Ghawazee -- Description --	Dancers -- Musicians -- Photos -- Schedule -- Links
			Neefa -- Eledi -- Bakesh
			Oola -- Olivia -- Audrey
			Tamara

Olivia

"I have always been known as a dancer -- even though my 'official' training did not begin until 1991. Dance is where my spirit shines through! "When I was ten years old, even though I had no leotards, leg warmers, or tights, I would dress in the closest thing I could find and sit cross legged in front of the TV and watch 'Fame'. Later, dancing all over the house I jumped off the back of the couch trying to look like Debbie Allen in her finest moments. I knew, then, this was for me! "I feel the most whole when I am dancing -- all thought recedes and I am completely in the moment of the music (or is it inside of me?) My openness to melody, rhythm, and silence is my gift from the great one; and sharing the pure joy I feel when I dance is my way of sharing this gift." Olivia, who is a budding young student of anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh, was led by her studies to become involved in West African and Dunham Dance, which she studied for four years. She's been doing Middle Eastern ethnic belly dance since the fall of 1996. "Eledi brought Middle Eastern Dance into my life. I have to admit, it was very difficult to settle into the refined, controlled, and simply elegant movements, but the energy generated when I dance with the woman in this troupe has caused me to learn quickly. I feel like I've been doing this form many lifetimes. When I here the laughter, the rustle and the music of the marketplace my heart starts racing and I know that I am at home -- at least until the sun sets, the lights go out, and everyone goes home. Then I dance alone."