JUST A WALK, CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

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    Sep 05, 2012
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JUST A WALK, CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

I found myself walking on the street in Salta-Argentina, thirteen years ago.  That walk changed my life as I have found a place where someone was teaching a belly dancing class. Without any hesitation I have just jump in and decided to try it. In the past,  I have took ballet for a few months at the age of seven, and that was just the beginning of my dance career. The lack of money was an issue to pursue my dreams, although I have never give up. My family decided to support me and try their best in order to pay my dancing training at the studio “Al-Fayr”, and “Miriam Pedrazzoli” in Salta, Argentina. During that time, I  have received training with know professional dancers as Ruth Economo,Victoria and Virginia Lazcano, Saida Helow, Amir Thaleb, Osvalfo Brandan, Yamil Annum, Maiada, Zaarat,Virginia (Miami), Salome, etc. I have also perform with lively music: Mario Kirlis's orquestra and Al-Kamar in Argentina.

After  six months of training, I was dancing everywhere, restaurants, theaters, private events, and  even in competitions, where I was awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, including  best choreographer for a flamenco-belly dancing fusion that was performed by my own students. After hard work, I achieved another goal “opening my own studio named Al-Sham.” Al-Sham students were from 3-18 years old. Teaching kids was a rewarding experience that let me saw how much they were growing as a person, as well as dancers. My students and I had the pleasure  to be invited to perform at numerous Belly dancing events and competitions around Argentina.

In 2007, I have got a Bachelor of Arts with majors in ESL and Translations, as well as I become a professional belly dancer teacher and performer. However, my dreams didn’t stop there. My passion for dance inspired me to move to the United States in search of a better dance career. To that end, I was the recipient of the highly sought after dance scholarship at College of Lake County. My choreography work was showcased at the college’s recent 13th/14th Fear No Art. Nowadays, I am a current member of Raksanna’s Near East Dance Ensemble as a member of Raksanna’s Desert Flames.

I have learned so much by being  part  of this ensemble. We are a team of women working together on a common goal, a shared vision. This team is my biggest support outside of my family. While dancing with them I have not only grown as a dancer; more importantly, I have grown as a person. After many years of hard work, sacrifices, putting in time, and spending money a dream of the whole cast come true. We are thrilled to participate together with an international cast that represents eight countries and seven states, in a theatrical adaptation of the book  “Confessions of a Belly Dancer”. The show is co-produced by the legendary Momo Kadus and Raksanna herself, this provocative view of life leaves you laughing, crying, gasping, and yearning for more.

The show debuts on Saturday November 3rd, at the prestigious Paramount theater Copley stage in Aurora, a western Chicago Suburb. Then the plan is to tour the show in the States and in Europe in 2013 and 2014.  

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