I’ve been in love with this dance for over 20 years now. I’ve been dancing since I first found out about it, on a dare from my sister. Back then, Belly Dance had an “exotic” connotation to it. Since then, it has become an acceptable dance, like tap and ballet! What I love about the dance is that any person can do it; young, old, thin, ample proportioned, female, male. In the beginning I’d have the challenge of “Your husband allows you to belly dance?”, and then came the challenge of balancing my “real” 8-hour work schedule, raising the boys, and making time for my husband. Right now I perform at several restaurants, dance at private parties, teach several classes during the week, and also organize belly dance events such as Tito in SoCal, and DaVid of Scandinavia in Mexico, and teach workshops internationally. I’ve won awards: Belly Dancer or the Universe 07, Congeniality Award, and People’s Choice Award.
Belly Dance Classes
I have been told by my students that my teaching style is easy to understand and most of all FUN! I’ve been teaching for over 13 years. I teach zills, floor work, sword, veil, shamadan, Isis wings, etc. etc. I am bilingual (English/Spanish), so that makes it very convenient for the Southern California area! I also teach my students about public performance by taking them to the Del Mar Fair, many convalescent homes, and local festivals. I tell them there are many different types of venues where you can get a chance to dance, and to not let body stereotypes discourage you. Different audiences appreciate you for your special self! I try to instill a love of ones’ self, and to not limit yourself by any negative things you may hear from ill-meaning people. Life is too short, and you should enjoy your God-given right to enjoy it!
Contact and Class Information
Performances
I teach in various areas of San Diego, California For current classes, please see: http://anabellydancer.com and if you need further info, go into my website and click on “E-Mail Ana”.
Besides dancing internationally, I dance at many restaurants here in San Diego and Tijuana/Rosarito area. My performances involve my audience. I mesmerize them with my sword performance, excite them with the faster parts of the music, and get them up and dancing in no time at all! My style is traditional authentic belly dance—like Fifi Abdo did zills and all! I’ve been told many a time that I have charisma, and that you can’t “learn” what I have. I learned to dance before there were any classifications, such as ATS, Tribal, Tribal Fusion, Gothic, American Cabaret, Egyptian Style, Turkish Style, etc. etc. Back then in the middle 80’s there was just “Belly Dance”! I’ve been performing intensely for about 13 years now. The beginning of my dance career, I spent raising my boys and being “mom”, but as soon as they were in high school….look out world! My most fun performance was the time John Bilezikjian sent me to Cabo San Lucas to dance for the Hilton Hotel executives from around the world—they had beautiful Bedouin tents on the beach, with candlelight all over. All we needed were the camels! Also, dancing for/with Ehab Twafiq, Amir Sofi, and Gamal Goma—-dancing to live drums is fabulous!!! I don’t seem to get nervous anymore.
