| Donia (Denise Robinson) has been studying and performing Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) for the past 10 years. Her studies have included intensive workshops with some of the best known dancers in the US, as well as personal experiences dancing directly with people from the Middle East. Her passion for the dance has lead to extensive research, studying the technique of the great dancers of the Middle East and the many varying styles of Middle Eastern Dance - each of which has associated costuming, rhythms, and movements.
"I've been to many shows in the
US, but I'd given up the thought of ever seeing dancing
of this quality since leaving Egypt."
-
Sherief |
Donia's performed on Binghamton News Channel 34 in July 2007 and October 2007, and was featured on Binghamton's PBS station WSKG in April of 2008.
Understanding and interpreting the music is at the very soul of this art form. Donia is known for the richness of her performances. She sites Nashwa, Nagwa Fouad, Fifi Abdo, Raqia Hassan, Diana Tarkhan, and Nourhan Sharif as being important influences.
As she made the transition from student to student and teacher, her good friend Ilya was a guiding light offering support, advice, and real world experience.
Donia is also an accomplished Bharatanatyam performer (a classical dance form from South India), and has experience with Persian, Flamenco, and various Rom (Gyspy) dance styles.
"A powerful flame within a delicate
flower."
- Zajal (aka Katharyn
Howd Machan, poet laureate of Tompkins County) |
She is a member of:
ASAmed
Associated Artists of Middle Eastern Dance Inc.
SABA
The Syracuse Area Bellydance Association
Some of the dancers
she's studied with:
Aida Nour
Aisha Ali
Amir Thaleb
Artemis
Diana Tarkhan
Delilah
Morocco
Nashwa
Randa Kamal
Sahra Saeeda
Tito
Some other dancers
she's taken workshops with:
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