Dancing has always been one of my most joyful expressions with its gifts of creative inspiration, health, fitness, sensuality and body awareness.  The therapeutic quality of dancing has brought me in touch with my 'inner goddess.'    Dance connects me with my soulfulness and for me is like a form of prayer and meditation, a ritual celebration of life's shadows and light. 
At age 5, my mother enrolled me in tap, ballet, jazz and baton classes at Kehl's School of Dance in Madison, Wisconsin.  For 10 years I took regular lessons and practiced as I gained a solid understanding of western classical dance technique and choreography.  Performing in various student recitals throughout childhood, my first recital was in a red polka-dotted dress tap dancing to the 'Good Ship Lolly Pop.' 
In college, I was a modern dance major at the University of Montana where along with back-country camping and completing a Wilderness and Civilization minor program, I was inspired by the contributions of Martha Graham and Isadora Duncan.  Assistant teaching a children's creative movement class and exploring contact improvisation were also influential in my development as a dancer and healing arts practitioner. 
In 1997 after rigorous studies in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, I graduated from East-West  College of Healing Arts in Portland, OR.  It was at this time that my passion for bellydance awakened and I have been hooked ever since!  Along with self-study through many videos, I have also taken numerous workshops, dance intensives, and teacher training programs to expand my knowledge and skill of middle eastern dance, music and culture with notable instructors/performers of this ancient dance form.  I have studied with Keti Sharif, Prof. Dr. Hassan Khalil and Liza Laziza of Cairo, Egypt.  In the realm of Tribal Style I have studied with one of the pioneers of American Tribal Style bellydance, Paulette Rees-Denis of Gypsy Caravan in Portland, OR. 
Versatile by nature, I'm drawn to a variety of bellydance styles including both Egyptian cabaret and folkloric and Tribal Style/Fusion as developed in the United States.  Completing Keti Sharif's A-Z Original and Advanced Routines Teacher Training program in March 2006 in Manhattan, NYC at Morocco's Studio enhanced my dance vocabulary of the various Oriental styles including classical, cabaret, folkloric and modern.  On a  quest for a deeper connection to Egyptian dance, music and culture, I made my first trip to Egypt in Sept.2007 to attend master teacher, Keti Sharif's International
A-Z  Teacher's Conference and Raks Sharki Tour.  It was exhilirating to have the opportunity to dance to live music with rababas and drums.  In Cairo,  I also completed Keti's  AstroBelly and Pulse8 Fitness programs.  Taking a seminar with Prof. Hassan Khalil has motivated me to to attend his Egyptian dance program in Cairo, Nov.2009 at his studio, Intl. Saray for Oriental Culture, ISOC.  Appreciating the community-oriented group centered dance of Tribal Style, I completed Paulette Rees-Denis' Tribal Style Teacher Training Level 1 and 2 programs in June 2008. 
As a bellydance instructor and director of my studio, Galactivate Fitness Studio since Jan 2005, I'm commited to a holistic, healthy lifestyle.  I aspire to bring out the best in my students by encouraging their artistic, creative development, self-confidence, health and fitness in a supportive, upbeat atmosphere.  I strike a balance between emphasizing the emotive, feminine, intuitive, improvisational, mystical quality of bellydance while combining aspects of proper body mechanics, technique, and choreographical structure.
My experience as a professional bodyworker and yoga instructor extends over ten years. Since becoming an LMT in practice since 1998, I've undertaken countless continuing education classes in massage, energy work healing and metaphysics and completed a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training program in 2001. On a regular basis I travel internationally to expand my disciplines in dance, Thai yoga/massage and have studied at schools and hospitals in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Beijing, China.  Teaching regular weekly Hatha and Kundalini yoga classes at WOW Fitness Center in Corvallis, OR since Sept.1998 has brought great fulfillment, fun and teaching skills.
As a bellydance performer, I have enjoyed dancing at showcases, festivals, restaurants, coffeehouses, and special events.  I treasure the friendships I have made through the local and world wide bellydance community.  I'm a member of two local guilds; Corvallis Bellydance Performance Guild and Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene, MEDGE which support artists with regular performances and special events.   I keep busy performing solo and with my student troupe, Galactivate, and hope to bring more light and joy to the world through the beautific bounty of bellydance.

MY PERFORMANCE VENUES

Luna Jazz Club

Meditarranean Hookah Lounge and Cafe

Electric Earth Cafe

Downward Dog Lounge

FireWorks restaurant and bar

Platinum

Majestic Theatre

The Beanery

Cozmic Pizza

Nile Group Festival

Faerie World Festival

Middle Earth Festival

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