Meet INBC's 2024-2026 Board of Directors
Learn more about each of our board members’ roles in the INBC. Please feel free to contact the Board should you have a question, concern, comment, or feedback.
April Denney
President
Laci Watson (Samira)
Vice President
Growing up in a dance environment, Samira discovered her passion for belly dance in 2006, becoming a skilled American Cabaret performer, instructor, and fire artist. She has entertained audiences across the US while also sharing her love for dance through instruction and leading Inferno Vortex.
Kayla Miller
Secretary
Kayla began her journey with ATS/FCBD style in 2016 and has since co-founded the AKA Tribal Bellydance Troupe. The troupe performs at street fairs and festivals and offers workshops to share their passion for dance. Kayla is enthusiastic about exploring new choreography, experimenting with props, and telling stories through movement. She is driven by a desire to create positive change for the collective and is proud to be part of a board that shares this same mission.
Katie Ulmer (Taryn Lasair)
Treasurer
In her formative years, Katie told herself the story that she “can’t dance,” leading to her late blooming interest in movement arts. Her formal journey started at the end of 2017, studying ATS/FCBD with Indy Swords and Shimmies under troupe director Jeana Jorgenson. Katie’s curiosity about new forms of dance has recently led to her to study with the Stygian Collective’s dark metal fusion crew founded by Amanda "Daewen" Garion. Katie appreciates being part of the dance community in a new way as the INBC Treasurer, and hopes to leave a positive mark through collaboration with her peers.
Mutsumi Takahata (Nisreen)
PR Officer
Nisreen is one of few dancers these days versed in the rich traditions of Classic Belly Dance - especially Cabaret Style.Nisreen has many years of experience performing to live music in various venues, including restaurants and concert halls.In January 2023, she relocated from Japan to the U.S. and became a member of Troupe Oasis. She has since taught workshops at many INBC events and has been serving as PR Officer since October 2024.
Andy Smith
Events Coordinator
Andy came to the belly dance world in 2011 with a desire to accompany dancers on the darbuka. He subsequently became enthralled with Middle Eastern, North African and Turkish music, ultimately transitioning to oud (middle eastern lute) in 2016. Andy loves collaborating with dancers and is honored to support the mission of the INBC by serving as a Director.
Board of Directors Duties & Responsibilities
The INBC Board of Directors is comprised of elected volunteers who work as a team to plan INBC events, hold positions within the committees and teams, support our members by taking members requests, represent the members in meetings, answer members questions, and make sure the legacy of INBC continues on. Each position has general requirements and tasks.
Elections are held every 2 years where people can remain in the same position for up to 2 terms (4 years), but they have to run again when each term ends. If positions aren’t filled there can be moments when people fill those positions in the interim until another election takes place.
Click on a a position to learn the duties and responsibilities of that role.
The President provides the vision of where the organization is heading and what it can aspire to be. They also oversee the other Officers and run the INBC Board Meetings. They are the highest level of all of the Directors.
The Vice President is responsible for membership and member renewals. The Vice President can help with the other departments, and also stands in representation of the President when the President isn’t available.
The Board Secretary keeps track of agenda items and prepares minutes for INBC Board Meetings, and they are responsible for maintaining all archives for the organization.
The Treasurer is responsible for managing the financial part of INBC. This includes reimbursing expenses, filing tax returns and other required government forms, and preparing a financial report at each Board meeting.
The Public Relations Officer uses social media, email, and other advertising mediums to keep members and the general public engaged and informed as to upcoming events and other INBC activities. This is one of the most active positions on the board.
The events coordinator acts as a liaison between various event committees and the Board of Directors.
The webmaster assumes primary responsibility for ensuring that INBC’s website is maintained, updated, and improved as appropriate.