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Getting to Know Thia
by Isadora
Thia,
belly dancer extra-ordinaire, three time winner of the prestigious "Grand Dancer
of the Year 2006", "Headliner
Belly dancer of the Year 2005 and 2000", has emerged as on of the
brightest stars in Utah. She is the owner of the 'Egyptian Dance"
studio, "The Belly Dance Boutique", "Touch of Magic" belly gram company and has performed in Greece,
Germany and Turkey.
Early in her life, Thia was exposed to
Middle Eastern dance in an ethnic community in New York City. Her
family's attitude instilled in her an appreciation for the varied cultures
of the many faces of our world. They immersed themselves in the different
neighborhoods of New York enjoying the foods, entertainment, dancing, style
of dress, attitudes and language. From this background emerged the
fantasy that Thia has realized for herself.
From the beginning, coupled with her background
in and love of dance, emerged this present day icon of belly dance.
Her extensive training as a jazz and ballet dancer prepared her for the
world of dance orientale. Once she realized that there were lessons
offered for this exotic form of dancing, she pursued this art form with
the passion of a true convert. During those days in New York City,
she idolized the wonderful dancers dresses in silks with dazzling sequins
and glitter, bangles coins and bells. The vision of a barefoot dancer
sensuously moving to haunting Arabic Music, hips swaying, bellies fluttering
and undulation was the impetus that drove her forward in her quest to be
one of them. With an enthusiasm born of this illusion, Thia has worked
hard developing her expertise as a performer of Middle Eastern dance.
Through the years she has studied with
outstanding belly dancer teachers in Egypt, Turkey and the United states. She has spent many countless
hours absorbed in observing the techniques of the famous international
stars of belly dance, dissection their movements, practicing them, perfecting
them, making them her own. Her style of dance bears a strong resemblance
to Egyptian and Turkish Cabaret. She calls her unique style of dance
"American Cabaret".
Thia believes that each person can create
for themselves their own style of dance. The boundaries of belly
dance are expandable, stretchable. She has stretched the perimeters.
On stage the image she has created is one of a glamorous, sophisticated
dancer. In one performance she can be hot and spicy, strong, flirty,
and playful and them soft and feminine, smooth as silk. She captures
the interest of her audience with her beautiful veil work, rhythmic zils
or exciting sword dancing. Thia blend classic movements from the
Middle East with old time glamour and razzle-dazzle of Hollywood.
Belly Dancing is one of the few forms
of entertainment where the performer is allowed to augment her performance
according to the mood of the audience. When entertaining in restaurants,
clubs and stage, she can heighten her presentations to the level of expectation
of the audience. Their responses dictate the way in which she dances.
An exciting audience stimulates her dance performance to challenging levels
of choreography.
As a teacher of Middle Eastern Dance she
councils her students to be patient with themselves, to learn to love themselves,
to create for themselves a style of dance that is comfortable for them.
It is important for each individual to learn the various styles of dance,
but more critical, it is important to be aware of how you present it through
your body postures. How you stand, hold your head, gracefully move
your arms, place your feet and facial expressions are held to high standards.
What movements and combinations you perform are only secondary to the attitude
you display to your audience. As the teacher she is anxious to share
with her students whatever knowledge she possesses. She finds great
satisfaction in being able to help create new dancers who have incorporated
what she had brought to them, but who have also exposed their own innovative
spirit and become unique dancers displaying their own creativity.
It could be said that belly dance is a truly holistic art that promotes
the unification of body, mind and spirit and as a performer you feel total
involvement in the act of dance. This is a philosophy that is strongly felt
by Thia.
For Thia, belly dancing is a totally endeavor.
There is no place she would rather be, there is nothing else she would
rather be doing. The enthusiasm generated by her is contagious and
its rippling effect has far reaching influence. To witness her performances
is to catch a glimpse of an illusion of the romantic image of the "Arabian
Nights." To be her student is to be part a wonderful process that
can transform your idea of what you are and what you have to offer.
To be in the audience at one of her spellbinding performance is to be transported
to another place and time, where your are witness to a romantic, exotic
experience
Thia teaches classes at every level from
beginner to professional in Salt Lake City. Please check her lesson
page.
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Photo
Illustration by Arthur
Roberg |
