About Me - In Case You Are Interested
Have Belly! Will Dance! Those of you who get this slogan are showing your age!
At age 23 and weighing in at 109 pounds, I began began my dance career in 1976 in Altoona, PA. I took a class at the local YWCA, thinking it would be a peice of cake and I'd be instantly sexy in ten weeks. Wrong on both counts!!! The dance was a lot more challenging than I expected. I eventually mastered the dance. However, I've yet to master "sexy" (what ever that is!)
If you would have told me at the time that I'd still be dancing 30+ years later, I would have told you that fat old ladies don't dance. Well, guess what!!! Fat old ladies do dance!
Now well into my 50's and weighing in at 100 and plenty, I've found new meaning for the term belly roll. I don't need those lovely Isis wings that dancers are using. Isis wings appeared on my upper arms a few years ago and I can now perform the Isis Wing Shimmy. Haven't mastered sexy, but I'm still a hot chick - just comes in flashes now.
In 1976. my first teacher was Leyla from Hollidaysburg. She provided me with foundation in this dance and also the opportunity to student teach. My most influential instructor has been Jadaya, originally of Camp Hill, PA - a wonderful woman who has been a great inspiration both in and out of dance. I've also attended workshops with Serena Wilson, Morrocco, Juliana, Leila Gamal, Ruby Jazayre, Conchi and Suzanna Del Vecchio to name a few. From these dancers, I developed an American Cabaret dance style founded in Arabic and Lebanese dance and music.
I've also been greatly influenced by Miraj of Harrisburg, learning tribal and jazz fusion to add a bit of sparkle to my dance. In addition to these instructors, I've also learned much along the way from my many dance friends and the many instructors at the various workshops over the years!
A bazillion years ago (1979), I completed master teacher training in Middle Eastern dance with Jadaya's Stufio. I am certified as a group exercise instructor by the National Dance Exercise Instructors Training Association / National Exercise Training Association (NDEITA/NETA). I hold certification as a Cancer Exercise Specialist from the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. I am also a member of the International Dance Teachers Association.
So, keep in mind, if I teach something, it's very likely not original. I'm not that smart. I learned it from someone somewhere along the way. Just can't remember who I learned it from.
The 1980's were the glory days! (Remember the Bruce Springsteen song?) I taught the dance in Johnstown, PA at the YMCA, the Nanty Glo Community Center and for the Community/University Studies Program of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
In 1981, I founded the troupe the Desert Dancers. It was a great group of ladies - five of us. We never could take ourselves very seriously. We got a lot of applause for our shows, but we were never sure if it was because they liked us or if the audience was glad we were done. We used to say that someday, we'd throw our hip shawls over our shoulders, dance with quad canes and call ourselves the Glittering Grannies.
We've gone our separate ways, but still keep in touch. Two of the ladies are real grannies now and I'm a great aunt.
Incorporating humor and audience interaction in my dance, over the years, I've done many comedy routines. Most of them unintentional!
I've performed for a wide variety of venues, including the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, Lebanese restaurants in Altoona and Harrisburg and, in the 80s, with local Lebanese musicians for weddings and cultural festivals. In addition, I've performed bellygrams for birthdays, weddings and holidays.
In 1980, on my 28th birthday, I had the opportunity to perform with Middle Eastern recording artists Eddie Kochak and Hakkai Obadia.
With the Desert Dancers, I performed at the Johnstown Ethnic Days and at the annual Ethnic Festival at the Johnstown Campus of the University of Pittsburgh.
In the late 80s, I moved to Harrisburg and eventually found a great dance community here. I learned folkloric from my friends, Jaheela and Vikki. And in the late 90's, performed Tribal Belly Dance with Troupe Miraj.
I've never had the opportunity to travel, so the closest I've gotten to the Middle East is working in Lebanon, PA for 6 years.
Spanning over 30 years in Middle Eastern dance, I believe belly dance is very beneficial for older women. It keeps us spirited, flexible and energetic. The dance is beneficial in addressing fitness and emotional / spiritual needs of dealing with various life altering circumstances and health issues such as menopause and cancer recovery.
I got to learn that first hand when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, 2006. Belly dance had a positive impact in my physical as well as emotional recovery. I had good arm mobility with in a few weeks of surgery and was back performing three months after a mastectomy. I became Betty the One-Boob Belly Dancer.
Now focusing on teaching instead of performing, I offer classes in Harrisburg, PA.
In my other life - I hold a Bachelors from Penn State in Biology with a biomedical emphasis and a Masters degree from St. Francis University in Industrial Relations (Labor Law). I've worked in human services since 1974 with most of my career dedicated to infants and toddlers with special needs. I've also worked with adults with mental retardation and worked as a counselor in a shelter for homeless families. I love dogs and fostered a number of pups that became service dogs for people with disabilities. |
What one say? I'm a 70's chick. 
If you are interested, click on the link to the story of how belly dance impacted my journey through breast cancer.
