Josie literally grew up in a dance studio where she took classes and eventually began student-teaching. A long time enthusiast and student of many dance forms, none have so captivated her as fire dance. Once she picked up a pair of practice poi in 2001, she knew there was no turning back. After two years in the fire troupe Sintillation and regularly performing with Fire Pixie, Josie co-founded Copper Lantern in 2004. She co-directed the troupe through 2006, focusing primarily on poi choreography and art direction. Currently, she pursues her love of dance at Fat Chance Bellydance in San Francisco, CA and through the Black Rock Arts Foundation.
Josie also takes great delight in fashioning new and original fire toys. Josie received her Bachelors of Fine Arts at CCA, where she focused on drawing, painting and film. A member of the Cloud Factory Design Collective, Josie often collaborates with collective members to stage high fashion shows annually that regularly feature her designs. Often called “Her Craftiness,” Josie has been contracted by numerous dancers and troupes to design fire and practice apparatus, props and costumes. She’s always looking to push the genre of fire dance with the use of costuming, characterization and theatrical elements, and she’s grateful to have found such kindred spirits in Copper Lantern.