Looking Back on 2012

Thank you to all of my students, teachers, fellow dancers, bandmates, and performance clients who made 2012 so great! Special thanks to my dance partner Felicia, student show co-host Chaya, and Jericha Senyak for always being inspirational and supportive.  Here are some highlights from the past year:

Teaching
* Taught some incredible students on a wide range of topics including Songs Every Bellydancer Should Know (both Turkish and Arabic), Vintage Oriental Skills: Floorwork & Zills, Prepare to Meet Your Dum, Expressive Elegance, Vibrant Veil and more
* Jericha and I co-coached Mary on her first solo
* Coached Christina on her first solo performance, Pat & Jamie on their first duet, Sophia on her first live music performance
* Began teaching at Studio Helix in Northampton
* Taught at several wonderful bachelorette parties

Studying
* Took workshops from Ruby Beh, Artemis Mourat, Elena Lentini, Asharah, Shifah, Donna Mejia, and Amity Alize on a range of topics from Turkish and Romani to Tribal Fusion and prop work
* Worked on Tribal Fusion stylization in private lessons with the incredible Jericha Senyak
* Took Nadira Jamal's amazing Rock the Routine online course
* Hosted my mentor Shifah for a workshop on Body Awareness and Emotional Expression

Performances
* Performed at a wide variety of private events including high school graduation parties, birthdays, Vashti banquets, poetry readings, bachelorette parties, and more
*  Had my first experience with theatrical bellydance in the Otherworld performance co-hosted by Manavi and SHOW Circus
* Co-hosted 2 fantastic student showcases with my partner in crime Chaya Leia
* Collaborated with my Manavi bandmates, wonderful dance partner Felicia Malachite, and the Sisters of the Moon dance troupe on a variety of performances

Other
* Restored the beautiful green Bella which was formerly Sandra's
* Attended the Creative Economy Summit hosted by Fostering Art & Culture
* Manavi made our first studio recordings
* Hosted the second annual student Secret Habibi
* Was invited to join the Crescent Dancers- they are some of my dance idols but unfortunately scheduling issues mean that I could not accept the offer at this time
* Was honored to watch Donna Mejia's MFA thesis presentation at Smith College
* Attended live performance by fabulous musicians Charbel Rouhana, the Shaheen brothers, Karim Nagi, and more

...and Ahead to 2013
I'm looking forward to another year working with my favorite dancers and musicians, teaching my fantastic students, and performing at beautiful celebrations!