New Twist Seminar Instructors

   

Thursday

   

Aneena - Aneena, dancing for over 35 years and troupe director for over 30 years, and instructor at events all across the United States, is considered by multitudes to be THE expert on double veil dance.  Recognized for her command of entertainment skills, Aneena not only dances with these amazing double veils, but also makes fabulous circular veils available for purchase at Aneena's Silk Veils
   

Saqra - Saqra is a powerful dance artist and a master instructor. Her fluidity, grace, and technical skill is highlighted by her friendly demeanor and clear joy of the dance. She did not inherit the diva gene.  Saqra  is a master instructor whose video series is often used by other instructors to enhance their teaching techniques. Her clear method of breakdown and explanation and use of layered concepts make her workshops a challenge to all levels and an inspiring experience, without making them impossible for the newer dancer!  Saqra has placed or won in a stunning number of competitions beginning in 1988 – titles really too numerous to list — but she has stopped competing since 2001 due to her extensive and wildly increasing teaching/travel schedule, her event production schedule (an over 20 year old annual festival: Showcase in OR and a sister event & competition started in 2009, and her continuing "Bootcamp" Retreat in Seattle), her constantly increasing instructional DVD series shooting schedule, and with the 2002 creation of her dance band: Mediterranean RaqsBand -- she plays lead melodic on the keyboard, and yes, CDs are available along with musical notation for keyboard players.  She has also been featured on the covers of Jareeda, The Belly Dancer, and Zaghareet magazines.  Saqra was voted: "Best Kept Secret of 2005" and "Instructor of the Year 2008" by Zaghareet Magazine.
   

Jayna - Jayna has enjoyed a lifetime of dance experience.  From jazz and ballet classes beginning at the age of nine to captain of the high school dance team, performing has been a constant focus in Jayna’s life.  Because of her Lebanese Armenian heritage, she grew up surrounded by Middle Eastern culture and dance.  It wasn’t until she was twenty, however, that she decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and indulge herself in the art of Bellydance.  The lightening bolt of inspiration hit when she first saw the innovative and original L.A. based dance troupe, the Flowers of the Desert perform a Bellydance fusion routine to the classic song Kashmir by Led Zeppelin. The oozing emotion and snakelike seduction lured Jayna in like an incredible kiss on a first date. There was no turning back!  She had to have more. After pursuing her newfound love affair with Bellydance, Jayna was pleased to soon join the well known and highly respected dance troupe, Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers.  Performing at multiple nightclub and theatre venues throughout the years has showed Jayna that one of the most important elements of Bellydance is the intimate connection that can be made between the dancer and the audience.  Jayna has performed at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre with the Bellydance Superstars and Desert Roses, belly rolled with snakes at Universal Studio’s premiere of “Mummy:  The Ride,” and celebrated the glorious union of marriage for Tori Spelling, while having a shimmy-off at her wedding shower in Beverly Hills.  Jayna is currently touring with the Bellydance Superstars and Desert Roses; just having returned from a four-month tour of Europe, culminating in three months performing in Monte Carlo , Monaco.
   
Friday  
   

Mia Sha'uri - Mia Sha'uri is an incredible rising star we have watched blossom over the last 6 years.  Her amazing maturity, talent, diversity and discipline prepared her for her recent title of Belly Dancer of the Universe 2008 and Cabaret Professional Dancer 2009.   Mia's wide range of professional artistic talent including not only Cabaret but also Tribal, Gypsy, Latin and Bomba coupled with her dynamic stage presence make her a crowd favorite everywhere she performs and a shooting star to watch!  Winner of Yaa Halla, Y'all People's Choice Award Cabaret Star Competition in 2008 and 2009!
   

Yasmine Yasmine, who has an extensive background in ballet, tap, jazz, & Middle Eastern dance, is the studio owner of Mid-East Dance by Yasmine. Yasmine spent much of 2004 touring with the Bellydance Superstars performing in major cities around the United States as well as Barcelona, Spain and after touring teamed up with Master Tabla Player Issam Houshan, Carmine Guida & most recently Souhail Kasper in offering Drum & Dance workshops. Yasmine is well recognized for her dynamic and precise movements, which she carefully extends to her students - grooming them for their own spectacular performances. As well as being a sought after instructor due to her personable and fun teaching approach, Yasmine's distinct performance style is often referred to as "Cutting Edge Cabaret." Featured on the cover of the May/June 2007 issue of Zaghareet, Yasmine also appeared as a featured artist for Dr. Samy Farag's 2008 CD Release Gala Show in Texas at the Palace Theater. Yasmine hosts several events in the Charlotte area & is currently teaching seminars throughout the U.S. and worldwide.
   

Frank Farinaro - Frank, a life-long dancer, is Colorado's premiere male bellydancer. Over the past decade, Frank has trained in numerous contemporary and ethnic dance styles. Since 2005, Frank has performed and taught classes and workshops at events in over 18 cities and 6 states across the US. In 2009, Frank won Yaa Halla Y'all's the People's Choice Award Tribal/Alternative Star in Dallas, TX. Frank's current project is developing his signature Hammerhead Sharqi Dance Techinique, a style of dance and dance instruction which focuses on artistic dance fusion, athletic body conditioning and new-age meditative practices.

 


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