Resume

Shems Veil

Awards and Honors

  • 2nd Runner Up

    2010 Project Belly Dance
    Reality Show

  • Josephine Baker Theatrical Award

    2009 Belly Dance Nationals
    Linthicum, MD

  • National Proptastic Champion

    2009 Belly Dance Nationals
    Linthicum, MD

  • 1st Runner Up National Champion

    2009 Belly Dance Nationals
    Linthicum, MD

  • 1st Runner Up Grand Champion

    2006 The East Coast Belly Dance Classic Dance Competition Virginia Beach, VA

  • 1st Runner Up Ensemble of the Year

    2003 Wiggles of the West Reno, NV
    (with troupe Shazadi)

Publications

Learning the Language of Belly Dance
Guilded Serpent 9-28-07 Solo Performance Work
Read Article

Commercial Video, TV and Film

Guest Soloist in special event shows by invitation:

  • 2011 Passionate for Pink
    Westminster, MD
  • 2011 Belly Dancing for Haiti
    Newark, Delaware
  • 2011 Global Women’s Celebration
    National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD
  • 2010 Belly Dance Magic
    BellyPalooza Baltimore, MD
  • 2010 Read My Hips
    Egyptian Sun’s Annual Recital Baltimore, MD
  • 2010 Global Women’s Celebration
    National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD
  • 2010 DJ Kimo Presents A Night of Sensational Belly Dance
    Alexandria, VA
  • 2009 East Coast Belly Dance Project
    New York, NY
  • 2009 Fest Africa
    Baltimore, MD
  • 2009 Best Ever Belly Dance Show
    Alexandria, VA
  • 2009 Beatbox Guitar
    Washington, DC
  • 2009 Johns Hopkins University International Night
    Baltimore, MD
  • 2009Belladonna’s Femme Fatale Show
    Washington, DC
  • 2008Romka’s Belly Horror Show
    Washington, DC
  • 2008All Seasons Hafla
    headlining with Ishtar, Towson, MD
  • 2008A Night of Belly Dance
    headlining (with Lucy), Asheville, NC
  • 2008USUMED Spring Hafla
    headlining, Logan, UT
  • 2008Souhail Kaspar & Rachid Halihal Show
    Arlington, VA
  • 2008Northern Virginia Community College International Day
    Sterling, VA
  • 2008Yucy El-Banan’s Arabian Nights
    Clinton, MD
  • 2007Yucy El-Banan’s Arabian Nights
    headlining, Alexandria, VA
  • 2007Gypsy Fusion Hafla
    Annapolis, MD
  • 2007Romka Belly Horror Show
    Washington, DC
  • 2007Tribal Pura
    Washington, DC
  • 2006Folk Tours Music and Dance Camp
    Green Lane, PA
  • 2006Johns Hopkins School of Public Health – Faces of Africa: An Evening of African Cultures
    Baltimore, MD
  • 2006Bonnie Brae Elementary’s International Night Celebration
    Fairfax, VA
  • 2006Disco El Sharq – Suha Welcome Party
    Washington DC
  • 2006Five Seasons Hafla
    headlining, Baltimore, MD
  • 2006Marymount University’s 10th Annual Semiformal International Banquet
    Arlington, VA
  • 2005Yucy El-Banan’s Arabian Nights
    headlining, Clinton, MD
  • 2005Arab Dance Seminar
    New Haven, CT
  • 2005Disco el Sharq: The official Suhaila Salimpour Pre-show Party
    headlining, Washington, DC
  • 2005Belly Dance @ the Casablanca
    Alexandria, VA
  • 2005Dance from the Heart – Benefit for Tsunami Victims
    Washington, DC
  • 2005Katayoun’s Persian New Years Celebration
    Sterling, VA
  • 2005Dance from the Heart 2- Benefit for Tsunami Victims
    Falls Church, VA
  • 2005Special Show @ Kan Zaman
    Fairfax, VA
  • 2005Raks & Glitter
    Baltimore, MD
  • 2004Eat, Dance and be Merry at Pars
    Fairfax,Virginia
  • 2004Katayoun’s Open House
    Sterling, VA

Guest Soloist in seminar shows by invitation:

  • 2011 Virginia Beach Shimmy Hafla
    Shems
    Virginia Beach, Virginia, DC
  • 2010 Sahara Dance Salon – Egyptian Elegance
    Amar Gamal
    Baltimore, Washington, DC
  • 2010 Saffron Soloists Show
    Mohamed Shahin & Mohamed El Hosseny Alexandria, VA
  • 2010Samiha Presents Diana Tarkan
    New York, NY
  • 2010Little Egypt’s Randa Kamel Workshop Friday Show
    Dulles,VA
  • 2008Gypsy Fusion Hafla -Dalia Carella
    Arnold, MD
  • 2008Elegant Isolations – Mira Betz
    Washington, DC
  • 2008USUMED’s Spring Hafla – Headlining
    Logan, Utah
  • 2007Lotus Niraja’s Shimmilicious – Midnight Mirage
    Baltimore, MD
  • 2005Shazadi Soiree – Ansuya
    Logan, Utah
  • 2005Middle Eastern Dance Spectacular – Hadia
    Portland, Oregon
  • 2004Shazadi Soiree – Ansuya
    Logan, Utah
  • 2004Sonia & Shahravar Seminar Show
    Logan, Utah
  • 2003Johanna Seminar Show
    Logan, Utah
  • 2003Shazadi Soiree – Sohaila
    Logan, Utah
  • 2003Amaya Seminar Show
    Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 2003Mirage in Winter – Jamilla Al Wahid
    Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 2002Shazadi Soiree – Margo
    Logan, Utah
  • 2002Jillina Seminar Show
    Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 2002Rock the Casbah – Brothers of Baladi
    Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 2002Hadia Seminar Show
    Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 2001Middle East & International Dance Gala
    Salt Lake City, Utah

Regular or Semi-Regular Restaurant Engagements:

  • Meli with Barakaat – 2010
    Baltimore, MD
  • Cazbar – 2007 – 2009
    Baltimore, MD
  • Fairouz Cafe – 2006 – 2007
    Falls Church, VA
  • Marrakesh – 2005 – 2006
    Washington, DC
  • Piano Grill – 2006
    Fairfax, VA
  • Karma – 2005 – 2006
    Washington, DC
  • Mediterranean Grill – 2005
    Gaithersburg, MD
  • Taste of Morocco –2005
    Silver Spring, MD
  • Pars –2005
    Fairfax, VA
  • House of Kabob and Pita – 2003
    Salt Lake City, UT
  • The Athenian – 2003
    Ogden, UT
  • Cedars of Lebanon – 1998 – 2000
    Salt Lake City, UT

Large Events I’ve Produced

  • 2010 Ya Omri!
    Baltimore Museum of Art Auditorium – Baltimore, MD
  • 2009 Ya Salaam!
    Baltimore Museum of Art Auditorium -Baltimore, MD
  • 2009 Ya Habibi!
    Lebanese Taverna – Baltimore, MD
  • 2009 ReOrient – Perceptions of Middle Eastern Art w/ Ariel and Nina
    Creative Alliance – Baltimore, MD

Other Solo Performance Experience:

Utah, Maryland, DC & Virginia – Numerous Belly Grams, Corporate Parties, Private Parties, Community Festivals, Dance Haflas, Charity Events, Educational Presentations, Weddings, Showers, and Art Show Openings.

Musicians I’ve had the pleasure to perform with:

  • Chantal Chamandy – singer
    (coordinated her Baladi dancers for DC) Washington, DC
  • Karim Nagi – Turbo Tabla – Percussion
    Mendocino, CA & New Haven, CT & Green Lane, PA
  • Beatbox Guitar
    Baltimore, MD & Washington DC
  • Maurice Chedid – Oud & Vocals
    New York, NY
  • Nabawy – Accordion
    New York, NY
  • Salah Rhany – Violin
    New York, NY
  • Gamal Shafik – Tabla
    New York, NY
  • Ahmed Aamer – Daf
    New York, NY
  • Ishtar – the Belly Rock band
    Towson, MD
  • Pat Olsen of Pangia – Oud
    Somerset, NJ
  • Denise of Pangia – Keyboard
    Somerset, NJ
  • Brad Mack – Tabla
    Somerset, NJ
  • Sami Abu Shumays – Violin
    Green Lane, PA
  • Scott Wilson – Oud
    Green Lane, PA
  • Melissa Murphy – Clarinet
    Silver Spring, MD
  • Carmine T. Guida – Oud, Multi-instrumentalist, Tabla
    Silver Spring & Baltimore, MD & Somerset, NJ
  • Dale Langdon – Tabla
    Silver Spring, MD
  • Bruno – Violin
    Silver Spring, MD
  • David – Riq, Tabla
    Silver Spring, MD
  • Andrea Vercoe – Violin
    Silver Spring, MD
  • Rachid Halihal – Violin, Oud
    Silver Spring, MD
  • Bryan Bale – Tabla
    Salt Lake City, UT
  • Hamit Golbasi – Ney
    Green Lane, PA
  • Seido Salifoski – Percussion
    Green Lane, PA
  • Avram Pengas – Guitar, Bouzouki
    Green Lane, PA
  • Umut Yasmut – Kanun
    Green Lane, PA
  • Boujemaa Razgui – Ney, Multi-instrumentalist
    New Haven, CT
  • Showkat Sayyed – Oud, Vocalist
    Washington, DC
  • Adel Ibrahim Oud
    Baltimore, MD
  • Jonathan Fell Tabla
    Baltimore, MD
  • Allen Brizee Tabla
    Baltimore, MD
  • Kylie Hilali Kanun
    Baltimore, MD & Greenbelt, MD
  • Ken Wright Oud
    Greenbelt, MD
  • Walid – Percussion
    Washington, DC
  • Ibrahim – Percussion
    Washington, DC
  • Brad Sidwell – Tabla, Riq
    Silver Spring, MD & Baltimore, MD
  • Mohamed Amir – Keyboard, Vocalist
    Washington, DC & Silver Spring, MD
  • Hisham – Keyboard, Vocalist
    Washington, DC
  • Mohsin – Percussion
    Washington, DC & Alexandria, VA & Baltimore, MD
  • Faysal Hammadi – Percussion
    Washington, DC & Baltimore, MD
  • Munir Alasheg – Vocalist, Oud
    Baltimore, MD & Alexandria, VA
  • Abdel Rahim Amthqal – Ney
    Baltimore, MD
  • Kamal aka DJ Kimo – Violin, Keyboard
    Washington, DC & Alexandria, VA & Baltimore, MD
  • Ahmed – Violin
    Washington, DC
  • Souhail Kaspar – Percussion
    Mendocino, CA & Silver Spring, MD
  • Georges Lammam – Violin, Vocalist
    Mendocino, CA
  • Naser Musa – Oud, Vocalist
    Mendocino, CA
  • Faisal Zedan – Percussian
    Mendocino, CA
  • Miles – Bass
    Mendocino, CA
  • Omar Faruk Tekbilek – Ney
    Mendocino, CA
  • Haig Manoukian – Oud
    Mendocino, CA & Green Lane, PA
  • Salah Takesh – Percussion
    Mendocino, CA
  • Halil – Kanoun
    Mendocino, CA
  • Souren Baronian – Clarinet, Percussion
    Mendocino, CA & Green Lane, PA
  • Raj & Tarek – Keyboard & Percussion
    Salt Lake City, UT
  • Desert Wind – Full Band
    Salt Lake City, UT
  • Brothers of Baladi – Full Band
    Salt Lake City, UT
  • Nathanial Stottlemyer – Percussion,
    Baltimore, MD
  • Ameer – Oud
    Baltimore, MD
  • Saadeddine Zaghbani – Tabl Baladi
    Baltimore, MD
  • Daveed Korup – Percussion
    Baltimore, MD
  • Tutu – Mizmar & Ney
    VA
  • Denis Gagnon Percussion
    Baltimore, MD
  • Godfree Percussion
    Baltimore, MD
  • Annie Hamel Recorder & Flute
    Baltimore, MD
  • Mark Percussion
    Greenbelt, MD

Troupe Work

Troupe Barakaat – Baltimore MD
Troupe Director, Principal Dancer and Choreographer
Troupe Members: Shems, Ghadir, Isabel, Mariza, Ouranitsa, Tydirah
Former Members: Aisha

Formed in 2010, a diverse cast of talented performers, who each contribute to the work of the group. Already invited to several area performances, including a performance at the Smithsonian in Washington DC where members of Barakaat performed with Karim Nagi of Turbo Tabla.

Troupe Shazadi – Logan, UT
Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance club (USUMED) 2002-2004
Principal Dancer and Choreographer
Troupe Members: Shems, Sumra, Sadeema, Najma, Sevda, RaSahra

Recognized locally for excellence, invited to dance at several seminar shows and performed for corporate parties, community festivals, charity and educational events. Actively produced Seminars, Seminar shows and dance nights. Won 2nd place in the Ensemble of the Year category at Wiggles of the West Competition in Reno, NV.

Our repertoire included Arabic Pop, drum solos, drum solo w/ sagat, Egyptian Oriental, Veil, Sagat, Khaliji, Hagallah, Ghawazee, American Belly Dance and floor work.

Zarandeo Dance Co – Salt Lake City, UT
2000 – 2002 Principal Dancer, Gypsy Fusion Troupe
Troupe Members: Shems, Alexandria, Alyssa, Kimaya, Carmen

Performed at large Salt Lake Events such as Pride Day and the Salt Lake Music Festival as well as many other community and charitable events. Sponsored regular dance nights for the community.

Our repertoire included Middle Eastern Dance, Sword, Drum Solo, Sagat & Live Drum choreographies, West African Dance, Spanish, Celtic and Fantasy numbers.

Ethnica Dance Ensemble – Salt Lake City, UT
2001 Principal Dancer
Troupe Members: Shems, Johanna, Tammy, Kati, Sandra, Elanor

Latin Ensemble under the direction of Johanna. Our repertoire included “Gypsy” fan dance, Gypsy Fusion (with Oriental) dance, Mambo and Salsa.

Teaching Experience

Regular Ongoing Classes – Baltimore, MD
Maryland Athletic Center, 2008 – 2011
Weekly ongoing belly dance classes for beginner to advanced levels.

Continuing Education – Baltimore, MD
Community College of Baltimore County – 2008
Taught weekly intro level belly dance course for one 6 week session.

Eubie Blake Jazz Center Studios – Baltimore, MD
Independently Run Weekly Oriental Dance Classes – 2006-2007
Studio Nina Amaya
Taught weekly belly dance classes – beginning to advanced level technique and choreography

BodyTalk – Baltimore, MD
2006
Monthly belly dance fitness class.

Utah State University – Logan, UT
USUMED 2002-2004
Taught weekly classes & special topic classes as well as technique and choreography for the club’s performing troupes.

Ethnica School of Dance – Salt Lake City, UT
2001
Taught weekly classes – technique and choreography

Salt Lake Community College – Salt Lake City, Utah
Raqs Sharqi Club 2000-2001

Taught weekly classes – technique and choreography

Private Lessons
Taught various private students from 2001-Present

Local and National Workshops

  • The Science of Sword sponsored by Virginia Beach Shimmy
    2011, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Breathtaking Veil sponsored by Virginia Beach Shimmy
    2011, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Technical Repurcussions at Alter-Ego sponsored by Lyra and Susan
    2011, Baltimore, MD
  • The Effortless Transition sponsored by Women of Selket
    2011, Richmond, VA
  • Groovin’ Gulf Style Khaliji sponsored by Women of Selket
    2011, Richmond, VA
  • The Art of Improvisation – BellyPalooza
    Aug 2010, Baltimore, MD
  • The Science of Sword – BellyPalooza
    Aug 2010, Baltimore, MD
  • Dance Baltimore March 2010, Baltimore, MD
  • Oriental Workshop – sponsored by Lisa Zahiya
    May 2008, Asheville, NC
  • Oriental Workshop – sponsored by USUMED
    April 2008, Logan, UT
  • Assaya Workshop – sponsored by USUMED
    April 2008, Logan, UT
  • Drum Solo Workshop – sponsored by Tiraz
    March 2008, Purcellville, VA
  • Arabian Dream Workshop – sponsored by Gretchen
    Feb 2006 Baltimore, MD
  • Drum Solo Workshop – sponsored by Yucy
    April 2006, Clinton, MD
  • Belly Dance Workshop for Youth Dancers – sponsored by Mid Maryland Performing Arts Center
    2005, Frederick, MD

Leadership Experience

President 2003 – 2004
Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance Club (USUMED) Logan, UT
Handled promotion and advertising, organizational and administrative duties, helped produce four very successful shows.

President 2000 – 2001
Raqs Sharqi Club Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT
Founded the organization, handled promotion and advertising, organizational and administrative duties.

Dance Education

Middle Eastern Dance Instruction – Ongoing Weekly Classes:
  • Artemis Mourat: 2004-2006
  • Laurel Victoria Grey: Fall 2005(cane performance class)
  • USUMED: (Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance Club) Instructors: Sumra, Najma, RaSahra, Sadeema 2002-2004
  • Andromeda: 2001-2002 Private Instruction
  • Alexandria: 2001-2002 Troupe Instruction
  • Tamar: 2001-2002
  • Aziz: 1998,1999-2001
  • Linda Linda: 1998
  • Sulisha: 1998
  • Johanna: 1997 & 2001
  • Zahirah: 1997
  • Kismet School of Dance: Instructors: Yasamina, Sonia, Kimaya, Jason 1996-1998
Middle Eastern Dance Instruction – Workshops:
  • Naimah: Flossy Flossy – 2011
  • Lotus Niraja: Drum Solo – 2011
  • Lotus Niraja: Egyptian & Lebanese Combinations – 2011
  • Piper: Beautiful Body Motion – 2011
  • Piper: Floor work – 2011
  • Belladonna: Double Sword & Body Balancing – 2011
  • Belladonna: Sword Stylization – 2011
  • Faten Salama: Mini Masriya – 2011
  • Karim Nagi: Um Kulsoum – 2011
  • Karim Nagi: Drum Solo – 2011
  • Amar Gamal: Assaya – 2010
  • Lisa Zahiya: BellyFunk – 2010
  • Claudia of Soulfire: Passionate Dancing – 2010
  • Lotus Niraja: Ultimate Technique – 2010
  • Melina: Coming Down to Earth – 2010
  • Latifa: Khaliji Spice – 2010
  • Rhea: Anchient Greek to Modern Ciftitelli – 2010
  • Mohamed Shahin: Saidi Assaya 2010
  • Mohamed El Hosenny: Um Koulthoum 2010
  • Lucy (of DC): Dancing to Um Koulthoum 2010
  • Randa Kamel: Oriental Choreography, Saidi & Pop Choreography 2010
  • Mariyah: Expressive Veil 2009
  • Aszmara: Dynamic Staging, Fan Dance Master Class 2009
  • Kassar: Tribal Combos 2009
  • Diana Tarkan: Oriental Choreography, Technique 2009
  • Aszmara: Dynamic Staging, Emotion in Motion: the Veil, 7/8 and 9/8 Rhythms 2008
  • Dalia Carella: Dunyavi Gypsy & Turkish Rom, Contemporary Oriental 2008
  • Randa Kamel: Master Class 2008
  • Dandash: Master Class 2008
  • Randa Kamel: Choreography 2008
  • Dr. Mo Geddawi Baladi 2008
  • Dandash: Saidi 2008
  • Dina: Oriental 2008
  • Dandash: Eskandarani 2008
  • Artemis: Turkish Oriental 2008
  • Fahtiem: Advance Drum Solo Choreography 2008
  • Artemis: Turkish Rrom 2008
  • Karim Nagi: Saidi Tahtib/ Assaya 2008
  • Ibrahim Tunc: Turkish Folkloric Dances 2008
  • Tayyar: Turkish Folkloric Spoon Dance, Turkish Rrom 2008
  • Souhail Kaspar: Rhythm and Movement 2008
  • Orit Maftsir: Personal Style/Pop, Humor and Mimics, Modern Egyptian, Folklore, Baladi, Raqs Sharqi 2008
  • Karim Nagi: Saidi Tahtib/Assaya, Arabic Music and Culture Lecture 2007
  • Tito: Oriental Choreography, Pop Choreography, Shaabi Choreography, Warda Choreography 2007
  • Aida Nour: Oriental Choreography, Meleya Choreography 2007
  • Mohammed Khazafy: Drum Solo Choreography, Meleya Choreography, Pop Choreography 2007
  • Lubna Eman: Baladi Choreography, Technique 2007
  • Dahlena: Hafiz Choreography, Saidi Technique 2007
  • Souhail Kaspar: Dancer/Drummer communication Drum Solo 2007
  • Karim Nagi: Saidi Assaya & Debke 2007
  • Ibrahim Tunc: Turkish Folk Dance 2007
  • Tayyar Akdeniz: Romany & Turkish Folk 2007
  • Sahra: Dancing from the Inside Out 2007
  • Reyhan Tuzsuz: Turkish Romany 2007
  • Rena Milgrom: Rajasthani Snake Charmer’s Dance 2007
  • Steve & Susan Kotansky: Romanian & Transylvanian Romany 2007
  • Rena Milgrom: Hungarian & Russian Romany dances 2007
  • Steve & Susan Kotansky: Macedonian & Bulgarian Romany 2007
  • Reyhan Tuzsuz: Turkish Romany 2007
  • Asharah: Tribal Fusion 2007
  • Talia: Oriental Technique 2007
  • Yousry Sharif: Oriental Dance 2006
  • Zaza Hassan: Egyptian Oriental Dance, Saidi 2006
  • Faten Salama: How to Dance to Live Music 2006
  • Sahra: Egyptian Oriental Dance 2006
  • Mohamed Shahin: Reda Style Egyptian Oriental, Saidi 2006
  • Artemis: Turkish Romany 2006
  • Karim Nagi: Palestinian Debka 2006
  • Ibrahim Tunc: Turkish Folk Dance 2006
  • Suha Azar: Lebanese Oriental Dance, Lebanese Tabla Solo, Lebanese Assaya (Cane Dancing) 2006
  • Mark Balahadia: Lebanese Assaya (Cane Dancing) 2006
  • Hadia: Oriental Choreography, Turkish Rom 2006
  • Ansuya: Indian Fusion, Improvisation 2005
  • Karim Nagi: Palestinian Debka 2005
  • Amel Tafsout: Bedouin (Arab tribal), Berber (North African tribal), Oulad Nail (Algerian courtesan) 2005
  • Kay Hardy Campbell: Khaliji (Arabian Gulf) 2005
  • Amel, Nourhan & Karim: Zaar / Hadara (healing ritual) 2005
  • Nourhan Sharif: Raqs Sharqi (a.k.a. Belly Dance), Fallahi (Egyptian folk dance), Assaya 2005
  • Latifa: Meleya Leff 2005
  • Ahmet Luleci: Turkish Folk Dancing 2004
  • Amelia Moore: Beginner belly dance 2004
  • Souhail Kaspar Rhythm and Movement, 2 sections 2004
  • Ansuya: Pop Choreography, Lavish Layers, Meaningful Improvisation 2004
  • Samara: Dramatic Choreography to Warda 2004
  • Faten Salama: Felahin 2004
  • Sohaila: Egyptian Technique, Drum Solo, Khaliji 2003
  • Faten Salama: Dancing to Live Music w/ Sagat & Assaya 2003
  • Jamila Al Wahid: Combinations for Live Music 2003
  • Suzy Tekbilek: Turkish Chiftitelli 2003
  • Shareen El Safy: Egyptian Technique 2003
  • Helene Ericksen: Khaliji 2003
  • Amaya: Spanish Fusion Choreography, Musical Interpretation 2003
  • Fahtiem: Arms, Performance Dynamics 2002
  • Margo: Egyptian Technique, Veil Choreography 2002
  • Zahra Zuhair: Technique, Combinations 2002
  • Viktoriya: Middle Eastern Dance Style Sampler 2002
  • Shahravar: Sword Technique 2002
  • Sonia: Saidi & Assaya 2002
  • Zahirah: Stage Dynamics 2001
  • Tamar: Hagallah 2001
  • Thia: Floorwork, Combinations and Finger Cymbals 2001
  • Johanna: Latin Gypsy Fusion, Drum Solo with Zills 2001
  • Jamileh & Calypso: Entrance Combos, Presentation, Shimmies, Dynamic Combinations 2001
  • Jillina: Pop Choreography, Entrance Combos, Drum Solo 2001
  • Hadia: Pop Choreography, Body Alignment, Egyptian Technique, Musical Interp, Rhythms, Musical Interpretation 2000
  • Aziza (Calgary): Dynamic Combinations, Veil, Drum Solo, Veil, Performance Polish 2000
  • Karen Barbee: Isolations, Dance Combination, Drum Solo Choreography 1999
  • Carolena Nericcio: American Tribal Style 1998
  • Sahra: Hagallah, Zeffa, Shemedan 1998
  • Sahra Nubian, Saidi 1997
  • Faten Ali Munger: Egyptian Drum Solo, Flamenco Fusion 1997
  • Ginny Northridge: building blocks of dance 1996
Middle Eastern Dance Instruction – Individual Classes:
  • Reyhan Tuzsuz (2 Semi-Private Lessons): Turkish Roman 2009
  • Delpha Reihs (Private Lesson): Turkish Roman 2009
  • Ahmet Ögren (Private Lesson): Turkish Oriental 2009
  • Sema Yildiz (Private Lesson): Turkish Oriental and Roman 2009
  • Dalia Carella: Intermediate Belly Dance 2009
  • Mariyah: Beginning Belly Dance 2009
  • Latifa (Private Lessons): Egyptian Oriental 2008
  • Atef Hassan: Egyptian Pop Choreography 2007
  • Jamileh (Private Lesson): Transitions & Combinations 2005
  • Yasmin: accenting with hips and hands 2003
  • Ansuya: Pop Choreography 2003
  • Amel Tafsout: North African Dance 2003
  • Tina Sergent (Private Lesson): Arabic Choreography 1997
  • Sedonia Sipes: Egyptian accents 2002
  • Morocco: Egyptian Pop Choreography 2003
  • Joe Kaloyanides Graziosi: Armenian Folk Dance 2003
  • L’Emir Hassan Harfouche: Lebanese Dabke 2003
  • Viktoriya: (Private Lessons) Egyptian Technique 2002
  • Raffa: Modern Egyptian Choreography 2002
Middle Eastern Dance Instruction: Video Studies:

Video studies of many Oriental Dance Greats: my greatest influences include Nadia Jamal, Naima Akef, Nadia Hamdi, Aza Sharif, Fifi Abdo, Sohair Zaki, Amani, Mona al-Said, Randa Kamal, Dina, Tito, Dandash, Samia Gamal, Tahia Carioka, Najwa Fouad, Sahra, Aziza, Jillina, Ansuya and Hadia.

Related Musical Training:
  • 2009DJ Amar: Mastering your Mix
  • 2008Sauren Baronian: Sagat
  • 2008Sami Abu Shumays: Maqam and Arabic Singing
  • 2005Seido Salifoski: Intermediate Dumbek 2005
  • 2005Karim Nagi: Iqaat (Rhythms), Maqam (Music Theory), Sagat (“Zill” finger cymbals), Arab Music for Dance
  • 2004Souhail Kaspar: Basic Dumbek Workshop
  • 2003Karim Nagi: 2 Sagat Workshops
  • 2000Angus: Private Dumbek Instruction

Additional Related Instruction:

Robin Miller 2010-2011
Aerial Dance

Michelle Joyce 2010
“I Can Belly Dance, Now What?”

Peabody Institute 2009
Contemporary Dance

University of Utah 1999-2000
Beginning Modern
Intermediate Modern
Modern Technique
Improvisation
Ballet Dance
Survey Folk Forms
Body Conditioning for Dance
Arabic I

Salt Lake Community College 2000-2001
Modern I
Modern II
Jazz
Yoga

Middle East Institute 2004
Beginning Arabic

Memberships

Dance Baltimore
MMEPA: Maryland Middle Eastern Performing Arts
WAMEDA: Washington Area Middle Eastern Dance Association
Tiraz Dance Network