BELLY DANCE BY DENIZ
Turkish American Dancer Dedicated to the Diverse Artistic Representation of Middle Eastern Dance
Deniz’ Background & Inspiration
My lifelong passion for dance, equality, multiculturalism and women’s leadership development inspires me to be dedicated to the artistic representation of Middle Eastern dance.
Growing up in a multicultural home and representing the Turkish, American, and secular Jewish/Islamic communities instilled my core values of being open to understanding people of different cultures, ethnicities and religions. Music and dance are a common language with the ability to create a bridge of understanding.
I discovered my love for Turkish belly dance at the age of 3. My progressive Turkish family encouraged me to learn belly dance moves and perform them in addition to my jazz and tap dance classes. My dance performances were often featured at school talent shows and international festivals during my youth.
After taking a break from dancing to pursue volleyball and musical theater as my primary extracurricular hobbies, I renewed my passion for belly dance when I met Tina “Enheduanna” Elkins of Orange County, California. Her energetic classes and unparalleled mentorship re-instilled my passion for belly dance and exposed me to a beautiful world of diverse belly dance/folkloric choreographies, research, and music taught by her talented percussionist partner, George Medlock.
Under Enheduanna’s artistic direction, I joined Raksat Al Zamaan (Dances of the Ages) in 2002 and performed in a variety of community festivals, celebrations, galas, benefits, competitions, and the annual Oriental Nights. In addition to training formally with the talented Enheduanna, I’ve taken workshops and courses from international master instructors and choreographers including Mahmoud Reda, Nourhan Sharif, Yousry Sharif, Lee Ali, Rana Miras, Melissa Pina, and Sonïa of Belly Dance Superstars. I also have professional experience teaching beginner, intermediate and advanced belly dance and folkloric classes and master classes for women ages 12+.
DUNYA Dance Troupe in London
As the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of DUNYA with beautiful dancer Rosy Summerbell of Belly Dance Belles, we are dedicated to the diverse artistic representation of Middle Eastern dance. Our approach is to create opportunities to learn and be inspired by a variety of dance genres and share Middle Eastern/Oriental dance through unique choreographies and memorable performances. DUNYA is a London-based professional belly dance troupe founded in September of 2009. Visit our website or contact me at deniz@michelledrouse.com for details. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter too!
Performances
Below is a list of performances featuring Deniz as part of DUNYA. For more information about upcoming performances, please email deniz@michelledrouse.com.
2010
28 January 2010, 7:30pm: Planet Egypt Bellydance Showcase (Darbucka World Music Bar & Lebanese Restaurant, 182 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, UK)
31 January 2010, 7:30pm: Bellybliss @ Madame Jo Jo’s(Madame Jo Jo’s, 8-10 Brewer St, Soho, London, W1F OSE, UK)
27 March 2010, 6:00pm: SameeraShimmyNites (Stratford Circus, Theater Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BX)
1 April 2010, 7:30pm: Arabesque Monthly Bellydance Showcase (The Gunnersbury, 590 Chiswick High Road, W4 5RP, London, UK)
1 May 2010, 6:00pm: Turkish Delight Festival Showcase (Istanbul, Turkey)
Videos
For more information, please contact me at deniz@michelledrouse.com
