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Second Annual Student Stage Performance at the Beverly Arts Center 2008
June 2009
This will be a Sold Out performance, Please purchase tickets early.
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ZaZalove
Presents
TBA |
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“Therein lies a special place in humanity that ignites the courage of a student”
Caroline Speaks
Dance is my passion and by far my favorite pastime. I have only been dancing for four years, but it is something that I want to pursue for as long as I possibly can. The ZaZa Student Experience has not only served as an escape from reality, it is also a second family, somewhere where I have friends that I can always depend on and laugh with.
I was very shy when I was young. I hated performing or speaking in front of anybody, including my family and friends. I was apprehensive about what they would think and whether I was good enough. I have always, probably since I could walk, loved to dance, but I would have never expected myself to become the confident dancer and person I am today.
Looking back, I am so grateful that I had a very persuasive friend that convinced me to take hip-hop and belly dancing classes with her. I had fun with both those classes, but belly dance was what really hit me and took me by surprise. It enticed me because it was something out the norm, not the ballet or hip-hop dance that everyone took. It was something unique that was both an expression of dance and an expression and experience of self.
I am the youngest one in my student performance group. Though it would seem as if I should feel out of place, I don’t because these women take me in and treat me as an adult and look out for me as I would for them. I have never felt more welcomed nor supported in a new environment. I might even go as far as to describe the group as a sisterhood because we aren’t afraid to let our guard down and be blunt with each other. The closest relationships that I have made were with my instructor, Taj, and my duet partner Laura. They have not only supported me and given me the confidence in a dance environment, but in life as well. I remember Taj saying, “I purposely let you swim in the frustration so you could see how much you had on your plate”. They allow me to make my own mistakes and learn from them and through them I have taught myself the value of setting aside time to sort out life and make priorities before taking on extra responsibilities.
There are many perceptions about belly dancing and I have encountered them all. The usual reaction is "Wow, that's so cool!" either because they think it's fascinating that I'm doing something out of the ordinary or because the think it's provocative, I feel obligated to explain to them that their ideas are shaded by popular portrayal. Bellydance is and experience that enables women to express themselves as individuals, while feeling empowered, confident and supported by those around them. There is no provocative intention: it is in fact an expression of artistic culture that has healed the mind, body and spirit for centuries.
The ZaZa experience has opened me up and shown me how to take control of situations. It has taught me the true meaning of responsibility, the essence and power of self worth and genuine respect.
