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Studied
Ballet since early childhood (15 years), Jazz dance for 6 years, Modern
dance for 5 years, and Tap for 3 years. Studied at numerous dance
studios and Humboldt State University, as well as in many workshops.
In addition, have begun to study Flamenco, Mexican Folklorico, Latin
Dance, Swing, and a variety of Folk Dance styles including Lebanese
Debke, Turkish, Hungarian, Romanian, Armenian, and Greek.
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Since
1992, my principle area of dance study has been Middle Eastern Dance.
I have studied with over fifty workshop instructors in a wide variety
of topics. Two major influences and inspirations are Dalia Carella
and Elena Lentini. I continue to study and explore Middle Eastern
Dance at every opportunity, traveling whenever possible to study with
the finest teachers.
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Completed
two weeek intensive summer programs in Martha Graham based Techique
Modern Dance in 2002 and 2003.
PERFORMANCE
I am very interested in the thoughtful fusion of diverse styles of dance,
and the power of dance as a vehicle of expression and personal interpretation
of music for an audience. Currently my interests lie in a strong foundation
in Arabic dance (focusing on the “classical” styles of the
earlier part of this century) with a fusion of Spanish influences and
Lyrical Modern dance inspired by my former dance training. My specialties
are working with four-yard veils, fans and skirts, although I have also
studied and perform with zils, swords, and canes. I am a dedicated improvisational
dancer who values any opportunity to perform to live music.
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Shoshanna
and Lailaa Chandani Dance Ensemble invited to be featured performers
in the Morris Graves Museum of Art Saturday Performing Arts Series
in Eureka, California, in January 2003.
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Invited
guest performer at Fahtiem's Dance Oasis Magic performance in June
of 2001 in Los Angeles, California.
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Invited
guest performer at the Fourth Annual IAMED Awards Show in Los Angeles,
CA. Available on videocassette (www.bellydance.org).
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Have
performed numerous times at Rakkasah Festival (Richmond, CA), Mediterranean
Dance Festival (Seattle, WA), Fatima’s Birthday Bash (Sacramento,
CA), Cairo Carnivale (Los Angeles, CA), Middle Eastern Music &
Dance Camp (Mendocino, CA), Shimmy By The Sea (Corpus Christi, TX),
Wiggles of the West Competition (Reno, NV), Festival Fantasia (Sebastopol,
CA), Festival on the Nile (Orlando, FL) Oasis Dance Magic (Los Angeles,
CA), Little Egypt's seminar with Aida Noor & Magdy El Leisey (Dallas,
TX) and at many other events.
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Artistic
Director of the Lailaa Chandani Dance Ensemble since 1998. Lailaa
Chandani is a dance troupe based at Humboldt State University, which
explores many styles of Middle Eastern Dance and has performed throughout
Northern California. An emphasis for my troupe is to have a wonderful
group of technically superior dancers willing to learn from many teachers
and about many styles who can dance as a cohesive whole as well as
develop their own skills as a soloist and pursue their own interests.
I work to cultivate an atmosphere of openness, flexibility, and enthusiasm
that comes across in class and on the stage.
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1st
Place, Northern Valley Bellydance Competition, 1996
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Entertainer
of the Year, 1st annual Wiggles of the West, 1997
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2nd Runner Up, Bellydancer of the Universe Competition, 1997
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2004
Belly Dancer of the Year, Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant, 2004
INSTRUCTION
As a performer, I dance to express the joy of dancing and the emotional
quality of the music. As an instructor, I work to balance my students’
artistic and personal interpretation of the music with excellent technical
skills, a cultural understanding of the dance form, and to plant the seeds
of what I hope will become a passion for this dance form. This philosophy
holds true for any class I teach -- a small group of new beginners or
a workshop of experienced intermediate to advanced level dancers.
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1993-1998:
Instructor at Dance Expressions, McKinleyville, CA
Taught Middle Eastern Dance (began program in 1996), Jazz, Ballet,
Modern, and Creative Movement for 3-4 year olds. Also began a popular
class for children that explored age-appropriate moves, such as skirt,
veil, and zil work. Reason for leaving: studio closed.
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1996-Present
Instructor at Studio of Dance Arts, Eureka, CA
Instruct Middle Eastern Dance at beginning-intemediate level for teenage
dancers. (Instructed class from 1996-1997 and April 2001 to present)
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1998-Present: Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Film, & Dance,
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Instructor of a 2 unit Middle Eastern Dance course for the past six
semesters (Spring ‘04 will be the 14th and final semester!).
Class size is usually about 40-50 dancers, mostly at a beginning level,
with some repeating the course several times (because they like it).
Class meets once a week and for four Saturday workshops to explore
Taksim, Veil & Improvisation, Rhythms & Zil Work, Gypsy (Rom)
Discussion & Dance Technique, and Discussion on Dance & Culture.
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1996-Present: Founder, President, and now Advisor of the HSU Middle
Eastern Dance Club
Our mission is to assist students in the study and performance of
Middle Eastern Dance. For the club, I hold free, drop-in weekly classes
and produce usually one workshop event per semester, featuring an
invited workshop instructor from out of the area.
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTION
Have instructed
workshops in California, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Washington,
and Florida
Topics have included
Skirt Technique and Combinations
Spicy Skirt Work and Dynamic Combinations
Original Choreography
Veil and Taksim Combinations
Four-Yard Veil Technique & Combinations
Beginning Techniques
Advanced Techniques
Skirt and Fan Techniques
Drum Solo Choreography
Improvisation
Dynamic Combinations (with or without zils)
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