abi: Founding Member.
abi is one of the founding members of the Columbia Hoop Troop. He first discovered hoop dance at Dragon*Con 2008, and after returning home, became obsessed with it. That Christmas he made hoops for most of his friends and family, forcing them to learn hooping with him. Hooping was nearly non-existent in Columbia at that time, and it took time for him to find and assemble a core group of hoopers, but in Summer 2009, the Columbia Hoop Troop was officially formed.
Also during the Summer of 2009, he joined Alternacirque as a hoop dancer and began performing. Later that year, he abandoned the hoop troop to travel abroad. We are trying not to hold it against him.
Kalayna Price: Founding Member
Kalayna was originally roped into hooping by abi in February of 2009. While initially reluctant--and probably one of the slowest to learn waist hooping--she soon fell in love with hooping for its child-like fun, health benefits, and the social aspect of gathering to hoop. Before the official formation of CHT, she and abi organized weekly open jams on USC campus, pulling in friends, passerbys, and anyone else they could convince to pick up a hoop.
As an author, Kalayna tends to be invited to interesting places and usually takes her hoop with her in the hope of exposing more people to the joys of hooping. Because of this, she's become quite adept at hooping in heels, skirts, boots, and even corsets.
Gina Wolfe: Founding Member
Gina began hooping in May, 2009 when she found hoops in a field during a festival. A month later, she attended Hoop Path, and she was more than just hooked. She connected with abi and Kalayna at one of their open jams. She was the one who pushed for the Hoop Troop to become organized rather than a random meet-up.
In Winter 2009, she began performing with Alternacirque. She is also the founder of Luna Trix, the Columbia performing and teaching troupe.
Rachel Romatoski: Original Member
Rachel joined the Hoop Troop during her time in an exchange program at USC. She brought new tricks and skills to the troupe, and is missed now that she has returned to Wisconsin.
Katie Rubben: Original Member
Also an exchange student at USC, Katie was introduced to the Hoop Troop by her roommate, Rachel. She quickly became a skilled hooper and combined tricks with gymnastics which makes her hoop dance extremely impressive.
Heather: Original Member
Heather is a hooper and a roller derby queen. She's combined the two and performed with her hoop while on skates!
Kay and Rachel: Members
Kay and Rachel joined the hoop troop after the Super Hooper weekend in November 2009. It has been determined that Rachel is the coolest 5th grader we know.
Kerri: Member
Vikki: Member
Kate: Member
Paul: Member
**note: if you regularly attend jams and would like to be included on the members page, just leave a comment with a bio and a link to a picture. If you're already listed on the page and would like to add/change your bio, let us know in the comments! Hoop on everyone.
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