Thread: Hey I'm new! Comment so I can meet some new bellydancers!!

Hi my name is Deborah :-)
I am 16 years old and born and raised in Miami, Florida.
A little over 6 years ago I started my first BellyDance class when I was 10 years old. I had watched a performance from a show I was in when I was taking hiphop and jazz classes. The performance was a BellyDance and I was automatically attracted to the music and the dance. When I went to sign up for my dance classes for the new year I saw BellyDance was now available for children my age. I use to be very shy of my body and my mom was shocked to see I wanted to join. She let me sign up though and the next week on my first class I learned how to shimmy. The other classes I was taking (jazz, & hiphop), no longer seemed to impress me and I eventually dropped those. BellyDance however stuck with me. A year later I had my first performance to Kiss Kiss by Tarkan. Two years after that I went my first hafla with my BellyDance instructor. That night I saw who would be my future instructor, perform. Virginia Mendez! The internationally renowned professional oriental dance artist who is a constant inspiration and mentor in my journey through BellyDance! My teacher at the time told me later that week she was quitting so I went on and started classes with Virginia. I have now taken many many workshops with instructors such as Yousry Sharif, Amir Thaleb, Meera, Jillina, Asmahan, and more. It was during a weekend long workshop with Mohamed El Hosseiny that I realized all I wanted to do in life, is BellyDance. Just a few months ago in October of 2010 I did my first solo performance and competition at RAKSTAR 2010! It was an amazing experience. I am constantly working to improve my skills and become the best professional BellyDancer I can be. I am currently teaching classes afterschool at an elementary school as part of their afterschool care program. I also do private lessons for some of my students. My goal this summer is to get my business up and running and do a summer BellyCamp program offering classes in Polishing the Basics, Veil Technique, and History & Folklore. My more distant future goal would be to open my own dance studio with 15 rooms on 3 different floors with classes in BellyDance, fusion, bollywood and Indian dances, African dances, flamenco, pilates, yoga, aerobics, and Arabic drumming. I would also have a cafe, mock stage, day care, and more. I'd Aldo like to have a theatre and hotel in property. Of course with an Arabian theme :-)

Good luck Deborah, hope everything works out for you -

Originally Posted by anthea

Good luck Deborah, hope everything works out for you -

Thank you! :)

Hi Deborah! May you dance long and prosper, and realize your wonderful dreams.

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

Hi Deborah! May you dance long and prosper, and realize your wonderful dreams.

Thank You for the beautiful comment :)

Deborah, I love your dream and vision! You have so much of it "at your age." XD LOL I never thought I'd actually say that to someone...I am just starting out in bellydance, took my first lessons when I was 19... you are way ahead of the game!

Do you have any performance vids? I'm amazed by what you've accomplished so far!

Originally Posted by Sakiina

Deborah, I love your dream and vision! You have so much of it "at your age." XD LOL I never thought I'd actually say that to someone...I am just starting out in bellydance, took my first lessons when I was 19... you are way ahead of the game!

Do you have any performance vids? I'm amazed by what you've accomplished so far!

Thank you sooo much!!! And I don't yet have a video. I should be getting one soon though from the competition. Once I get it I'll send you the link :)

Welcome!

Originally Posted by lylagus

Welcome!

Thank you =D

Welcome to Bhuz! It sounds like you've worked hard so far and have great goals. Good luck bringing such a wonderful dream into reality!

Originally Posted by amarasdance

Welcome to Bhuz! It sounds like you've worked hard so far and have great goals. Good luck bringing such a wonderful dream into reality!

Thank you! My dream is huge but I just think it would be so amazing!

Best of luck! :)

Originally Posted by PepperLotus

Best of luck! :)

Thank you :)

Dream BIG honey! Welcome

Hi Deborah! *waves*

You rock girl. Keep it up!

Hi Deborah,
It's Isis from Virginia's company, just wanted to say I admire your dreams and your story. You did great at RAKSTAR, I hope the video gets done soon so everyone can see your talant :0)
Best wishes and warm hugs,
Isis

Originally Posted by isis_bellydancer

Hi Deborah,
It's Isis from Virginia's company, just wanted to say I admire your dreams and your story. You did great at RAKSTAR, I hope the video gets done soon so everyone can see your talant :0)
Best wishes and warm hugs,
Isis

Aw thanks Isis, you have always inspired with your dancing and it means a lot to me to hear you say that! I too hope the video get done soon! It was my first solo =D

Thank you!!!
Debbie