Line Dance and started performing with Cindy Wiley’s Country Dancers at fairs and retirement homes.
My husband always said he went fishing at Weeki Wachee Springs and caught a Mermaid! Together we enjoyed many years of going out with friends and dancing, and I still enjoy swimming.
Wow, and here I am in 2026 and having the time of my life dancing with my lovely DanceCraft sisters. If you love to dance like I do, come join us sometime. No experience needed, and you will fit right in!
A Journey through Dance, Music & Life
Claudia Campbell - Principal Dancer
My name is Claudia and I’m delighted to share my dance journey with DanceCraft .
I have been around music since I was a child . My Mom was a piano teacher in our home and I grew up hearing all kinds of music , it was wonderful .
I had the opportunity to take ballet lessons when I was five years old and even performed with a group of students in a recital , I enjoyed it .
The years passed and when I was around twelve years old I attended a dance camp for several summers , it was a free movement type of dance ,I really enjoyed it ! I didn’t do any other structured dancing after that except for dancing at home to whatever music was on the radio .
I finished high school , went to college and had fun dancing at some of the local clubs with my girlfriends.
I got married had a family and did some networking for our business and cared for our parents . I realized that I really didn’t have a group of women friends other than the parents I met through our children friends , some I stayed in touch with and others faded away.
I think it is really important for women to have friends they enjoy spending time with.
I continued to go to networking meetings and this particular meeting I heard a woman speaking about her business , it had to do with dancing ! Her name was Jaynellen Arrington and she handed me a voucher for her business called “DanceCraft” for a free belly dance class ! Wow that sounded like fun and I had no idea about this kind of dance.
I decided it might be really fun , so on Tuesday night January 13,2013 I went to my first class at a local church. There were maybe eight or so ladies some dressed up in skirts , some in casual clothes and they all seemed really happy to be together.
I really didn’t know any of these type of steps they were doing , I tried the best I could to follow them. There was footwork and arm work being done in concert with one another , I thought how I am I going to manage this ? Jaynellen explained to me you learn things in layers . You learn the footwork first then the arm work and eventually the bodywork, oh my goodness , could I do this ? I had fun that night and decided to sign up for a month , that happened to be four classes. All these ladies were so welcoming and friendly and I really liked that !
I continued dancing and enjoyed a sense of belonging , having friends who were looking for the same thing . They were encouraging and we all enjoyed dancing together !
We practiced in class and I got better at doing some of these steps . We had the opportunity to dance at the “ Blueberry Festival 'it was a once a year event , it was a big deal . People came from all over Florida and some from out of state. Dancers , musicians and venders , it was and amazing weekend full of very talented people ! The energy was incredible !
I started at level one basic steps and transitions, I / we all wanted to be like our sisters dancers that had taken many more years of classes ! Their costumes were beautiful, they wore these amazing 25 yard skirts and as they made turns their skirts twirled ad floated in the air , yes having the awesome privilege to dance with them wearing a 25 yard skirt was something I wanted to work towards !
All my friends / dance sisters became and continue to be ,special part of my world ! It is not often in life you find a group of women that empower, encourage and continually want their fellow sisters to succeed ! I found them !
I was asked to start taking level two classes in 2016 , of course I would ! ATS FCBD(fast) classes became available to take as well ! I continued taking these classes and our level one basic classes , you can never practice the basic steps enough , they are our building blocks .
COVID hit in 2020 and we all wondered what was going to happen ? How could we be together, dance and stay connected ? Jaynellen made it possible for all of us to take classes on zoom ( I thought how is that even possible , to take classes in my living room ) ? It was and continues to be a totally different way of learning , it is amazing !
Fast forward to 2022 and we are back taking in person classes and continuing our zoom classes as well . W e have had all these wonderful opportunities to do performances as well .
I have learned 4 different types of dance level 1 , 2 , FCBD fast, slow to perform with a basket and a veil . I even had a chance to do a solo !
In 2023 I was given a “ Certified Instructor DanceCraft level 1 “ certificate . I was totally blown away with this compliment and incredible honor !
Throughout these 13 years , I have a greater sense of confidence and gratitude for this beautiful journey , it is a loving project in progress!
I am truly grateful to my family for their support ! To all my dance sisters for their love, friendships , sisterhood and for sharing their beautiful energy and journey with me ! You are always there and know I’m always here for you !
Many thanks and love to Jaynellen Arrington and her Co instructor Paula Nelson .
Claudia is a DCBD Certfied Level 1 Instructor
My name is Claudia and I’m delighted to share my dance journey with DanceCraft .
I have been around music since I was a child . My Mom was a piano teacher in our home and I grew up hearing all kinds of music , it was wonderful .
I had the opportunity to take ballet lessons when I was five years old and even performed with a group of students in a recital , I enjoyed it .
The years passed and when I was around twelve years old I attended a dance camp for several summers , it was a free movement type of dance ,I really enjoyed it ! I didn’t do any other structured dancing after that except for dancing at home to whatever music was on the radio .
I finished high school , went to college and had fun dancing at some of the local clubs with my girlfriends.
I got married had a family and did some networking for our business and cared for our parents . I realized that I really didn’t have a group of women friends other than the parents I met through our children friends , some I stayed in touch with and others faded away.
I think it is really important for women to have friends they enjoy spending time with.
I continued to go to networking meetings and this particular meeting I heard a woman speaking about her business , it had to do with dancing ! Her name was Jaynellen Arrington and she handed me a voucher for her business called “DanceCraft” for a free belly dance class ! Wow that sounded like fun and I had no idea about this kind of dance.
I decided it might be really fun , so on Tuesday night January 13,2013 I went to my first class at a local church. There were maybe eight or so ladies some dressed up in skirts , some in casual clothes and they all seemed really happy to be together.
I really didn’t know any of these type of steps they were doing , I tried the best I could to follow them. There was footwork and arm work being done in concert with one another , I thought how I am I going to manage this ? Jaynellen explained to me you learn things in layers . You learn the footwork first then the arm work and eventually the bodywork, oh my goodness , could I do this ? I had fun that night and decided to sign up for a month , that happened to be four classes. All these ladies were so welcoming and friendly and I really liked that !
I continued dancing and enjoyed a sense of belonging , having friends who were looking for the same thing . They were encouraging and we all enjoyed dancing together !
We practiced in class and I got better at doing some of these steps . We had the opportunity to dance at the “ Blueberry Festival 'it was a once a year event , it was a big deal . People came from all over Florida and some from out of state. Dancers , musicians and venders , it was and amazing weekend full of very talented people ! The energy was incredible !
I started at level one basic steps and transitions, I / we all wanted to be like our sisters dancers that had taken many more years of classes ! Their costumes were beautiful, they wore these amazing 25 yard skirts and as they made turns their skirts twirled ad floated in the air , yes having the awesome privilege to dance with them wearing a 25 yard skirt was something I wanted to work towards !
All my friends / dance sisters became and continue to be ,special part of my world ! It is not often in life you find a group of women that empower, encourage and continually want their fellow sisters to succeed ! I found them !
I was asked to start taking level two classes in 2016 , of course I would ! ATS FCBD(fast) classes became available to take as well ! I continued taking these classes and our level one basic classes , you can never practice the basic steps enough , they are our building blocks .
COVID hit in 2020 and we all wondered what was going to happen ? How could we be together, dance and stay connected ? Jaynellen made it possible for all of us to take classes on zoom ( I thought how is that even possible , to take classes in my living room ) ? It was and continues to be a totally different way of learning , it is amazing !
Fast forward to 2022 and we are back taking in person classes and continuing our zoom classes as well . W e have had all these wonderful opportunities to do performances as well .
I have learned 4 different types of dance level 1 , 2 , FCBD fast, slow to perform with a basket and a veil . I even had a chance to do a solo !
In 2023 I was given a “ Certified Instructor DanceCraft level 1 “ certificate . I was totally blown away with this compliment and incredible honor !
Throughout these 13 years , I have a greater sense of confidence and gratitude for this beautiful journey , it is a loving project in progress!
I am truly grateful to my family for their support ! To all my dance sisters for their love, friendships , sisterhood and for sharing their beautiful energy and journey with me ! You are always there and know I’m always here for you !
Many thanks and love to Jaynellen Arrington and her Co instructor Paula Nelson .
Claudia is a DCBD Certfied Level 1 Instructor