Spotlight Dancer/Troupe
Susan

Hello! I’m Susan. I would like to start by saying “Thank You” to Yasmina for asking me to be a Spotlight Dancer on her website. I currently live with my four-legged children in a bustling Montana town. I work in law enforcement doing our own hometown version of CSI. Mine is a quiet existence, created with intent.

Growing up in Washington State I had the opportunity to be exposed to and experience many styles of dance from many cultures. Studying several of them over the years seemed like the natural thing to do. In the 1980’s I even spent several years teaching Country Western dance in the Pacific Northwest area at local clubs and folk festivals. But it wasn’t until moving to Montana in the mid 1990’s, that I even saw my first Belly Dancers. The music and colorful costumes were exotic and fascinating. The show closed with a sword dancer, and it totally sealed the deal for me. I was hooked! I sought out the group’s leader and immediately started taking classes and soon after began dancing at local festivals and events. At the time, options for costume purchases locally were non-existent and buying on the Internet was something I had never done before so I learned to sew just enough to make my own skirt (square panels with a tube at the top for elastic). I bought a belt from another dancer and modified it and a bra to match. Tah-dah! 
Here I am, a real Montana Belly Dancer – Wa Hoo!


Several years later I discovered ATS Belly Dance through workshops and videos and found that the music and costumes completely entranced me. I started designing my own belts and learning to sew a bit more to make more costume pieces. Shortly after this, with the explosion of Tribal Fusion and after being exposed to ‘Ar-bee’ at a workshop, I found yet another style to send my artistic expression soaring. Unfortunately, at this same time, I also sustained concurrent hip and back injuries that have prevented me from dancing or performing for an extended period of time. So I turned my focus to costume design and creation which has not only allowed me to stay active in the local dance community, but also given my creative expression the opportunity to bloom--something time and circumstance had limited until then.


Soon other dancers were interested in my costume designs and I began to help them create their own costumes ranging from simple jewelry and hairpieces down to complete costumes from head to toe. Out of these endeavors Witchy Bitchy Belly Dancing (aka – WBBD) was born. In the last year I have even branched out into creating Arabian Native Costumes for Arabian horse shows. Creating a costume for the rider was easy, but creating the costume for the horse, has proven to be an “interesting” venture to say the least. 



I see both dance and costuming as a creative expression where movement, costumes, color and detail can all be used to create a visually stunning form of art. The dance name I chose was “Zinat Luja”, which means “ornamentation or decoration of great depth”. It took me a long time to find just the right name and I believe it truly expresses me in both my personal performance and costuming, as well as, my designs through WBBD. I feel my costumes are colorful and highly detailed pieces that not only function as costumes but also as individual art pieces.


I am in awe of how many amazing, talented, and inspirational women there are among this family we call Belly Dancers; and how fortunate I am to have met the ones I have so far and inspired by the knowledge that I have so many more yet to get to know. Not only the hugely known people like Rachel Brice and Sharon Moore, who have inspired me personally, but people like my dance teacher, Sonja Alarcon, and the women in my very first dance class that I still hang out with; Kilah, Julie, Margo, and Anna. People whom I’ve never even met face to face, but who have through cyberspace, supported me and helped me at every opportunity, namely Pamela and Erec. And each and every person who shares with me, and every other one of us, by writing and sharing and producing products, information and conversation in venues like this and tribe.net and the many other publications and online resources that are available. Seldom have I ever been met with disregard from anyone I’ve ever approached in this huge community of Belly Dancing no matter how simple or mundane my inquiry. So for this opportunity, I again want to thank Yasmina for asking me to be here and to say thank you to all of you who may read this for allowing me into your Belly Dance family. 
See ya’ later, bye…. 



“Blessed are the Danced” - SUSAN

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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.