Spotlight Dancer/Troupe
Alexandra King

Alexandra King is one of the foremost Middle Eastern Dance artists, instructors, choreographers and producers of Middle Eastern Dance productions and videos in Santa Barbara, the California central coast and the United States.

Her services include belly dance classes on campus at UCSB from the beginning to intermediate levels; a professional level performance dance company; instructional and performance videos and dance supplies for the beginning level dancer and dance events and productions. She is the producer of the prestigious Middle Eastern Dance festival, Moon Over Morocco, which brings some of the best belly dancers and Middle Eastern dancers to the Central coast for a weekend of performances and workshops and which is held every two years in the beautiful coastal city of Santa Barbara, CA. She is the founder and director of Santa Barbara most prestigious and only professional Middle Eastern Dance company, Seher, which is the also the UCSB Mid-East Dance Ensemble. And, she is the producer of one of the most popular beginning level instructional video series’ on the market.

Accomplishments: In 1985 she produced the popular performance video "A Very Special Evening at the Plaka," featuring herself and both of her teachers, Diana Ferrari and Jenaeni Rathor. In 1986 she produced the four-part instructional / performance video series "The Ancient Art of Oriental Belly" Dancing," which gives instruction in the basics of the dance; hundreds of thousands of these tapes have been sold throughout the United States and Canada. In 1986 she was the featured cover story in Habibi Magazine (Vol. 9, No. 6), the premiere periodical of Middle Eastern Dance and Culture (www.habibimagazine.com). In 1988 she placed first in the Walnut Creek Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant. During 1989 and 1990 Alexandra wrote, choreographed and produced the first full-length Middle Eastern folk ballet titled "Seraglio." She then toured with the show in California and Utah. Later in 1990 she joined Dr. Scott Marcus in forming the first and largest university-based Middle Eastern Ensemble at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), in which she is currently the dance director and principal choreographer. In 1998 Alexandra was nominated Best Instructor by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (IAMED), and in 1999 she won IAMED's award for Best Cabaret Dancer.

Training: Alexandra is the granddaughter of silent screen star Molly King. She began her dance training and performing at the age of ten, inspired by a family of actors and musicians. Alexandra's training includes ten years of ballet, four years of training and performing in Polynesian dance, jazz and tap as a child, three years of flamenco classes, two years of training in the classical East Indian style, Bharata Natyam, Greek and Middle Eastern folk and line dance, as well as intensive study of both Traditional and Modern Styles of Oriental "belly" dance.

Alexandra studied belly dance first with Diana Ferrari, a former member of the San Francisco-based company Kos Kadas, and later with the legendary dancer Jenaeni Rathor, Ansuya's mother. She was a member of Rathor's company, Yaleil, from 1980 to 1983, and still works with Jenaeni and her daughter, Ansuya, in dance productions. Alexandra has traveled extensively throughout North Africa and the Middle East to observe and study the dances of this region. In 2001, she was appointed as the lecturer in the first ever accredited ethnic dance class in the Univeristy of California at Santa Barbara (USCB) dance department. She travels extensively throughout the United States teaching and performing, both independently and as the director of UCSB's Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, Seher.

Upcoming Event

To contact Alexandra King
Website: http://www.alexandraking.com/
Email: alexandra@alexandraking.com

top

powered by FreeFind       More about Yasmina Classes & Workshops Performance Schedule Shimmy Bliss Shimmy Bliss eBay Store Students Page Yasmina Yasmina's Blog Spotlight Dancer/Troupe of the Month Aaliyah Spotlight Link Belly dance auction sites: www.mybellydanceauctions.com (new auction from Bhuz.com) www.live-bellydance.com/ (site is based in the UK) www.etsy.com (home made goods above link is direct to belly dance section) What's New A Sampler of Belly Dance Styles a day of workshops with Helena Vlahos, Sherry V., Gina Cinardo and Yasmina  Saturday Oct. 25, 2008 Yasmina's 14th Annual Swap Meet  a day of workshops with Holly, Carrie Konyha, Morgiana and Yasmina - Come vend, shop, learn and network  Saturday, January 17th   Belly Dance A Raqs Sharqi Magazine 3408 W. Burbank Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505  818-567-3105 http://www.bellydancemag.com/   Carrie Konyha of Sedona, AZ Bellydance performer, instructor, choreographer. Voted Best Teacher in Sedona, Kudos 2007 Readers choice award Weekly classes in Sedona (beginning - advance),  Dance retreats, Workshops & Performances NATIONWIDE Traditional Raqs Sharqi , Tribal & Gypsy Fusion www.gaiadance.net  carrie@gaiadance.net  (928) 282-1587   Learn to  Belly Dance for fun!!     with Halyma's Belly Dance Lessons on DVD Great gift idea! Available online and in Ottawa Stores now! Clean and clear instructions for the basics of belly dance for any fitness level - no previous experience needed! www.bellydancingforfun.com Halyma@bellydancingforfun.com phone: 613.241.3397   Amira  International Emissary of Dance Original Videos, Music & Clothing For Your Belly™. Highest Quality 5-Star Rated Free Bellydancing Music Downloads www.amirasbelly.com   Belly Dance     classes / performances  Holly  928.300.4452 Aradia  of Las Vegas www.aradialv.com aradia11@aol.com (702)808-3430 See-fit Body Stockings Your second skin   Designed to be worn under your costume,    in flesh, black or fishnet crystal Lycra. For more info please visit www.see-fit.com Dare to be Bare! allow these beaded heavenly adornments to carry your imagination to a place of joy and spirituality as you experience the mystical language of dance Even if you don’t dance barefoot – consider our lovely foot jewelry as a finishing touch to your photography session while in full costume.   Many of our designs are made with genuine Swarovski crystals that sparkle like the sun.  You’ll look like a Goddess!  And if you’re planning a beach wedding, be sure to take a look at our Beach Bride Collection Seaside Aqua  This pair of handcrafted barefoot sandals combines a mixture of faceted ovals, tiny hearts, rondelles and pony beads in ocean-inspired shades of aqua.  The design is accented with gold Bali rings, ovals and rounds.   (Also available with silver accents instead of gold.) A mother of pearl shell medallion graces the top Handcrafted on durable,  elastic cord An array of designs and colors to match your costumes Available in Small,  Medium & Large Custom designs welcome Jewels by Jan http://www.jewels-by-jan.com   www.orientaldance.tv  http://thebellydancetrainer.com/   Shimmy Bliss Costuming Co. Tribal Belly Dance Supplies We receive in new items weekly so please  Check out our websites    www.shimmybliss.com or visit us on  eBay Would you like to see your ad here??  Check out the Ad Page for more info.