Laman Hendricks is an acrobatic gymnast, Azerbaijani and Caucasus folk dancer, teacher, and choreographer, as well as the Artistic Director and Founder of Dances of Caucasus. Born and raised in Azerbaijan and Turkey, she trained in classical ballet and folk dance at the Baku Choreography Academy while also competing as a member of Azerbaijan’s national gymnastics team and founding the country’s first post-Soviet women’s cycling team. A silver medalist in both cycling and mountain climbing, Laman has combined her athleticism with artistry, earning recognition at the 2015 Rakkas Istanbul International Dance Festival for her innovative performance as a male Caucasus dance part. She has since performed and taught at festivals and events across the United States and internationally, sharing the rich traditions of Azerbaijani dance while continuing to explore the intersections of ballet, gymnastics, Middle Eastern dance, and folk heritage.