"Sedona—Belly Dancer 2008"
Jareeda Magazine
November/December 2008

Here are some questions for you.
 
You recently won Belly Dancer USA.  What was that experience like?
Preparing and competing in Belly Dancer USA was a huge growing experience for me. I worked harder in preparation for it than any other competion. While preparing and actually competing I had to let go and overcome many fears, insecurities, and anxieties. There were days when I was so excited to compete; I loved my music and was feeling inspired. And then there were other days when I couldn’t stand my music or my routine, and I had anxiety about who would be there or how I would do. At the competition it was very similar--there were moments when I was extremely relaxed and just happy to be with so many kindred spirits, at a wonderful event that supported my art, but then there were definite moments of stress and seriousness. I had to learn through all of this to surrender any worry, fear, and ego, to trust and honor my own uniqueness. I continually reminded myself that I was there out of love for my art, sharing my passion with a supportive community. That all I had to do was let go, let my music take me, and give my dance as a joyful gift to everyone present.

Do you feel that being Belly Dancer USA 2008 will be a career boost?
Absolutely, and that’s one of the reasons I choose to participate in competitions. There are of course many ways that competitions are helpful and important. But the exposure I might gain from placing at this specific competition was definitely one of the things that inspired me to enter. Holding such a prestigious title is great for business. But besides that, competitions help dancers to grow in so many ways. It helps us learn how to coach ourselves, builds our confidence, and teaches us to overcome fears and nervousness. Plus all of the actual technical work we have to do to prepare, the experience of learning how to “present yourself,” and the invaluable feedback from judges. I compete for all these reasons. However, I always know that belly dancing is still an art, and art is subjective. What moves and inspires one person might not resonate with the next. Therefore, it’s impossible to really decide who is the “best.”

Would you recommend comp?
Yes, absolutely. I recommend competing for the abovementioned reasons, but only on one condition: a dancer must promise herself that win, lose, or draw, she will find something positive out of her competition experience. If a dancer stays aligned with the purpose to use the competion as a positive growth and learning process than she/he is already a winner!
 
What are your belly dance career goals?
It’s always been my dream to travel and perform. For as long as I can remember these have been my two biggest passions. If belly dance took me to new and exciting places I would be ecstatic. Belly dance has also helped me to open up to one of my other new found interests: production. I would love to produce some large dance shows and performance videos. Then eventually, when I feel like settling down, I’ll open my own studio for sacred movement arts.
 
What drew you to belly dancing?
Really we should ask what drew belly dancing to me. About five and half years ago I went to a big music festival in California. As soon as I got there, my friend gifted me with a lovely coin belt. I’d never even seen a belly dancer, but I put the belt on and was instantly transformed! All of my awareness shot down to my hips and belly. I was suddenly moving in ways I’d never even thought of. I wore the belt and danced my butt off for four days. Everyone at the festival began to call me “the belly dancer.” There was a belly dancer just waiting inside me, and when I put the belt on, she was awakened. I immediately came back to Portland and started taking lessons. I had always had a passion for performance, but the more I studied Middle Eastern dance, the more I realized: this is what I was meant to do. It’s my perfect medium. The sacred and ancient history, emotional music, elaborate costuming, and spiritual principles have truly captured my heart and soul.
 
How long have you been dancing, who are your favorite teachers and how long do you practice each week?
I’ve been dancing 5 ½ years. I practice anywhere from 2-10 hours per week depending on what else is going on at the time. I come from such a melting pot of teachers, and I deeply appreciate what each one has contributed to me and my dance. I’ve studied under Suhaila, Aida Nour, Hadia, Ansuya, Rachel George, Aziza, Ruby Sowder and Orit Maftsir.
 
Where do you get your costumes?
Mainly Amira of Pharonics and Sim Moda of Turkey.

Is your family supportive of your art form?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve always been the wild child of my family, traveling the world and exploring many different arts and ideas. I pretty much took them on a rollercoaster ride of my constantly changing whims and interests. By the time I started to belly dance they were to the point where they had evened out and could just say, “that’s nice honey.” But, now that I’ve been truly committed for 5 years and am experiencing some exciting success, they’re very excited and happy for me. My mom, dad, and brother all came to watch my troupe compete in California. That was really special. One of my most memorable and fun shows was on my birthday when both my parents flew up and came to the show. They also sent a big bouquet of flowers after I placed first in Belly Dancer USA--I cried. I’m also extremely blessed to have a supportive and wonderful habibi; he’s been with me every step of the way and is my true and unwavering fan.

What are some of your favorite belly dance experiences?
I love performing with my troupe, Raks Awalim. I’m so, so lucky to be part of a troupe with such amazing and fun women that get along so well. Any performance we do together is always so fulfilling. It’s great to be able to share fun and exciting (and sometimes crazy) performance experiences with a group of women that I love and respect. One of my other favorite experiences would have to be teaching at the Northern California Women Herbal Symposium this last May. I taught sacred belly dance workshops to young girls and teens. The little girls 4-11 were the most adorable things I had ever seen. They were so creative and open to movement. The teens (young women ages 12 -19) were totally amazing, they were like sponges soaking up all the info I gave them. I couldn’t believe their focus and thirst for knowledge about belly dance. They are at such a special and sacred time in their lives, and so beautiful. I got choked up a few times teaching.
 
Where is your favorite place to perform?
Definitely the Northern California Women’s Herbal Symposium I mentioned before. It’s a women’s wellness gathering for four days in the woods near a river in Northern California. 400 women attend every year. On the second-to-last evening, they build a bonfire and everyone who wants to shares their unique performance art with the group. It’s such a magical setting: among the oaks, around a fire, with 400 loving women of all ages as my audience. It definitely connects me with the “by women, for women” history of our dance. It is literally the most appreciative, respectful audience I have ever performed for.
 
What do you feel you personally contribute to the belly dance community?
On a material level, I have started a troupe and produced numerous local shows and I’ve created many performance opportunities for intermediate and professional dancers and Middle Eastern musicians. I’m a loving and compassionate teacher that is genuinely concerned with connecting new dancers with the sacred traditions of the dance. I’m also just recently hitting the workshop scene. My vast theatre arts background enables me to teach and help other dancers cultivate stage presence and audience connection, things that are desperately needed in our growing world of “technique, technique, technique.” On a more spiritual level, I’ve learned to let my art be my spiritual practice. I try to surrender myself to a higher power and let this be what is present when I dance. I want to be a vessel of love and light, using dance as my medium. I offer all my performances out of love and joy and hopefully can inspire others to do the same.
 
What advice would you give other belly dancers?
Stop and ask yourself: why are you dancing? What do you want to achieve through your dance? Align your dancing with a pure and positive purpose, whether it’s a personal positive or a positive for the community. Honor and respect your own creativity, individuality, and uniqueness. Let your dance be an offering of love: love for yourself, for your art, for your audience, and for the world.