Interview with Leila

March 30, 2009 10:52 AM

Name: Leila

What is your role within the Sahara Dance community? Instructor, Raqs Sahara Company Member (though I have done it all—student, studio assistant, souk mistress, RCE member…)

Childhood ambition: Believe it or not, my earliest ambitions were to be a dancer and also a forensic scientist. Careful what you wish for…

First job: I was an actor in a haunted house. I played a scary spider woman that hung in a web and jumped out at people. I was only 15 and a half but had said I was 16 to get the job. That didn’t last long.

What’s playing on your iPod or CD player? A lot of belly dance music, all the volumes of Jalilah’s raqs sharqi, Coldplay, Kanye, Britney, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Cake, Queen, Killers, and tons of other stuff.

Indulgence: Cheezits, cupcakes, sleeping, bubble baths, massages, hugs, sparkling grape juice, Scrubs, Dr 90210 and other surgery shows, sample sales, vacations, girly parties, hot chocolate, running, days off from work, and dancing around my apartment with my iPod. Did you want just one indulgence?

What’s your favorite belly dance moment or experience? I had many magical moments dancing at Marrakesh and also dancing to live music at the weekend midnight shows at Fettoush. I think any venue with a stage, live music and a captive audience is heaven for a dancer. The most meaningful moments are when my audience is so overjoyed by the music I’m dancing to, and I can sense their gratitude.

Current inspirations: My fellow members of Raqs Sahara will always be my greatest inspiration in dance :) Outside of Sahara Dance I like Samia Gamal for her great smile, Yousry Sharif for his exciting choreographies, Sahra Kent for her passionate and thorough research that she willingly shares, and Virginia for her style and skill.

What is your dance background? I’ve done a little of everything since age 13…modern, ballet, hip hop, a little jazz and tap, a lot of ballroom. There are three main phases in my life as a dancer: 1) Pom squad in middle and high school 2) ballroom in high school and college and 3) belly dance in grad school and beyond…

Dance was a great distraction for me, and sometimes my relationship with dance has been on the addictive, dysfunctional side ;) I’ve got a slew of stories that include dropping out of grad school twice for dance competitions, missing a med school interview for Nationals and cashing in savings bonds 24 years before maturation to fund a trip to London to study with top dance instructors. Today I’m happy to say I’ve found more of a balance in my life and being around positive influences in this community is a huge part of that :)

How did you get interested in belly dance? I went to Marrakesh on a date when I was 18. I didn’t like my date or the food, but I fell in love with the belly dancer. I was pursuing other dance goals at the time, so it was a few years before I decided to take my first lesson with Rachel Kay Brookmire. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Finally, what do you love most about Sahara Dance (other than Hip Talk, of course!)? I love how supportive everyone is of each other. I’m continually amazed at how my fellow teachers and company members share in each others’ joys and accomplishments, and are there for one another through dance and life challenges. I also love how fun and motivated my students are…I enjoy the opportunity to watch them grow as dancers.

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