Sonya? Sonja? Sonia?
- Thread starter Shanazel
- Start date
Farasha Hanem
New member
Yes, Sonia is (or was, I don't know, now) in the BDSS. I've seen her dance in a couple of other BDSS DVD's, but although she's much better than I am, her style doesn't exactly inspire me. She and Issam Houshan made an instructional DVD, "The Art Of The Drum Solo." My teacher who moved last year gave it to me a few years back, but I still haven't played it yet. 
I'm sure I could learn some pointers once I make myself watch it. >.>
I'm sure I could learn some pointers once I make myself watch it. >.>"Best Bellydancer Ever" according to the person who uploaded it. Maybe he should watch a few more videos, or even get out a bit more :lol:
Of course she's good. If I could dance half as well as her I'd be happy (well, as a perfectionist, probably not :lol But in terms of really good, international-class dancers, like all the other BDSS dancers I've seen (only on video ) that performance looks barely average.
Of course she's good. If I could dance half as well as her I'd be happy (well, as a perfectionist, probably not :lol
But in terms of really good, international-class dancers, like all the other BDSS dancers I've seen (only on video ) that performance looks barely average.
Sophia Maria
New member
I actually like Sonia and have watched her before, although I really have to admit I don't watch her that often because her performances always leave me a bit...eh. Very little emotion or stage personality. I appreciate her technique, but I would love it if she put something more special into it.
Shanazel
Moderator
Thank you all for the feedback; I'll pass it on. I'm only vaguely familiar with BDSS thanks to a long ago verbal duel between its director and one of our adamantly conservative ex-members. I thought Sonia gave a nice clean performance though I agree with Indrayu that the poster should get out a bit more.
Sonia went from beginner directly to the Superstars. She trained in other dance styles so she picked up bellydancing rather quickly. She never did the professional route - dancing in restaurants, teaching, etc. To my knowledge she never even had a website. She has no bellydance resume other than BDSS. She auditioned for Miles and she was exactly what he was looking for - young and beautiful. Her dancing is adequate but certainly nothing special.
If you watched American Bellydancer you might recall Jillina arguing with Miles over auditions - Jillina wanted more highly trained, experienced dancers and Miles made no hiding of the fact that his priority was young and beautiful. In fact one of his picks had to be sent home because she was too young to legally work.
ETA: I didn't mean to imply that Sonia went directly from beginner classes to Superstars - she did take additional classes and quickly moved beyond what teachers in her area had to offer. My point was that she didn't make it by the usual pro bellydancer route and lacks the range of experience that comes with it that most pro dancers have.
If you watched American Bellydancer you might recall Jillina arguing with Miles over auditions - Jillina wanted more highly trained, experienced dancers and Miles made no hiding of the fact that his priority was young and beautiful. In fact one of his picks had to be sent home because she was too young to legally work.
ETA: I didn't mean to imply that Sonia went directly from beginner classes to Superstars - she did take additional classes and quickly moved beyond what teachers in her area had to offer. My point was that she didn't make it by the usual pro bellydancer route and lacks the range of experience that comes with it that most pro dancers have.
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Amulya
Moderator
The video has been removed. I can't remember if I saw her in the show I not to. I went to the first version of the show, they had a but more variety in dancers than in the later ones if I remember right.
It's a shame that show pissed so many people off, it was a great show. Yes it's not nice of Miles to only pick certain looks. He had general audience in mind and got belly dancers for audience instead two audiences that might want different things and he misjudged what he was going to get.
However he had quite a lot of really good dancers in the show.
I'll have to look up Sonia. Curious what this clip is like.
It's a shame that show pissed so many people off, it was a great show. Yes it's not nice of Miles to only pick certain looks. He had general audience in mind and got belly dancers for audience instead
two audiences that might want different things and he misjudged what he was going to get. However he had quite a lot of really good dancers in the show.
I'll have to look up Sonia. Curious what this clip is like.
Amulya
Moderator
Watched it: I don't see what the problem with her dancing is :think:
Maybe you mean she could give a bit more energy in it so it becomes more powerful?
Maybe you mean she could give a bit more energy in it so it becomes more powerful?
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Sophia Maria
New member
That's kind of what I mean. That's nothing wrong with her dancing--it's lovely. She just seems...I don't know, "cold" when she dances. Following a choreography, step by step, executing with perfection...but she looks like she doesn't care why she's doing it.
Like in the performance below: the lines are perfection, the choreography great, but she looks bored! That may not be that case at all. Some people are intensely into the dance but are more emotionally restrained. But I would just love to see her showing the dance on her face
zaridancer
New member
Just popping in quickly. but I notice there are some really inaccurate things posted on this thread. American Bellydancer is an ok film, but it should not be taken as gospel.
I;m sure miles would love everyone to believe that he invented all of the bdss dancers. but he did not hand sonia a career. I used to gig at the same place as her when I lived in LA during the late 90s(Dar Maghreb -- its gone now). that is how I first encountered her, and it was long before BDSS existed. She is an attractive girl and LA had plenty of work opportunities from restaurants, parties and clubs back then.
Personally, I like her dancing. Everyone gripes the the BDSS are too brash, too showy, too poppy-locky, too in-your-face. Sonia isnt any of that but still gets criticized. Sort of like damned if you do, damned if you dont.
I;m sure miles would love everyone to believe that he invented all of the bdss dancers. but he did not hand sonia a career. I used to gig at the same place as her when I lived in LA during the late 90s(Dar Maghreb -- its gone now). that is how I first encountered her, and it was long before BDSS existed. She is an attractive girl and LA had plenty of work opportunities from restaurants, parties and clubs back then.
Personally, I like her dancing. Everyone gripes the the BDSS are too brash, too showy, too poppy-locky, too in-your-face. Sonia isnt any of that but still gets criticized. Sort of like damned if you do, damned if you dont.
I'm in no position to criticize Sonia's dancing - she is far more accomplished than I, far younger and prettier. She is lovely. But here is a contrast that to me shows the sheer joy and passion of arabic music and dance - the incomparable Nadia Gamal:
Hezzi Ya Nawa3em
Hezzi Ya Nawa3em
Sophia Maria
New member
I haven't seen her before, but I heard her name. She's interesting--I've never seen someone dance quite like that. I was surprised by the hand shimmies, I've never really seen that except maybe in Khaleegi.
The choli was also cool. I usually don't like cholis but she rocked that.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Amulya
Moderator
It's a cool costume!