Female

29

Life's good :) One must always remember that, especially when things turn sour! My life? Wonderful, even though it's CRAZY busy! I'm married to the love of my life (and my best friend!), I'm half way through pharmacy/graduate school (yes its busy, but I wanted this...it will pay off soon!), my family is healthy and happy, and I'm dancing and loving life in Barefoot BellyDance with some really great friends...really what more could one person need? Just remember to make lemonade from life's lemons!!!
And now on to those weird little facts of life!

******************************DANCE BIO**************************************

Growing up in a Palestinian household, Jen has been immersed in the art of Middle-Eastern Dance for as long as she can remember.

She was first, formally, introduced to belly dance while watching various local Cabaret belly dancers in Portland, Oregon and quickly became even more enthralled with the mysterious art form. Several years later, at the age of fifteen (1995), she began taking Cabaret style classes with an instructor in Portland, by the name of Ruby.

In 2001, she relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah where she sought out Cabaret style instruction from Thia. She began performing with Topaz, a student troupe under the direction of Thia. Later, in 2002, Jen was invited to join Wysteria, also under the direction of Thia, to continue perfecting and performing Thia’s, and Wysteria’s, unique style of Tribal/Gypsy Fusion for years to come.

Years later, while watching FatChance BellyDance perform in SLC, Jen became fascinated with American Tribal Style Belly Dance. She was absorbed by the swirling colors and grace that was presented on stage. Shortly thereafter, Jen was equally consumed by a Tribal Fusion performance performed by Rachel Brice, and Mardi Love, which ignited a flame inside her.

She immediately began studying American Tribal Style (ATS) Belly Dance and Tribal Fusion style with Kashmir Dance Company (2007), eventually becoming a core member of Kashmir Dance Company (an American Tribal Style Dance Company) and the Black Pearls (KDC’s Tribal Fusion troupe)!

Outside projects and instruction, by LaRa Zorn, recently led her to become a core member of Barefoot BellyDance, Utah’s only Tribal Style & Fire Fusion Dance Company, currently based in the Orem/Salt Lake City area. Jen can also be seen performing as a Soloist at various functions.

In addition to that, Jen has been certified in American Tribal Style (ATS) by Carolena Nericcio, originator and creator of ATS and Director of Fat Chance Belly Dance based in San Francisco, California. She also has had several years of classical training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance throughout her adolescent and early adult years. Jen has taken various workshops and instruction from several, internationally-known instructors such as Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes as well as local instructors such as Amina. Jen is currently a full-time second year pharmacy student at the University of Utah and uses her knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology to deepen her understanding of dance.