Female

22

www.soniabellydancer.com
www.myspace.com/soniabasbousa

I have a general passion for the Middle East: I'm absolutely obsessed with the history and politics, and I love the dancing. My love of bellydancing emerged seperate from the overall interest in the beginning, but has since merged into an over all obsession. I had a vague notion of what bellydancing was, you know . . . Shakira, dance of the Seven Veils, something about sultans and harems . . . and my interest was sparked when I saw a news clip (which many of us have seen - and participated in) about how bellydancing is a fun and alternative way to loose weight. I thought, that sounds cool, and I could loose weight! I thought it was kind of fun, and then two of my dear friends who are Persian - but very much into "Arabic dancing" or "raqs-haye-arabe" started telling me about not only the differences within bellydancing, but other Middle Eastern dances and obsession was born! After some beginner classes at a rec center I moved on to study with Maria Mazzaferro, who eventually helped me to become a proffessional dancer myself. I have received a lot of support from my main teachers Maria and Amina Salah. I have also taken workshops and private lessons with (and been very influenced by) Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Carolina Nerechio, Maria and Olivia of Zafira, Eva Cernik, Ariellah Aflalo, Rafiah, Ma'Shuqa, John Compton, Momo Kadous Urban Gypsy, Zoe Jakes, Rachid Halihal and Karim Nagi, and they have all contributed to my personal dancing and outlook on dancing.

I teach bellydance classes at the Arvada Center for the performing arts, although I will always consider myself a lifelong student. I continue to seek out new teachers and styles of Middle Eastern dance (I have also learned Persian styles and khaliji styles) as well as studying flamenco with Natalia of Embrujo Flamenco.

"In my career I've found that "thinking outside the box" works better if I know what's "inside the box.". In music (as in life) we need to understand our pertinent history...and moving on is so much easier once we know where we've been."
- Dave Grusin
Funny enough, I found this quote on a Starbucks cup. The author is a jazz musician, and I think this quote applies to the arts in general.

"GREAT minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people."