Vanessa Paddock

Vanessa, co-founder of Wild Lily, stumbled on bellydance during her studies at Memorial University in 2006. Though actively involved in music, theatre, and dance since a young age, nothing compares to the joy, creativity and passion that bellydance has brought into her life.

Vanessa has studied intensively with Andrea Kitta of the Neighbourhood Strays, joining the troupe officially in 2008. She now dances with her own troupe, Seraka, and performs regularly in and around St. John’s. She currently plays a major hand in choreography and artistic direction with Seraka.

Vanessa is dedicated in keeping her own skills sharp, her creativity pushing in new directions, and her studies up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. She travels regularly for training, continuing her study of bellydance through workshops with top dancers, including Audra Simmons (Toronto), Monique Ryan (Halifax), Ainsley Dicks (Connecticut), and Bellydance Superstar Samantha Emanuel (UK). Her upcoming travels include classes with Mira Betz (California), Colleena Shakti (India) and Olivia Kissel (Pennsylvania). She has also taken classes in Breakdance (B-Girl), Hip Hop, Modern, Flamenco, Adult Ballet, and Argentine Tango – thoroughly enjoying each new learning experience.

Teaching is a true passion of hers, and she lives by the philosophy that bellydance can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, shape or size. She believes that a solid foundation in isolations and technique is key to being able to express yourself creatively through music and dance. She breaks technique & concepts down to the fundamentals so that students can have a better understanding of how a movement should look, feel and be properly executed. One of the joys of bellydance is that there is such an open door for creativity and she encourages everyone to push themselves to express their own individuality, and to have fun – because that’s just what dance is!