I often get asked, "What do you do for fun?" or "What do you do in your spare time"? The answer is: I am already doing it, and because it is so much fun, I don't have any spare time!
Dance has been at the core of my existence for a lifetime. Training with Egypt's most renowned dance artists, I have studied Middle Eastern dance locally and internationally over the past twelve years, building on an extensive background in jazz, West African, contemporary, and ballet, and 12 years in the theatre. My dynamic fusion of classical Egyptian Orientale and Modern Cabaret has been influenced by studies with dance artists such as Mahmoud Reda, Farida Fahmy, Prof. Hassan Khalil, Aida Nour, Liza Laziza, Hadia, Tito, Morocco, Delilah, Saqra, Leila, and Elisa Gamal. I discovered my passion for belly dance while preparing for a lead role in a play, “Shivaree,” in which the character was a belly dancer.
Since 1997, dance study and research, poverty alleviation work, and relentless curiosity about the world has called me to travel (often repeatedly) to countries such as Egypt, Senegal, Niger, Morocco, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and the UK. With a Master of Public Administration and eight years of capacity building experience across nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors, I am passionate about helping to improve quality of life locally and globally.
Today, I perform and produce with premiere venues and events throughout the Northwest, frequently collaborating with other high caliber dance artists and musicians, including House of Tarab, Thione Diop & Yeke Yeke, and MB Orchestra. Recent, venues, clients, and sponsors I have worked with include Bellevue Arts Museum, Pyramid Communications, Seattle Folklore Society, ArenaNet, Inc., and Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant & Lounge. As founder and producer of World Dance Showcase and other community events, I bring together all genres in celebration of dance and the language of music and movement. Check out these shots!
Since 2004, I have offered classes and personal coaching in Seattle for people of all backgrounds, needs, and goals.
For information on belly dance and movement coaching, classes, booking, and shows, go to www.planetsuzanna.com.
On a personal level, words cannot express how grateful I am for my amazing daughter and my incomparable circle of friends and family. The heart, talent, and intellect of these extraordinary individuals are evidence that life and humanity are astoundingly beautiful, in spite of the evil we see. Myspace friends reflect my community of choice on a global scale. Thus, while I support freedom of expression and respect diverse tastes and lifestyle choices, if your page is covered with g-strings, I will probably not accept.
