The Arabesque Academy hosts many guest teachers in all forms of ethnic dance... Arabic singing and Dumbek classes are also available with Dr. George Sawa.
"Classes are currently held at the Psychic Eye Bookstore in Mountain View, CA. The address and phone are 1128 El Camino Real, Mountain View, (415) 964-2220. Beginner classes are Tuesdays at 6:00pm and Intermediate classes are Tuesdays at 7:30pm, each class is one and a half hours long and lasts for 8 weeks. Price is $10 per class. Private lessons are also available. Azar has recently aquired a studio of her own and classes will be moved there sometime toward the end of the year. Please call Azar directly at [the number above] to confirm class times and location." "She's terrific...!" --Rhiannon
Credentials: B.A. in dance education, performed in countless private and corporate parties and functions, performed in all major Middle Eastern night clubs in the New York metropolitan area, featured dancer and responsible for hiring and management of dancers for Cedars of Lebanon and Darvish nightclubs in Manhattan for 6 yrs, former member of Ramzi El Edlibi dance compagny, co-founder of Oriental Images Dance Co., teacher of workshops and master classes across the United States.
The studio features a store front in which costumes and costuming supplies are sold, as well as ordered or made (see Suppliers below). Professional dancers are available for parties, restaurant dancing, etc. and the studio usually puts on two stage shows per year. The studio also sponsers workshops by guest performers. Store hours: M-Thurs 2-9, Fri 2-6, Sat 10-4.
"Suzanna is a lovely person and dancer. Definitely--and this recommendation is to anyone--if you can study with her, do. The thing I find most impressive about Suzanna is her ability to *be* in every movement, to finish every movement, and to give every movement feeling. And she can begin to *teach* you this--many people cannot! I think Suzanna is at her finest as a teacher of technique (which she always teaches, whether in a choreography or outside of it). Sometimes the steps she teaches are simple, and people say "I already know that step." But listen to *how* she says to do it--her body position, especially. This is what really makes her so perfect and beautiful when the same step on someone else is just 'ok.' ...I find many of her movements very classical. So don't believe anyone who tells you she is *just* 'new age.' Her background goes very deep... She is a *stunning* dancer. I was the one who coined the phrase, regarding her, that she is serenity and passion at the same time...her dancing is just *amazing.* She has the best spins I've seen on *anyone,* among many other phenomenal qualities.... She is, in short, one of my alltime favorite dancers and instructors." --Shakira
"Suzanna is one of the classiest cabaret style dancers you'll ever see. She is also a very sweet and beautiful woman. She has a basis in yoga and does incredible turns, as well as an undulating rise from a backbend that has to be seen to be believed. Her teaching is clear and coherent. don't miss it!" --Meira
Renowned teacher, performer and workshop teacher. Producer and sponsor of the Desert Dance Festival. Artistic Director of Nile Spice - A Dance Company. Dunia has produced several instructional video tapes.
Special Events of the Troupe: Cairo Carnival (Los Angeles), Desert Dance Festival, Oasis Dance Magic (Los Angeles), Magana Baptiste International Dance Festival (San Francisco), Troupe winner 2nd place 1995, solo performances winner 1996, Delia Echegaray 3rd place. Performances: Delia Echegaray in Sacramento: Taj Mahal, Marrakech and Cafe Istanbul restaurants. Juliette Arroyo in Los Angeles: Babooch Restaurant, San Pedro.