Interview with Toni

April 13, 2010 04:36 PM

Name: Toni

What is your role within the Sahara Dance community? I am a student.

Childhood ambition: My childhood ambition was to be a large animal veterinarian. I have always loved animals.

First job: I had my first job when I was in high school. Sister Marcella recommended me for a sales assistant job at the former Georgetown Uniform Shop. The shop is still in Georgetown, but now it is an antique furniture store.

What’s playing on your iPod or CD player? I listen to a variety of music. However, my favorite is world music. The music on my iPod includes Coco de Mer, Motown, Big Mama Thornton, Roberta Flack, Citizen Cope, Anthony Hamilton, Keiko Matsui, Dionne Warwick, Louis Armstrong, John Denver, Lhasa de Sela, Playing for Change, and the Barry Lyndon soundtrack. And of course, a variety of belly dance music.

Indulgence: Going on walks with my husband and my dog, movies, Pho, and fruit tarts.

What’s your favorite belly dance moment or experience? My first zills performance class with Leila, and performing her chorography in the show. I have so much fun playing zills.

Current inspirations: What goes on in the world.

What is your dance background? My mother put me in ballet classes when I was in grade school. She let me give it up for the piano. I thought about taking tap, but never did.

How did you get interested in belly dance? I became interested in belly dance when I was in college, but I never pursued it until now.

Finally, what do you love most about Sahara Dance (other than Hip Talk, of course!)? I love meeting and learning, not just dance, from all the people I have met through my involvement in Sahara Dance.

Permalink →