gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to share with me her thoughts & feelings about Middle Eastern Dance that I hope you all will enjoy....and if you haven't seen Aziza in action, you will be prompted to do so!Asmina: How long have you been dancing and how were you introduced into this dance?
Aziza: I've been dancing since I was three (ballet) and started bellydancing 17 years ago. I was introduced to the dance by a friend of mine who didn't want to take a bellydance class by herself. My first teacher was Rubye Sowder in Vancouver, Washington.
Asmina: What has been your most rewarding dance experience?
Aziza: Early in my career it was performing and changing peoples' minds about what belly dance could be. More recently, my most rewarding experience is teaching and travelling to share my love of this dance to the next generation of dancers.
Asmina: What has been one of your most dissatisfying experiences?
Aziza: Having to defend the integrity of the dance, dirty feet, and smoky clubs, just the not so glamorous side of bellydancing.
Asmina: Why do you think that the American perception of who and what a
bellydancer represents is the way it is?
Aziza: We have a history of the dance being just a variety act. The public and the dancers involved have at times been guilty of denigrating the dance. (However, there have always been dancers who had integrity, too) I'm happy to be a part of the new wave of bellydancers treating the dance with the respect an art form deserves. I think that the public is starting to wake up to that.Asmina: You travel all over the country teaching workshops, what techniques do you teach?
Aziza: My emphasis is on a solid foundation, isolations, flexibility, strength and endurance to perform the movements. My specialties are drum solos and veil.
Asmina: What does bellydancing mean to you?
Aziza: After so many years of the rigors of ballet, it was personal expression and the discovery of new cultures. It also gave me a sense of my self worth as a woman and let me put a higher value on the strength of femininity. I feel honoured that I can share that with other women.
Asmina: Do you do complete choreography, spot choreography or just improv when you perform?
Aziza: When I perform solos I do primarily improv and occasional spot choreography. Improv does not mean lack of preparation. It took years of training to be able to improvise.
Asmina: What notable awards/recognition have you earned as a dancer or are awards & competitions not very important to you?
Aziza: Awards and competitions have their value. They have also helped me to advance my career and to strive for a higher level of achievement. I feel that all of my awards have been achievements. I really value being chosen as a Rakassah instructor, Bellydancer of the Universe, and my IAMED award.
Asmina: What props do you enjoy utilizing in your dances the most, if any?
Aziza: Veil, zills (are they a prop?), and shamadan at weddings.
Asmina: What advice would you give to a new dancer in terms how to be a
captivating performer?
Aziza: Honour your dance by truly training your technique. There are things you can and cannot control. For instance, you can control if your veil is ironed, but not how long your torso is. Take care be aware of how you present yourself, but don't give energy to things you can't change. Establish your intention before you perform.
Asmina: You dance seemingly effortlessly & with such fluidity. Where do you go internally to bring out that excitement & energy in your performances for your audiences?
Aziza: I like to connect with the excitement and joy of when I first discovered this dance. I also have to give credit to my many years of ballet for grace and upper body alignment.
Asmina: As a performer, what do you enjoy the most?
Aziza: As a performer, I really enjoy the energy exchange with the audience.
Asmina: Do you prefer dancing to LIVE music or taped or does it matter?
Aziza: Live, live, live! It adds that extra element of creativity.
Asmina: And finally, what do you want people to think or say about "Aziza" 10 years from now?
Aziza: I hope people say I've been a positive influence on Middle Eastern Dance.
You can see Aziza in a variety of videos. Check her out in "Rockin' the Casbah"
