Nizana's M.E. Dance Site

              Upcoming Performances: either solo, or with troupe, or band: 

                                 See News Below and links to events!  

                                LINKS PAGE

                          Nizana's Archives

                         
                                                            Desert Silk Dance Company March 2011

                                   Desert Silk Dance Company 2006
                                        

Desert Silk Dance Company                                                                                        July 2004

                            Desert Silk Dance Company

May 2004  Photo by Jeff Oberman

Bonus section of Nizana's writings on the events page: Events page link at the top of this page.
              
                         Nizana 2007

1/04 Nizana is proud to announce the formation of her new troupe, Desert Silk Dance Company!! Nizana is the Director of this new Spokane area dance troupe, and is looking forward to dancing with this group of dancers at local and regional events! Nizana has also been published in this quarter's edition of Belly Dancer Magazine with a DVD review!! NEW LINK! Nizana has added Zaina's website to her links page.

Happy New Year!! In Iran, the Persian New Year (No Ruz) is celebrated on March 21.

ABOUT NIZANA:  Nizana has been studying Middle Eastern dance, and dancing for several years. She started studying with Azura of Spokane, took a workshop from Tahia Ali Beck, and then started studying with A'isha Azar.  Since then, she has taken workshops or classes from a huge number of regional, national, and international instructors who have inspired her.  Those instructors include Nagwa Fouad, Mona El Said, Morocco, Mahmoud Reda, Sahra Saeeda, Dahlena, Dalia Carella, Nakish, Maleeha, Titanya, Dondi, Kajira Djoumahna, Aziza of Ca, Nabeela, Alwiyah, Shoshanna, Fatima al Wahid, Jamila al Wahid, Amaya, Aneena, Elizabeth Dennis, Yasmin of WA/ID, Delilah, Aziza of Portland/Montreal, Saqra, Tina Sargent, Ne-Kejira Janaan, Nerine Avital, Margo Abdo O'Dell, Bozenka, Kathryn Ferguson, Sabura, Sian and Saroya of the Babs, Zaina Hart, Roy Petit, Eva Cernik, Jim Boz, Paulette Rees-Denis, Sidonia om Dunia, Hala, Tempest, Sonia, Naheda, Sharon Moore, Andrea, Santina, Vilma, Margeurite Kusuhara and many more wonderful instructors. Ongoing instruction is important to her, and she takes workshops as often as she can. Nizana has attended Rakkasah once (so far) and both International Conferences of Middle Eastern Dance in Costa Mesa, Ca.

Nizana was previously a member of Raks El Beledi under the direction of Azura, and was also previously a co-founder of Nah'Joom Dancers, where she conducted much of the troupe business and choreography for several years. In both troupes, as well as her current troupe, she has performed at many various venues, often multiple times, including the  Spokane Co Interstate Fair, Spokane July 4 Neighbor Days, Spokane's First Night, Chewelah Chataqua, WAMPUM, Family Affair, the Spokane Folk Festival, Powers Conference in Yakima, Medfest, Sabah's Annual Alternative Hafla, and the annual Celebration of Colors event in Spokane (which she co-produced and directed), among other venues. Nizana was a co-founder of NADI (NW Asso of ME Dancers Int'l,) conducting much of the business, including co-producing events, and writing the newsletter and website for several years. Nizana has been Stage/Music Manager for the Powers of Belly Dance Conference since 2004, and was the Evening Program Manager and an emcee for the May '06 Spokane Eva Cernik event. She is a member of MEAI's Volunteer Committee, and a member of the (now former) BellyDancers Unlimited Board of Directors and Steering Committee for the Annual Spokane Belly Dance Festivals. Since Jan '04, Nizana is the founder and proud Director of the Desert Silk Dance Company, based in Spokane, and they perform locally and regionally. She choreographs most of their routines. Nizana is a regular Staff Writer for "Belly Dancer Magazine" (now at ishimmy.com) out of Vancouver, Wa, where she won the magazine's first "Extraordinary Conrtibutor" award and was on the Nov 2011 cover.  She has been published in "Zaghareet!" and "Jareeda."  Nizana served as a Judge in the 2006 Double Crown Belly Dance Competition.

Nizana has logged many solo performances in festivals, restaurants, and other events. Nizana teaches private and semi-private lessons, and has taught Desert Silk Dance Company and others her many choreographies. She previously taught Belly Dance classes through the Spokane Community Colleges Institute for Extended Learning (IEL), and she is a Certified Belly Dance Instructor (Beginning and Intermediate via Sabah Performing Arts.) Nizana currently teaches quarterly sessions through the Moses Lake Parks and Rec Dept and runs occasional four week sessions in Spokane. She also teaches advanced and specialty workshops, collaborates with regional dancers on various projects, and is a satellite member of Band du Soleil in the Tri-Cities. Nizana performs cabaret, fusion, and some folkloric styles.

Nizana plays dumbek, claves, and zils/sagat, and typically improvises her solos. Nizana sometimes performs with a variety of props, including veil, cane, baskets and skirts. She is known for her stage presence, expressiveness, and her beautiful smile when she dances. Contact her at above email, nizana@att.net or mail Nizana POB 756, Spokane, Wa 99210

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