Eager to share the many facets and benefits of traditional and modern fusion dance using a unique combination of interdisciplinary approaches coupled with over twenty years’ training and performing experience.
Sixteen years training/performing with Amira, of Wichita, Kansas covering a wide range of styles and cultures
Experienced in many forms of martial arts and aerobics.
Dedicated to enthusiastic and dynamic teaching as a means of creating and nurturing a lifelong love of dance in people of all ages.
1988-2004: Training/performing with Amira, of Wichita, KS. Dance styles covered include:
Polynesian
Maori haka (posturing dance)
Maori mele (sacred chants)
Maori short single poi
Maori long single poi
Maori double long poi
Samoan mele (sacred chants)
Samoan modern dance
Samoan fire knife dancing
Tahitian
mele (sacred chants)
ote’a (rapid dancing with no story)
aparima (story dance)
Hawaiian
hula ‘ala ‘apapa (ancient drama hula)
hula ‘auana (modern day hula)
hula hapa haole (Western hula)
hula holoholona (hula in imitation of animals)
hula kuhi lima (hula done only with the hands)
hula mea pa’ahana (hula using implements)
hula kahiko (ancient, ceremonial or prayerful hula) with and without mele (sacred chanting)
Gypsy
Russian
Czech
Northern and Southern Rom
Spanish
Portuguese
North African
Italian
Basic Mediterranean
Gypsy Fusion
Middle Eastern
Lebanese
Turkish
Egyptian
Moroccan
Tunisian
Saudi
Nubian
Libyan/North African
folk and modern forms
many fusion styles including zahmbra
1994-1999: Private study in Bharatanatyam
2000-2003: Private study in African and West African dance
2002-Present: Intermittent private study in American Tribal Style
2003-2004: Private study with Leia (from FoxFyre Spinning), a Polynesian dancer
2003-2005: Private study with FoxFyre Spinning (professional fire entertainers)
2001-Present: 15 workshops/seminars on American Tribal Style, and Tribal Fusion dance forms
2000-2005 : Workshop- Hula Apuana – attendance annually
2001-Present: Attendance at “Circles of Fire,” a two day fire spinning workshop
2002-2004 : Workshop – Hula in Ceremony – attendance annually
2005: Workshop with Sharon Kihara (Tribal Indulgence)
2006: Workshop with inFusion
2006: Workshop with Kami Liddle
With Amira Dance Productions:
1987-2003: Kansas Newman College Renaissance Faire
1987-Present: Amira Dance Magic
1994-2000: Wichita River Festival Old Town Block Party
1997: Benefit for the American Cancer Society
1998: Midnight Magic on the Orient Express (Wichita Children's Home New Year's Eve benefit)
2000-Present: Great Plains Renaissance Faire
2003: World Festival
2004-2005: Monthly performances at N&J Restaurant in Wichita, KS
And countless other venues
1997-2005: Kansas City Renaissance Festival
2002-2004: A Taste of Newton
Workshops and lectures I have presented:
2002, 2003: Community in Tribal Dance - lecture
2002, 2003: Choreography in Organic Dance - workshop
2002: Dance Costuming - workshop
2002-Present: Dance Makeup for Tribal and Outdoor Wear - workshop
2002-Present: Dance Makeup for Stage and Film - workshop
2002-Present: Goddess Moving Meditation - workshop
2002-Present: Healing through Dance - lecture
2003: Tribal, Down and Dirty - workshop
2003: Tribal Inspirations - workshop
2003: Improvisation in Middle Eastern Dance Forms - workshop
2003: Improvisation in Non-traditional Dance - workshop
2004: Choreography in Group Folkloric Dance - workshop
Classes:
2000-2006: Beginning Middle Eastern Dance
2001-Present: Middle Eastern Influenced Fusion Dance
2002-Present: Belly Dance Workout
2003-Present: Fire Dancing, Poi, Staff, Fire Fans
2003-2005: Self Defense for Women
2004-Present: American Tribal Style
2004-2006: Beginning Hula and Polynesian Dance
2004-Present: Poi and Staff Spinning for Children
Theatre Experience:
Stage Crew Positions ranging from Set Construction to Stage Manager:
1995 "The Curious Savage"
1996 “The Marriage of Bette and Boo”
1996 “Chess”
1996 "Black Comedy"
1996 "Much Ado About Nothing"
1996 “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”
1997 "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown"
1997 “Anything Goes”
1997 “Taming the Shrew”
1998 "The Man Who Came to Dinner"
1998 "The Foreigner"
1998 “Joan of Arc”
1999 “Fiddler on the Roof”
Costuming:
Costumer on the following theatre productions:
1996 “In A Dark Wood”
1999 “An Evening with Shakespeare”
2002 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Costumer on the following dance productions:
2001 “Egypt-An Exploration in Dance”
2002 “Into the Within”
2003 “Goddess Dance”
1999-Present: Free lance professional seamstress in construction of wedding dresses, renaissance costumes, and belly dance costumes.
Worked directly with many types of customers through design, fitting, and execution of costume construction.
Worked in conjunction with other costumers and designers for larger orders.
Make-Up:
Make-up artist on the following theatre productions:
1998 “Joan of Arc”
1999 “Fiddler on the Roof”
1997 to Present - Countless Dance Productions
1999-Present: Free lance make-up artist for stage and film. South Central Kansas.
Working directly with all types of customers and applied cosmetics; trained customers in applications.
Working in conjunction with photographers on photo shoots for many print and video publications.
Member of the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association
Member of the Middle Eastern Dance Instructor's Association
Member of the International Dance Council - CID - Conseil International de la Danse