Ep 109. Amaya: Creating & Documenting The History of Belly Dance in America

Having performed in over 21 countries, Amaya was the first to introduce the passion of Flamenco with the sensuality of Arabic Dance through her interpretation of the song "Amayagueña", composed especially for her by top composer Ibrahim El Samahy. Her fusion work in the early 1990s sparked many dancers to follow on her path. She credits her mentor and dance partner, the late Roman Balladine, for opening many dance doors around the world for her (Europe, Australia, New Zealand…). Amaya ran away and joined the circus! Her circus work in Salome Traumtheater and Circus Conelli in Germany and Switzerland were milestones in her dance career. In 1978 she got 1st Place Winner of Egypt Dance Competition in Sheraton Hotel (Cairo), and later she received the Giza Award for her documentary, “Gypsy Fire, Part One” 1988. She also got the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, Santa Fe, 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award, National Isis Foundation, Dallas, and many other acknowledgements.In this episode you will learn about:- Different stages of Amaya’s career, and working together with a male dancer- How to stop feeding negativity, and deal effectively with gossip and conflicts in your dance circle- Common threads in personality of all successful dancers- Amaya’s documentaries about the history of belly dance in the USA: why? how? who?- Why Amaya truly deserves her title of Wise Woman.Show Notes to this episode:Thank you for your support via Iana Dance Club: www.ianadanceCLUB.com.Follow Amaya on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. More information about her documentaries and retreat at her website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .Bellydance Evolution and information about their programs at www.JoinBDE.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast