Born and raised in Southern Maryland, Jesenia notes her closest past dance experience as being involved with Poms in second grade! However, despite a lack of previous dance training, Jesenia has always loved to dance and has always desired to take some form of dance instruction.

Jesenia came across Middle Eastern dance when seeing a performance by Troupe ‘Hip’notic, and was immediately entranced! She began looking for local instructors and eventually came across Shahla Zahr and began taking classes. A quick learner, it wasn’t long before Shahla Zahr had invited Jesenia to attend a couple of activities with the troupe, which quickly lead to Jesenia attending regular troupe practices. Jesenia was definitely hooked! In December 2006, Jesenia became an official troupe member. Shortly after her induction, she had her debut performance with the troupe at Casablanca!

Classes: Shahla Zahr, Yucy El-Banan, Anon (ATS) and Karima

Workshops: Jesenia has attended workshops taught by Laurel Victoria Gray, Piper, Wendy Youssef, Yucy El-Banan, Zaza Hassan, Nadirah Nasreen, Belladonna & Mavi of ROMKA’, Asharah, Kami Liddle, & Mira Betz.

Click on the photo to go to Jesenia’s photo album.