Female

Hi everyone,

I’d like to introduce myself to you. My name is Cyriana, (or Cyrianna incorrect spelling) and I am a career, professional Belly Dancer, as well as a Belly Dance Instructor & Choreographer, with over 25 years of experience in the classic art of "American Cabaret" style of Belly dance.

My passion, is, this dance that is strongly influenced by, Turkish, Armenian, classic Arabic, Greek, & Persian, styles of dance.
I have been a privileged to perform in some Calif.’s finest, restaurants, nightclubs, and venues. Including:
The Aegean Cafe Greek cuisine, Crete Island Greek cuisine, The Greek Dancer, Greek Paradise, Greek Town, Zorbas Greek cuisine, Continental Burger Armenian cuisine, House of Kebab Armenian cuisine, Sam's Mediterranean Kabob Room, Shalizar Persian Cuisine, Darvish Persian cuisine, Tosh's Turkish cuisine.
Anaheed's "Cabaret Beledy", Bedouin Bazaar, Cairo Carnival, "Dunia's" Desert Dance Festival,"Deborah's" Market at the Casbah, "Alexandra's" Glimpse of the Stars "Fahtiem's" annual Christmas show, **Rakkasah West Belly dance Festivals**, "Tonya's" show cases & "Jenna's" & "Zahra' Zuhair's" TaXim showcase.
I have entered and won 1st. runner up in a Belly Dance compitition as well as, won 1st. place at "Leea's "Belly dancer of the Year competition, in the duo category.

I've been teaching "Belly dance" in the "Inland Empire" area of -- *Southern Calif.* -- (Rancho Cucamonga & Alta Loma) for the last 15 years, after accumulating many years of experience performing. I've taken classes & workshops from many of the finest instructors in the field of Belly dance, including, but not limited to the "legendary" performers from the "60's & 70's". Dahlena, Feiruz Aram, Jenaeni Rathor (Ansuya's Mom) & Shareen el Safy, who have been my strongest influences from that era.
“I feel it is so important to teach authentic dance, with authentic music, as these legendary dancers and teachers have taught, by passing on their knowledge.”

The Central Valley of Calif. is where it all began, with a large concentration of Turkish, Armenians in the area, Turkish music played by the musicians from the area is what we used to dance to.
Arlene, of Visalia, Calif. was my first instructor, and, the most important, as well as, one of the best instructors I have had.
Her teachers were, Cory Zamora, and Ely Buffin, both of them are fabulous dancers and teachers from Fresno.
After relocating to Southern Calif., in the Alta Loma / Ranch Cucamonga area, I left my roots, and adjusted to a more eclectic variety of dances and styles… I attended classes with Shareen from Upland, who introduced us to John Bilezikjian (Oud player) and Rico Orrell, (Oud player and drummer) giving all of her students an opportunity to performer with " Live Music"...

I continued learning from wonderful people teaching workshops such as; Angelika Nemeth, Asia, Asmara, Dalia, Delilah, Dunia, Eva Cernik, Fahtiem, Halimeh, Horacio and his wife Beata, John Compton, Marie Silva, Marta Schill, MaShar, Morocco, Regine, Reza Farnoosh, Sahra, Sultana, Suzanna Del Vecchio,Tilana, Tamalyn Dalahal, Tonya, Zahra Zuhair, and many others that are appreciated for what they have taught.

I am married to Var Daghdevirian, a fabulous musician that plays "Middle Eastern" drums, (Dumbek) & sings authentic music used for "Belly dancing", as well as "Armenian" songs for the folk dances of the Armenian culture.
He can be heard playing and singing on 2 CD's that are used for "Cabaret" Belly dance. "TAPESTRY OF THE DANCE" Featuring:
John Bilezikjian, playing Oud, Var, playing dumbek and vocals, Ishmael playing Kanoon, Helen Bilezikjian, vocals & Cyriana, playing Zills, and "SIROCCO" featuring: Var Daghdevirian, playing dumbek, & all of the vocals, John Bilezikjian, playing Oud & Violin, & Eddy Bilezikjian on clarinet.-- (They are both must have music CD's to add to your "Belly Dance" music collection from the *Classic Era.* of "Cabaret Belly Dance".) The well known "ROMPI ROMPI" a Turkish 9/8 "Karshilama" song is on "SOROCCO", TAPESTRY of the DANCE" has many different favorites for "CABARET" style dance as well... "MANDUBALA", is a beautiful "Greek" song in " Bolero rhythm" for Veil dances...
You can see Var, John, and Ishmael performing on the IAMED's 2nd. Bellydance awards video as well.

Currently, I am organizing a ** Bellydance showcase** at a "Mediterranean Restaurant" in **Monrovia, Calif.** with Var Daghdevirian, (Dumbek & vocals) Rico Orrell, (Oud & vocals) & Maurice Saba (Violin) we encourage dancers that are experienced, & would like to perform with **The Band*, doing a full "Cabaret Routine" (10 -15 minutes) to contact me if you would like to perform.
It's a fabulous experiance..!!. Tribal Dancers welcome, but there is a some what small area in the center of the room for performing... 3 at the most!

Next **showcase** featuring the "LIVE MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC" of:
Var Daghdevirian
Rico Orrell
Maurice Saba
at "Sam's" Mediterranean Kebob Room,
in Monrovia, Calif. is July 25th, 09, at 7:30pm.

Contact me at: cyriana1@yahoo.com for information:
Guest performers for the next show are listed on my Blog.
Stop by & enjoy the music, dancing & delicious Mediterranean food...

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~*Learn the classsic "Art of Belly dancing" in one of my classes in...*~

The "INLAND EMPIRE" of So. Calif.
City of RANCHO CUCAMONGA & ALTA LOMA, CA.

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Thank you for your time,
"Cyriana" ~ Kathy Daghdevirian

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~My Favorite Quotes~

"Life may not be the party you wanted but while you're here you might as well dance"
"Work like you don't need the money, love like you have never been hurt, & dance like no one is watching"
"Every artist was first an amateur"
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm"
"Be the change you wish to see in the world. "~~ M. Ghandi
"How you treat me will not change who I am--but it will change who you are" ~ (Unknown)