Seems like all the bellydancers and musicians profiles can be found on Facebook. If you want to be my friend, "like" me or want to join my Fb Group, please send me a friend request. Here are my Fb links;

Maria Parasson www.facebook.com/

Ohio, USA Belly Dancer Mariah www.facebook.com/

Maria Parasson Fine Arts www.facebook.com/

Thanks! And keep Bellydancing!

Born to dance

article by Nancy Loyan Schuemann


“Dance never really changed my life because it has always been a part of it,” Canton-based dancer Mariah explains. “My life would only change if I quit dancing.”


As the daughter of an Italian mother and a Greek father, Mariah (aka: Maria Parasson) was literally born to dance.

“As a child I grew up listening to the music from the Mediterranean and Middle East. There was always lots of dancing at home, church picnics, weddings, etc. I remember there was always a belly dancer at every party. My family owns Parasson’s Italian Restaurants in the Akron area. Food is a huge part of our lives, especially ethnic food! I loved eating out at restaurants, locally and while traveling, that featured belly dancers. I knew as a child I wanted to be a dancer when I grew up,” Mariah says.

Mariah became an internationally award-winning dancer. As a child, she attended a variety of dance classes and performed on stage and school functions. As a young adult she continued her studies and performances, incorporating belly dance into her repertoire.

She has continued to share her love of the art form by performing around the country and was a featured performer with Bellydance Superstars and OOJAMI on their United States tour.


“My style varies from Classic Oriental Dance (belly Dance), American Cabaret, Westernized Nightclub, Modern Egyptian, Fusion and Gypsy. My preferred specialty is Classic Oriental,” she says.

In addition to performing, Mariah has competed in numerous belly dance competitions around the country, finaling and garnering a number of first place awards.

“I started competing in 2006. It was time to get my name out there on a national/international level as a serious professional competitive belly dancer. I’ve competed from the east to the west coast and many cities in between. I’ve lost track of how many competitions I’ve done. I try to do at least 5 a year. Like any other competitive sport, there is a lot of training and dedication involved if you want to win. I feel accomplished as a multi-award-winning performer and choreographer, but there’s always more fun to be had and more friends to make along the way.”

One of Mariah’s most memorable experiences as a competitor was performing at Ahlan Cairo Nights 2008 Queen of Raks Sharqi Belly Dance Competition presented by Little Egypt in Dallas, Texas. Out of 33 contestants from around the world, Mariah finaled in fifth place.

“Winning did not matter. What did matter was dancing for the sold-out audience, other great competitors and celebrities in the belly dance world. Judges were Egypt’s very own Dina, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Randa Kamel and Dandesh!”.

“Thinking of competing? Go for it! Understand that there is a lot of work involved. First, you must research the competition itself to find out who the promoters are and at what level of prestige the competition has in the industry. If the competition is in its 37th year of production, that says to me it’s reputable and worth attending. You need to budget for competing. It costs a lot of money to travel, pay for hotels, music, costumes, and for some of us, babysitters (Mariah is mom to a daughter and a son). Training is a priority. When I have a competition coming up, I have to watch what I eat and work out regularly at the dance studio and gym. Finally, music. The number one issue is finding the right music for each category that fits the allotted time. Over the years I’ve become really good with GarageBand (a music editing software program for Apple’s I-Mac). “

"I know many dancers and artists that don’t believe in competition. Art to many is subjective. To others, art can be judged and it’s value determined on a scale. Judges have the most important role in a dance competition. They must be extremely knowledgeable in belly dance and its various styles. Judges must be unbiased and respectful. I do not like judges judging their own students. I’ve been to competitions where this has occurred and I will not go back. Most competitions give you your final score sheets. Many dancers use these numbers and words of advice to improve their performance or to see where they excel.”

In addition to being a belly dance artist, Mariah is also a visual artist, specializing in fine painting. With a BA in Fine Arts, she is a candidate for an MA in Fine Arts. As Maria Parasson, she teaches art classes out of her downtown Canton studio. She enjoys painting portraits, figures, animals and some surreal imagery. Many of her paintings are narrations of personal experiences, and many include belly dancers as the focus. Her work has been entered in juried competitions around the country and exhibited in select galleries.

“I think what sets me apart from other dancers is my experience and knowledge as a performing and visual artist. I studied Fine Arts, including painting, art history and dance at graduate school level. I’ve shown my artwork in numerous exhibitions around the country and I’ve been somewhat of an exhibitionist about it. Gallery art openings attract a type of crowd that appreciates and looks for the extraordinary talents of artists. If I have an art opening, it’s not uncommon for me to dress in full costume and put on a performance for my guests.”.

Maria/Mariah’s art and dance studios (Maria Parasson Fine Arts and Belly Dance by Mariah Studio) are both located in the same suite on the 9th floor of the historic Renkert Building, 306 Market Avenue, N in downtown Canton.


“Since opening Belly Dance by Mariah studio, just 3 months ago, I’m in the process of forming a professional touring belly dance troupe,” Mariah says. “I truly love the sisterhood troupe membership offers. Together, dancers blend many personalities, talents, different opinions and close friendships.”.


Belly Dance by Mariah Studio serves the Akron-Canton area with on-going open registration for new beginner, intermediate, advanced and private belly dance lessons. Mariah also teaches at belly dance workshops and seminars nationwide...

Downtown Canton Art’s District is featuring First Friday on May 7 with an open house at Maria Parasson Fine Arts from 6pm-9pm. There will be art, food, music and, of course, dance.


For more information, contact Mariah at 614.595.9215 or maria_parasson@mac.com..

www.examiner.com/x-10872-C...n-to-dance

Ongoing registration for new beginner bellydance classes.

New class:
Tuesday Jan. 5 2010 from 6-7 PM
Downtown Canton, OH

$25 one-time registration fee plus $100 for 8 weeks. Gift certificates available!

614-595-9215

Photo left to right;
Mariah 2nd, Erika 1st, Sonya 3rd/Peoples Choice

2009 MAQAM CHALLENGE WINNERS

Student Cabaret Soloist
People's Choice - Jonsey (IL)
3rd Place - Maharani (IL)
2nd Place - Nasim (WI)
1st Place - Jonsey (IL)

Pro Tribal Soloist
People's Choice - Eliza (IL)
3rd Place - Susan Warner (IL)
2nd Place - Eliza (IL) and Megan Hartmann (MO)
1st Place - Ayperi (WI)

Pro Drum Solo
People's Choice - Sonya (IL)
3rd Place - Sonya (IL)
2nd Place - Mariah Parasson (OH)
1st Place - Erika Ochoa (IL)

Pro Cabaret Soloist
People's Choice - Sonya (IL)
3rd Place - Sonya (IL)
2nd Place - Toria (MD)
1st Place - Erika Ochoa (IL)


The MAQAM Challenge 2009 - Chicago was a first- class competition. Kimahri worked the day like a pro. Met and talked with the judges Shira, Bashar and Jawhara all of which I thought did a fine job.

Competitors were on top of their game. Congrats to everyone for just entering!

To all the winners...Cheers! Work hard. Play hard. Dance harder.

Please look me up on facebook Maria Parasson - Cleveland, OH | Facebook birth name Maria Parasson aka Mariah

Memorial Day Weekend in San Ramon, California in the San Francisco East Bay Area.

Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
10550 Albion Road
San Ramon, California 94582


2009 Results

Maria - 2009 Belly Dancer of the Year
Sedona - 1st Runner Up
Karolina - 2nd Runner Up
Mia Sha'uri - 3rd Runner Up
Namira - 4th Runner Up
Magidah - Congeniality

Raks A'Diva - 2009 Troupe of the Year
Modern Gypsy - 1st Runner Up
Troupe Dhyanis - 2nd Runner Up
Tiyanna - Congeniality

Aiwa She Raqa - 2009 Trio of the Year
Seshata - 1st Runner Up

Fiji - 2009 Grand Dancer
Theresea Jade - 1st Runner Up
Taroob - 2nd Runner Up
Fiji - Congeniality

Belly Dancer of the Year Finalists: Namira, Mia Sha'uri, Khalilah,
Magidah, Maria, Lu Lu, Sedona, Summer Sahar, Mariah, and Karolina

These dancers were tough! I'm proud to be a finalist!! Congrats to everybody involved!

In photo from left to right;
Namira, Mia Sha'uri, Khalilah, Magidah, Maria, Lu Lu, Sedona, Summer Sahar, Mariah, & Karolina

The 2009 Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant
will be held Memorial Day Weekend in San Ramon, California in the San Francisco East Bay Area.

Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
10550 Albion Road
San Ramon, California 94582

2009 Judges

Ahava
Aneena
Ayesha
Aziza!
Denise
Ely
Fadil Shahin
Jizan
Judeen
Malia de Felice
Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan
Naiya
Numa'ir
Oreet
Pat Olson

Best of luck to all the competitors!