I was never one for sports or music or much for anything besides books and nerdy stuff. I took the required tap, jazz, and lion taming as a little girl but was done with that by the time I was 10. In High School, the local Community College had a six week Introduction to Bellydance Course. My mom and I signed up but she chickened out. I enjoyed the class and thought that it would be something that I would try again someday.
In 2004, I had the honor to be in a Persian wedding. The bride's cousin danced at the reception in such a way that I was moved in a way I never had been by art. As I made the three hour drive home, all I could think about was finding a way to bring that dance into my life. My engine hadn't cooled before I was on the internet searching for classes.
From 2004-2007, I was a student of Alexia's School of Middle Eastern Dance in Knoxville, TN. In 2007, I decided to broaden my dance horizons and began studying with Sabylla of Bellabelly and Shahira, both of Knoxville, TN. From that time until 2009 I was a member of Bellabelly and Shahira's Troupe Hyetti. I like to think that I still am and always will be a member of Troupe Hyetti. They are my friends, sisters and partners in this dance.
In 2009, my life took a turn and I moved back home to Owensboro, KY. It is here that I opened Bluegrass Bellydance to spread my joy and my art with others. Not long after the move, I met Aziyade of Evansville Bellydance. Her passion for what we do matched my own and it wasn't long before we were on the road together attending workshops and shows and hashing out a master plan for world dominance (just kidding, sort of).
In 2010, it was I who taught that same six week class at the local community college, bringing my dance life full circle. From here I move forward both in my own dance and cultural training and sharing my knowledge with others.
For a complete listing of dancer whom I have trained with and past performances, visit my page on Bluegrass Bellydance.
