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Suzanna

offline 20 friends
joined on 01/13/07
last updated 03/19/08
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My Friends

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SUZANNA @ Emerald Rain

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My Bio

Gender
Female
Location
about me
I often get asked, "What do you do for fun?" or "What do you do in your spare time"?
The answer is: I am already doing it, and because it is so much fun, I don't have any spare time!

Dance has been at the core of my existence for a lifetime. With a focus on Egyptian Orientale and training in numerous folkloric influences, I have studied Middle Eastern dance for more than a decade, building on an extensive background in jazz, West African, modern, and ballet, and 12 years of experience in the theatre.

I discovered my passion for belly dance while preparing for a lead role in a play - "Sivaree" - in which the character was a belly dancer. As an Egyptian Cabaret soloist, I perform weekly at Seattle’s premiere nightlife and restaurant venues as well as with cultural celebrations, fundraisers, arranged tours, and private functions.

My dynamic style has been influenced by studies around the world with many of today’s prominent Middle Eastern dance instructors, such as Farida Fahmy, Mahmoud Reda, Hadia, Morocco, Saqra, and Delilah. Independent travels to Egypt, Morocco, and Senegal, and strong community ties throughout Africa and Europe, enable me to continually advance my training and research.
With my universal understanding of rhythm, movement, production, and choreography, I partner with event producers, musicians, DJs, and artists, to design shows that blend belly dance with a variety of popular and global genres. I am also a frequently featured soloist in Bollywood shows. A few artists that I perform and collaborate with include MB Orchestra, an Arabic & Pop band that has been performing between the US and Egypt for over 30 years, Thione Diop, whose gift as a West African percussionist and performer makes audiences fall in love at first sight, every time, and I Heart Shiva, a Bollywood event that is transforming Seattle nightlife one weekend at a time.

Since 2004, I have offered classes to absolute and advanced beginners in Seattle’s lower Queen Anne area, and am regularly contracted for private coaching by people of all backgrounds, needs, and goals.


I would like to live in a society in which the arts are supported to the same degree as sporting events, but until I'm ready to relocate to those parts of the world in which they are, I'll shut up and make the most of it. I hold a Master of Public Administration with an International Development focus, and a Bachelor's in two majors -- Theatre Arts and Political Science.

In addition, I have experience in nonprofit development, writing & editing, teaching & training, international development, marketing & communications, event management, and research & analysis. I've traveled through most of Western Europe, and worked, studied dance, and/or chilled out in Senegal, Morocco, Niger, and Egypt. My French and Wolof (native language of Senegal) could use some refreshing.
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My Events

SUZANNA has new classes enrolling now! (events » other) Friday, October 5, 2007 - 6:30 PM “Egyptian Belly Dance Workout”
for beginners/advanced beginners
Tuesdays @ Ravenna Eckstein Community Center
Wednesdays @ Northgate Community Center

“Intro to Middle Eastern Dance Workshop for Teens”
Emerald Ballet Theatre in Bellevue
Wednesday, Nov. 7 – 6:30-8:00

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Egyptian Belly Dance Workout:
Tuesdays, 7:30-8:45
Ravenna/Eckstein Community Center
6535 Ravenna Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 684-7534
Sept. 25 – Nov. 27 ($90)

Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00
Northgate Community Center
Oct. 3 – Oct. 31 ($60) & Nov. 14 – Dec. 19 ($69)
10510 5th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125 - 206-386-4283

The "classes" page of my website at www.planetsuzanna.com will guide you through online registration with Seattle Parks & Recreation, or call one of the centers above to register by phone.

Intro to Middle Eastern Dance Workshop for Teens:
Wednesday, Nov. 7 - 6:30-8:00
Emerald Ballet Theatre
12368 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98005
Call (206) 234-6016 for info, cost, and registration

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ABOUT THE CLASSES

Egyptian Belly Dance Workout:
Belly dance is an increasingly widespread and reinvented movement art form. Egyptians still consider it as natural for the body to execute as walking. Suzanna will teach you to dance from your core with mystical power and grace, and skillfully engage your natural body mechanics in creating the magic of this captivating art form. Build strength, stamina, coordination, and confidence as you gain a new sense of control over your body and physical expression, and open the door to a conditioning activity that can be practiced for a lifetime! Short combinations from each class will build into a one-song choreography. Wear workout pants and top with bare feet (or leather bottom dance shoes, if needed). Bring a veil of 3 yards of silk or flowy chiffon with no sequins or attachments (some loaners will be available) and a broom, and get ready to move to some of today’s hottest Middle Eastern music available!

Intro to Middle Eastern Dance Workshop for Teens:
Today’s “belly dance” encompasses movement and expression from many societies around the world. Although it is now reinvented in pop culture by celebrities such as Shakira, the art form has been practiced since ancient civilization. It is incredibly empowering for girls and young women because it develops self-possession and control over the female body, increases confidence, and dignifies and honors femininity. Egyptians consider it as natural for the body to execute as walking, yet presenting it well involves the same level of discipline dedicated to ballet and other crafts. Suzanna will introduce you to how to skillfully engage your natural body mechanics in creating the magic of this captivating art form, with movements such as hip lifts, drops, shimmies, circles, and undulations, while covering proper alignment, arms, weight shifts and distribution, and engaging your power core.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Dance has been at the core of Suzanna’s existence for a lifetime. With a focus on Egyptian Orientale and training in numerous folkloric influences, she has studied with over 20 Middle Eastern dance instructors around the world, including top artists such as Mahmoud Reda, Farida Fahmy, Hadia, Tito, Liza Laziza, Morocco, and Saqra. In addition, she has an extensive background in jazz, West African, modern, and ballet, and 12 years of experience in the theatre. Her independent travels to North and West Africa and strong community ties with local Diaspora enable her to continually deepen and advance her knowledge of rhythm, movement, improvisation, production, and choreography.

Since 2004, Suzanna has offered classes in Seattle and is regularly contacted for private coaching by people of all backgrounds, needs, and goals. She has worked with early teens through women in their 60s; with mothers, Opera Singers, aestheticians, engineers, students, etc. Although participation is predominantly female, she welcomes male students, as they have been among some of her best instructors. Whether you are a curious beginner or aspiring performer, whether you seek to feed your spirit and soul, would like more attention on the dance floor, or yearn for a more creative fitness program, her classes will help you build coordination, strength, flexibility, stamina, and confidence as you gain a new sense of control and trust with your body.

She is insistent on torso lift, proper alignment, arms, weight shifts and distribution, and engaging your power core, yet encourages individual mind-body discovery and expression rather than precision with choreography. In many instances, she shares multiple approaches movement to train students to particularize subtle body mechanics and maximize vocabulary. Come with an open mind and the desire to study a low impact, full-body conditioning activity that can be practiced for a lifetime!

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“I have seen Suzanna perform in many venues, adapting herself to the space and always capturing the audience. Although she is an electric performer, her excellent character comes through in her teaching. Suzanna has taught my daughter Sofie for the last few years. I appreciate Suzanna's attention to authenticity and detail; she has nurtured Sofie beyond the studio to seek out performance opportunities and competitions and empowered her with confidence.” --Maria, Pilates Coach, Ice Skating Professional, and Mother
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My Recent Activity

Elisa Gamal & Manon - - Encore! at HABESHA ( events » nightlife ) It was such a smash hit a couple of months ago... HABESHA must have an encore show by spectacular belly dance artists Elisa Gamal & Manon!

Savory, nutritious, and delicious Ethiopian cuisine (and the cocktails won't disappoint either), combined... read more
event starts Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 9:30 PM
WORLD DANCE SHOWCASE! - Featuring Delilah, Sofie, Simone.... ( events » arts ) World Dance Showcase has just turned 1 year old, and like a toddler, it has grown legs and taken a life of its own! Every month quakes with talent, artistry, and incredible vibes. Your involvement has created this magic. Thank you thank you thank ... read more
event starts Sunday, August 3, 2008 - 6:30 PM
It's an "Afro-Arabic" WoRLd DaNce sHowcaSe this Sunday, July 6th! ( events » community ) In town this holiday weekend? Lucky you!! Come celebrate your freedom
of expression through dance, dance, dance!

Looks like we're having an "Afro-Arabic" kinda World Dance Showcase this Sunday, July 6th. Live
AFRICAN DANCE, accompanied by the... read more
event starts Sunday, July 6, 2008 - 6:30 PM
HABESHA features Elisa Gamal & Manon this Saturday! ( events » nightlife ) Savory, nutritious, and delicious Ethiopian cuisine (and the cocktails won't disappoint either), combined with world class entertainment every 4th Saturday!

This Saturday, June 28
9:30-10:30pm
HABESHA will feature spectacular belly dance arti... read more
event starts Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 9:30 PM
H.O.T. Concert - Friday, June 13th ( events » arts ) Seattle Folklore Society & South Seattle Community College
present House of Tarab (aka "H.O.T.") in a vintage Arabic concert
accompanied by world class belly dancers DELILAH and SUZANNA!

Friday, June 13th, 7:30pm
at OIympic Hall
"Tarab" is ... read more
event starts Friday, June 13, 2008 - 7:30 PM
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