What do you call a bunch of belly dancers?

At Jennifer Rhyne's Samadhi studio at Hurricane, they are called a troupe.

"Most people have seen belly dancers performing solo," Rhyne said. "That's the cabaret style. In modern tribal fusion style, we dance as a group."

The group can be as small as three accomplished dancers, while a student troupe could have 20 or 25. "Typically, a beginning student is ready to perform after about 12 weeks, Rhyne said.

Rhyne, who also goes by the name Amira Nagi, started a new session of classes this week. She currently has about 25 students, and has had as many as 40.

"Tribal fusion is half performance art. We interact with each other while dancing. It's largely improvisational, with some leading with cues and others following. Usually the audience can't tell it's not choreographed."

Belly dancing has come a long way from its Middle Eastern roots. The traditional folk dance is popular worldwide, with tribal dancing becoming the fastest-growing style.

Tribal fusion is a blend of styles building on the earlier American tribal style that originated in California.

At any time, several troupes ranging from intermediate to experienced dancers form the tribal fusion group. The troupes perform mostly in the Charleston-Huntington area. Recently, troupes have danced at Wild Wonderful Women's Weekend at the Charleston Civic Center, Aladdin's Restaurant in Kanawha City and at a Halloween party at the Pour House in North Charleston.

Rhyne recently held a one-day workshop at the South Charleston Community Center, where she taught basic moves, including stance and hand motion. Women showed up from Kanawha, Putnam and Cabell counties. She hopes to schedule more classes at the community center.

Since opening Samadhi (a name she said means "bliss") at 2731 Main St. in Hurricane in 2004, Rhyne has taught belly dancing to women of all types. Before that, she gave lessons at the Teays Valley Fire Department.

"We have a belief that dance is for anyone. Any size, any shape you are - it doesn't matter. In fact, it helps to have some heft. All that matters is that you are having fun. I love being with everybody."

When not wearing silks and a coin belt, Rhyne works as a real estate agent and investor. She owns more than 20 rental properties, including several in South Charleston, where she grew up.

"I like to stay busy," she said.

Her studio includes a store where she sells items with an exotic flair. Costuming is less traditional in tribal fusion style, and a variety of pants, skirts and jewelry can be worn. One item Rhyne sells is not often associated with belly dancing - custom hula hoops.

"I attended a workshop in Kentucky and was excited to see performers do all these tricks with a hoop," she said.

Cheap department store hoops won't cut it - they are too light. "I make mine out of irrigation tubing I buy at Lowe's. You stick the ends in boiling water and fasten them with connectors."

Add some decoration using tape and ribbons, and the hoops are ready for a twirl.

She took a stack to South Charleston's Octoberfest, and the hoops were a big hit with kids.

Learning to perform with a hoop can be a bit rough, though. "I would never have thought you could injure yourself with a hula hoop, but I've gotten bruises on my hand and collarbone," Rhyne said.

A six-week session at Samadhi is $60. Classes meet once a week. To see video clips of tribal fusion belly dancing, go to the Samadhi Web site at www.wvbellydance.com. For more information about taking classes, go to the Web site or call 304-552-4168.