Performance experience: 13 years of experience performing in restaurants, night clubs, private
functions (including weddings, birthdays, and other special events;) ethnic and community festivals and literary events.
Dance studies: I have studied with Zbeide (Helen Perry); Mahira (Margaret Slocombe;) Gypsy
Phillips, and Katia of Boston.
I have also taken courses and workshops with Phaedra of Boston, Za-Beth of Boston, Sardis of Boston, Suzanna
Del Vecchio, Mesmera, Dahlena, Jehan Kamal, Elena Lentini, Nourhan Sharif, Mesmera, Su'ad, Mahmoud Reda (at his Cairo studio;)
Raqia Hassan (in U.S. and at her Cairo studio.)
Flamenco -- Omayra Amaya
Turkish and Roma (Gypsy) -- Dalia Carella, Eva Cernik, Sardis of Boston, Rhea of Athens
Persian -- Medea Mahdahvi
Arabic language: Two years of study with Saleh Dahany, professor of Arabic, Middlesex Community
College, Lowell, Mass.
Islamic studies: Understanding Islam, Mass. Foundation for the Humanities; Understanding
the Modern Middle East, Mass. Foundation for the Humanities; as a journalist I have done extensive coverage of the area's
Middle Eastern and Islamic community.
Travel experience: I have traveled twice to Egypt, including a two-week visit with Katia
of Boston in 2006 and a four-week visit in 2007 with the Rotary International's Group Study Exchange.
Dance Journalism: I have been a staff writer for Jareeda magazine since 1997 and associate
editor of Middle Eastern Dance in New England since 2003.
Modeling experience: Katia of Boston's 2003 video and fashion show, 'Visions of the East,'
with Middle East and North African garments; Oriental dance model at Montserrat College, Beverly, Mass; University of
Massachusetts at Lowell Continuing Education, and Whistler House Museum of Art, Lowell, Mass.
Dance organization memberships: Zbeide's Harem; Bellydance Worcester; Northeast Bellydance
Association; staff member, Katia of Boston Dance Retreat, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Events producer: Dance of the Beloved (with Lawrence Carradini,) Brides of Frankenstein,
Ghouls' Night Out, Bela Lugosi's Birthday Bash, Zbeide's Harem Showcase at the Lowell Folk Festival and Lowell Family First
Night.
