Thread: Hello, from NYC and NJ area.

Hi everyone!

I've been a frequent lurker on this forum since I started dancing at age 17. I started off with tribal at a studio in my home state of NJ. And when I moved to NYC for college I started studying Egyptian and Turkish with various teachers. I felt like I was starting over and learning a completely different dance! But each style has it's own beauty.

So I am excited to reveal myself after almost 4 years. (Oh my goodness!) I am 20 now and trying to absorb the art as much as possible, that is between my course load and tutoring job. But I am sure I am not the only one who has to juggle between what seems to be two lives!

And don't mind me; I'll probably be doing a lot more asking questions than answering.

Nice to meet you all,
Arielle

Very nice to "meet" you too! I'm happy you un-lurked yourself
Enjoy posting in the forum
Gisela

to the forum. Glad you have de-lurked It's always nice to welcome our happy lurkers on board.
~Mosaic

Thank you for the welcoming.

Hi, and welcome!

Just out of curiosity, with whom have you studied in NY and NJ? I feel like we've probably bumped into one another by now, since I live in NJ and go to NY for workshops and shows, and we've been dancing for roughly the same amount of time (~5 years here).

Thank your for your welcoming as well, Yame! I wouldn't be surprised either if we have bumped into each other. And if not, probably bellydance-related. =D

When I'm in my hometown of NY, I study under Ashtar (who was my very first teacher) and Alexia. When I am in NY for college, I study under mainly Ivettina, Noora Noora, and Rayhanna, all of which have connection to the late Serena Wilson and her studio. In the past two years of studying Egyptian and Turkish style, I have sampled each class at Serena's atleast once.

And since I have put all their names out in the open, I want to say they are all absolutely marvelous dancers and dedicated teachers.

Originally Posted by Arielle

Thank your for your welcoming as well, Yame! I wouldn't be surprised either if we have bumped into each other. And if not, probably bellydance-related. =D

When I'm in my hometown of NY, I study under Ashtar (who was my very first teacher) and Alexia. When I am in NY for college, I study under mainly Ivettina, Noora Noora, and Rayhanna, all of which have connection to the late Serena Wilson and her studio. In the past two years of studying Egyptian and Turkish style, I have sampled each class at Serena's atleast once.

And since I have put all their names out in the open, I want to say they are all absolutely marvelous dancers and dedicated teachers.

I had a feeling... Ashtar was my first belly dance teacher, as well! I no longer take belly dance classes with her since (a long time ago) I decided I wanted to pursue Oriental styles rather than any form of ATS or tribal fusion, but I went back to her for ballet lessons a little while ago and still go to her for that.
Alexia is a wonderful teacher. She's a bit far from me for regular classes and I don't wish to pursue Suhaila's method or style, but I've taken workshops from her and workshops she has sponsored and was very pleased. She's definitely one of the best NJ has to offer.

The teachers in NY I've heard of, but haven't met in person yet.

** Oops: "hometown of NY" should have been "hometown in NJ".**

I also studied ballet under Ashtar, for a year. How crazy and such a small world!

Originally Posted by Arielle

** Oops: "hometown of NY" should have been "hometown in NJ".**

I also studied ballet under Ashtar, for a year. How crazy and such a small world!

Dude, were you in my class? lol...

Haha, I'm starting to wonder too! Or may have missed you by a hair. I took ballet from 2009 to 2010 roughly and I was with two other lovely ladies sometimes (Eden and Mary, I think were their names) but mostly by myself.