New Image Stylist -- Neat Discovery!

Dear Ones --

Have just come back (w/in last 20 minutes) of Susan B. Hillson's wonderful first-ever one-woman jewelry show (fabulous job, Susan, and I'll post up your website as soon as you have it ready!). All her friends and co-workers came, and Sabira and I joined her as well. Beautiful jewelry, and she will custom-design to order. To connect w/ Susan (until her website goes live), use shillson7 (at) gmail (dot) com.

At her show, I met a fabulous young woman -- Janocye -- who has an image consulting business. (Visit Janocye's website to get a sense of what she can do for you.) Janocye is centered in the Gaithersburg area, and can easily visit clients in the Potomac, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Great Falls, and McLean areas.

We had a wonderful chat -- and Janocye is truly a living testimony to her own business. Having lived and worked in New York for many years before moving to the DC area, she combines the "Big Apple" sense of pizzazz and style with the more structured and conservative look that many adopt here.

Many of my new students come to me because they've had a life-change of some sort, and - as they put it - "I was ready to do something just for me!"

For those ready to do something "just for me," you might check her out at Janocye's blog -- she promises to be updating it more often.

With the seasonal round of parties upon us, and an upcoming round of inaugaral balls, now is just the right time for a new look. Combine belly dance (for a fabulous presence), a new image (with Janocye ); and then get Janocye to guide you with custom-designed jewelry from Susan for your new look / new year!

Special Invited Guest Artist - Amustela

Amustela is one of our area's favorite dancers -- always creative, always inspired, always fabulous! She has been with us in several MEDEA performances, and has always come up with something very new, different, interesting -- and captivating!

Special Invited Guest Artist - Katayoun

Katayoun is a much beloved and favorite area dancer. She is graceful, elegant, and sensual at the same time. She switches seamlessly between classic Danse Orientale (cabaret) and her native Persian styles; beautiful and delightful performer!

Special Invited Guest Artist Caleena Janay

Caleena Janay first joined us for an awesome, outstanding performanc in Viva la Diva; she is an area favorite and we are so looking forward to her dance!

Special Invited Guest Artist -- Urvashi

Urvashi is new to us this season, and we are so looking forward to having her dance -- with her snake "Bhakti" -- in the upcoming MEDEA VI!

Special Invited Guest Artist - Nadira Maher

I first saw Nadira Maher dance during an evening hafla that we had following a workshop that we hosted for Joe William, teaching the Delsarte Method. Beautiful, inspired improvisational dancing!

Returning Soloist -- Maha Najeeb

Maha Najeeb, well known throughout the NOVA dance community, rejoins the Troupe for this year's MEDEA VI performance. You can see traces of her previous performances with us by going to http://www.alaynya.com.performances/ and clicking on prior shows such as Diamonds, or Unveiling.

Sabira - Tribal and classic Danse Orientale

Sabira is now the most senior student within my dance studio, and has been performing for almost seven years in the NOVA and Greater DC area. While she does Tribal style as well as classic Danse Orientale, she specializes in very slow, graceful movements -- often emphasizing her beautiful hands. Certainly worth watching!

"Rising Star" dancer Sasheen

Sasheen is another dancer in her group (of students who've just been studying for two years) who has rapidly evolved her dance ability. Sasheen's style tends towards the archetypal -- the mysterious, something other-worldly or very old within our world.

Sasheen loves both sword dancing and fire dancing -- this performance will herald a new sword dance from her; one very different from her first one in both tempo and style.

Sasheen was the first of her group to perform; she and dance friend Elizabeth (a modern dancer) put together a show in this very same place over a year ago -- we were impressed then, and anticipate a much more exciting work now!

"Rising Star" dancer Sitara

Sitara -- who has been with me for just over two years -- personifies the kind of "rising star" dancer that we see here. Through her own hard work and dedication (much more than my brilliant coaching), she has developed a lovely and personal interpretation of classic Danse Orientale in the Egyptian cabaret style.

This year, she is refining a previous work -- adding extra dimensions and polish.

Those of you who saw Sitara perform just last May will get a treat to see how her dance has evolved so rapidly within such a short time. I'm particularly thrilled with how she has gained an ability to hold audience attention, and use a variety of moods and techniques to add interest to her dance!