I'm a Dance Orientale fanatic ... having the time of my life as I live, breath, eat, drink, sleep all things belly dance. I've pursued a couple different arts in my lifetime: ballet, tap, gymnastics, drawing, acting, violin, poetry, but none have captured me quite like this. I suspect it has something to do with all of the afore mentioned arts being wrapped up in one - I find a little bit of everything I need right here in Middle Eastern Dance. As of late, my biggest passion and inspiration is the Arabesque school of Orientale dance as taught by Amir Thaleb of Argentina. Guess it's that Latin blood stirring in me!

Just a little bit about my inspirations: after starting classes with my mom in Olympia, WA, I've studied, performed, and taught Oriental dance nearly everywhere life has taken me for the past 18 years: Vienna, Austria; Baja & Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Las Vegas, Nevada, and of course Washington. These travels have enabled me to study with many of the greats ... and I can't stress how good it is as an artist in this form to study from as many different teachers of all levels as possible.

I now teach, perform, and organize Orientale dance events throughout King County and the greater Puget Sound. I host monthly Belly Dance events at the Enat Ethiopian Restaurant, and perform regularly at Marrakesh in downtown Seattle and Sabrina's in Kent. As well, I perform at festivals and dance seminars throughout the Northwest and the country. I am also dedicated to the belly dance community via my work with Middle East Arts International (MEAI), a non profit organization promoting excellence in the Middle East-inspired performing arts.

1st Runner Up - Belly Dancer USA 2009
1st Runner up - Emerald Rain Professional Belly Dancer 2008
1st Place - Emerald Rain Fusion Performer w/Chinese Silk Fan Veils 2008

If you're another belly dancer or musician looking for more friends in the community, please drop me a line. If you're an old friend dropping by to catch up, I can't wait to hear from you!

www.MirabaiDance.com