Interview with Chiaki

February 23, 2009 10:46 AM

Name: Chiaki

What is your role within the Sahara Dance community? Instructor, Raqs Sahara member, Student

Childhood ambition: Lunch lady

First job: Waitress at Denny’s. I originally applied for dish-washing job - I was really shy and wanted a job that didn’t involve human interaction. The manager talked me into working as a waitress instead. When my classmates walked in a few months later, however, I left from the back door and never went back.

What’s playing on your iPod or CD player? Yearning, Yearning, and Yearning

Indulgence: Spa treatments that I can’t afford; sharing a long dinner with good friends (but not sharing the bowl of pasta I ordered for dessert); going to see a great ballet performance; leaving town; long phone calls to my family and friends overseas.

What’s your favorite belly dance moment or experience? As a teacher, seeing my performance class dance on stage is by far my favorite moment.

As a performer, I have fun when audience stand up and dances with me — I had a mixed feeling when I got my first money shower, though.

As a student, I look forward to every opportunity I have to take class with Yousry. I also love watching great dancers perform live - Dina, Aida, Tito, Samay, Bozenka, to name a few.

I enjoy going out of town with my troupe mates to take our favorite teachers’ workshops… that way, great classes are coupled with strolls in far away cities and long delicious dinners with good friends (and some times spa treatment thrown into the mix). It’s really hard to beat that…!

Current inspirations: I’m looking… : )

What is your dance background? Ballet during childhood. I freaked out on my stage debut and stood there crying in my frog costume. My mom still can’t believe I dance in public.

How did you get interested in belly dance? By process of elimination. I wanted to take up dancing again, but I was not going to relearn how to stand on my toes. I wanted something that doesn’t involve too much jumping up and down, something graceful, something you can do as an old lady, and something that doesn’t require standing too close to a man I am not related to. I had never seen belly dancing before, and I showed up to my first class wearing a leotard.

Finally, what do you love most about Sahara Dance (other than Hip Talk, of course!)? People. : ) I would have been long gone without the inspiration I get from the students, support I get from the management team, and silly time I have with my friends.

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