Talk to me about Dahlena

[annwyn]

I am hoping that we get stationed in Yuma AZ when we leave here. I was looking for teachers and found Dahlena I dont know much about her.....

[Lisa Michelle]

Hi Annwyn,

I have studied a lot with Dahlena over the past ten years commuting into Chicago where she has often taught. She has been a major mentor to me in this art. She can be tough and demanding but I love to be challenged and I have learned so much from her. She was one of the influental dancers in the 70's popularizing our art. She has said she was one of the first to begin giving belly dance workshops.

In her classes you will not only learn technique but also great principles for this dance. It is also fun to hear about the history of this dance in this country when she shares that as well. She is skilled at teaching many styles from classical Egyptian to folkloric styles and Spanish fusion.

A number of years ago she lived in the middle east performing while she was there.

She always talks about how much she learned from dancers that came from the middle east when they came to the states. I have heard her mention the twins Liz and Lyn a number of times. She talks about how she used to watch the native dancers dance to learn their style from them.

I hope you can take some classes with her in Yuma.

Lisa

P.S. I love these interviews with her:

Dahlena Interview GoBellyDance.com

Dahlena

Here she is on YouTube:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv1J_CGo6aU"]YouTube - Dahlena American Bellydancer[/ame]

[nakiajizeem]

My very first workshop was with her and she was amazing! I learned a lot of great moves. I highly recommend that you take a class or workshop from her if you can.

[sumayasaahir]

O my, I heart Dahlena. She is tough and demanding, but not unkind. I believe she is that way because she genuinely wants you to be the best dancer out there.

She will tell you the brutal truth about your self and your dancing (if you ask or maybe if not). Its advice worth its weight in gold. Our first lesson we spend a good 20 min to half hour doing her basic beginnig pose (1 pose, not even a combo!!!!!), and she "fixed me" from my posture down to my breathing.

Personally, Id let her beat me with a hip scarf if it meant It would make me a better dancer ;)

Ill be attending her April weekend and summer weeklongs for the rest of my career :)

[WildAnmar96]

oooh, thanks for posting these words about Dahlena. I'm also taking her weeklong workshop this summer and I'm not sure what to expect. I'm glad to hear she corrects posture because mine is so slouchy.

[Shadiyah]

Dahlena is wonderful! She taught here & performed in the MD area in conjunction with Souhail Kasper and Rashid Halilhal last year sponsored by World Music Folklike Center.
Her energy and talent are amazing to this day! I really enjoyed her technique and performance. Talk about lighting up a stage! I would definitely recommend taking from her. She's an American Icon.

Funny I should see this thread now as I'm watching an old vhs of her performing & teaching at the Northern IL Univ. from around the 1980-90's. ..g.:

[carolynn]

Dahlena is one of the All Time Greats.
she's beyond spectacular in so many ways. as a dancer, as a teacher, as a person, she's wonderful.

[Azhia]

You are fortunate. I didn't take advantage of studying with her when I lived in AZ.
Yuma! GREAT place for a photo shoot! ..g.:

[Shadiyah]

She has a 5 day Intensive coming up in Chicago in July 26-30th.

Dahlena - Dahlena's Workshops - Belly Dancing by Dahlena

I also love her photos

[catwomyn]

She also sells some dvds so you could see if you like what she teaches.

Dahlena - DVDs - Belly Dancing by Dahlena

[dancingrrrlz]

I worship that woman. She knows a LOT. We are so lucky that she is still dancing and teaching.

[WildAnmar96]

Just found this. I think this may be from Bellydance rocks

[ame=http://youtube.com/watch?v=9CU_3a_rkqA]YouTube - DAHLENA - Egyptian Eve[/ame]

[bintbeled]

Wow, thanks so much for posting this. Dahlena is such a nuanced performer. And such great lift, and wonderful body line.