Pazia, which translates to “sparkle, golden and shimmering” in the Hebrew language, grew up in Maryland, a very shy person. Pazia found expressing herself very difficult (except in her own style of dress) until she fell in love with belly dance. Her passion for belly dance began when she watched “I Dream of Genie” as a child. What struck her most in this TV program was an unknown ancient culture. In her teens, Pazia became a member of The International Order of Jobs Daughters and now holds the title of Past Honored Queen of her Bethel. As a young Christian lady, hearing the Bible story of Job and those ancient ways made a deep impression. The intrigue of ancient cultures remained with her all of her life, but was brought to the forefront when Disney released the movie “Aladdin”. Fantasies of distant and exotic lands kept swirling in her mind, and in 2000 she began her pilgrimage to seek out instruction. In the spring of 2001, she began classes with a novice instructor, which only served to whet her appetite for further information & instruction on belly dance.

Via internet searches, Pazia discovered WAMEDA’s list of local teachers. She then began taking classes under a Southern Maryland teachers’ tutelage for three years, quickly progressing from beginner to advanced student. Soon after, Pazia also began attending workshops through WAMEDA sponsored events. Like others around the world, Pazia also utilizes performance and instructional videos to add new material to her repertoire, and garners inspiration by regularly attending Middle Eastern dance shows in the Washington DC metropolitan area. It was attending these dance shows that actually helped her face her first public student recital in 2002. The night before her first performance, Pazia made her way to Casablanca (a restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia which showcases local belly dancers) where she was mesmerized by the dancers’ skills with veils, zills, swords, and riveting vibrations! Among all the dancers, Zahra Gamal was by far the most inspirational to Pazia that night…to this day Zahra still holds a special place in Pazia’s heart as one of her favorite dancers to watch.

Pazia feels that incorporation of veils and zills make for a complete performance! Pazia’s height gives her a whole different dance flavor and style, and she feels, and has been told, that her dance style is very natural and sultry. She has danced floorwork, sword, cane, candles, fans, basket, and daggers. Just like everything else in life, and in the art of belly dance…these stylings are a work in practice and progress. Pazia has most recently attended classes with Yucy El-Banan and enjoys her style and energy very much. Additionally, she hopes to learn more about the Saudi woman’s dance and Indian styles of dancing. Pazia’s daughter is growing up much differently than her, in that, she has already started her expressive talents in various styles of dance, though various classes and music, by way of piano classes. She is very outgoing. Her daughter is already exhibiting her own specialties in belly dance with her Egyptian arms, belly rolls, camels, shimmies, veil and fan dancing. She would like to express thanks to her family for all their continued support.

Current Instructors: Yousra (Yucy) El-Banan