I began dance at age 16 with the Cobblestone Arts Center of Farmington under the direction of Lorene Flora-Benson. Years of ballet and focusing on my forte ~ Martha Graham Modern style ~ I also explored other techniques with Pamela Trowcanski of the Black Crow Flying Dance Theatre back in the 80's ~ with the focus on Afro-Caribean Dance.
I recently was honored to meet "Babarah" at a Sahara Shimmer event. She is a master belly dancer and also performed with my brother "Mustafa" back in the 70's that included Omar Faruk Tekbilek. She recently just gave me the name "Shadiyah" which I am honored to accept!
Just finished recording my CD of original music with my love Steve Lowden and best friend Walt O'Brien ~ two amazing musicians! Soon to be coming "Perhaps I'm A Raincloud"!
!! Gypsy Musicians, *TRIBAL BELLYDANCE FESTIVALS & EVENTS*, 13 Indigenous Grandmothers Council, Allen Street Dance Studio, Bella Rouge Tribal Fusion, Edible and medicinal plants of the wild, Erie PA Bellydance, FatChanceBellyDance, Frederique: No Longer on Tribe...., Gypsy Caravan Dance Company, Healing Mother Earth, Heartbeat of the East World Dance Studio, HOME: Healing on Mother Earth, JLC Images Photography, Native American Prayer and Wisdom, Northern Migration~Tribal/Alt Dance Fest, Rochester Raks, Sahara Shimmer, Shezam!, Shimmy for a Cure!,