Andreana
| Background | |
I have been performing for 20 years, since the age of 6. Born in the US of Serbian/Lebanese heritage, I have grown up watching belly dancing and listening to Middle Eastern music. I have dedicated most of my life to my #1 passion… Dance! My unique representation of bellydance has been written about in the Chicago Tribune, Arts & Alive magazine, and Jareeda international magazine. It all began with my mother, Pava, who has been teaching/performing in Peoria, IL, for over 30 years and won the first Midwest Bellydance Competition ever held. Since the age of 4, I have been taking tap, jazz, ballet and gymnastics, so having a heavy dance background helped. What I love most about bellydancing is how much freedom and personal artistic expression is allowed. You can be any size, shape, age, gender and ethnicity, which makes this dance form beautiful. It’s simply good for the mind, body and spirit and a wonderful gift to share with others! |
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| Belly Dance Classes | |
| I have been teaching for 12 years. I currently have 3 performing dance troupes. My teaching style covers a very broad range of dance, including Cabaret, Tribal, Gypsy, Hawaiian, Tahitian, Spanish fusion, Bollywood style, and the list goes on. My classes involve drills, since I strongly emphasize technique, as well as intricate choreographies and lessons on stage makeup (I have to throw that in there, since I’m a licensed cosmetologist!) and customizing costuming. I also emphasize a strong background of musicality, improvisation and prop usage. Before our students turn pro, they must be skilled in zills, veil, Isis Wings, sword, cane, tambourine, fans, etc. I believe in sharing as much as possible with my students, so they never feel limited and can take what they want and apply it to their own personal representation of the dance. I believe we’re all students for life, since you can never stop learning, so I continue to take workshops and highly encourage my students to as well. | |
| Performances | |
| My first performance was at the age of 6… I was so shy, nervous, and was expected to shimmy in front of an audience?! Lucky for me, a cute older gentleman kept winking and smiling at me and that’s what got me through. Ever since that first performance, I don’t get nervous before my shows. If anything, the time on the stage is when I’m finally free to just be me and have the time of my life! My style includes Egyptian, Lebanese, Greek, Folkloric and Fusion style bellydance. I have an elegant, strong and dynamic style. I always like to connect with my audience and involve them in my show – it brings me joy to see the smiles on their faces! In 2004, I was featured on IAMED’s “Belly Dance Rocks!” DVD and ever since then, my career has continued to blossom. I perform regularly in Chicago, IL, and continue to perform around the country for corporate events, weddings, anniversaries, grand openings, birthday parties, bellygrams, luaus and other special occasions. My specialties include Isis Wings, sword balancing, zills, cane, and layering in my high-energy drum solos. | |
| Contact and Class Information | |
| For more information about classes, workshops, and upcoming events feel free to email me at bdancer_1@yahoo.com or go to www.pavaproductions.com. |
