

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BELLY DANCE IN SANTA BARBARA
The 1970’s was a time of Globalization. World dance and music became the hottest thing since the 1930’s clubs with giant floor shows! LA...


Tips on Improvisation
Improvisation is extemporaneous choreography. That means that improvisation is accomplished with the same mechanics and principles as...


WINNING in 2019
THE PLAKA In 1975, when I began studying belly dance, I was a serious balletomane – I took classes all week - point, ballet, barre...


Christmas in Turkey
CHRISTMAS IN TURKEY – Yup! During this time of the year I am reminded of my trip around the world in 2001 and in particular, my time in...


Turning, Part II
TYPES OF TURNS Turning is perhaps the most complex and difficult feat in dance, but, it is probably the most dramatic and beautiful of...


TURNING, Part I
THE FIVE PARTS of TURNING Do you remember turning as a child? Endless revolutions pretending to be an airplane or a bird! Did you dream...


HISTORY OF HAIR REMOVAL – TO SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE?
I began teaching belly dance in 1981, prompted by my dear friend Julie McCleod. She had just opened her studio, The Dance Warehouse, and...


CHOREOGRAPHY: Motivation
In the art of choreography, MOTIVATION refers to whatever is behind movement that drives the dancer; either Drama, Music or Culture, or...


CHOREOGRAPHY: DESIGN/LINE
Dance has been likened to architecture in that both subjects are all about DESIGN / LINE. Design in architecture has to do with the...


DYNAMICS
DYNAMICS: Intensity of energy in a direction. Tension vs. Relaxation. The fundamental action of a muscle is contracting and releasing....