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Join: Dec 8, 2007

Name: maryadance

Gender: Female

Hometown: The Boogie Down Bronx, NY

Location: Floral Park, NY, US

Videos Watched: 574

Subscribers: 17

Channel Views: 752

Movies: What are those?

Music: Djinn, Pentaphobe, Amon Tobin, Oojami, Turbo Tabla, anything instrumental

Hobbies: bellydancing, instrumental music, foreign food, fusion cuisine, PURE, doumbek/darbuka, Bellyqueen

Ever since I was two years old, I knew I wanted to be a dancer. My parents were a lively couple and never missed an opportunity to party. So, for the last 28 years (and counting!) I've seemed to pick up where they've left off. With that much time under my sparkly belt, it's no surprise that I've had the good fortune to meet some truly inspirational people who continue to give me the motivation to continue doing what I love. After much arm twisting (just kidding!), it's nice to stay connected with my friends and mentors both local and international. I'm no stranger to some of you and I thank you all for your kindness. To those who don't already know me, there is always room for one more friend. I've welcomed every opportunity for friendship since the world is so small, you never know who you're going to end up working with sooner or later. I've been studying exclusively with Kaeshi Chai for the last two years and thankfully she has had the patience to be my mentor. Although I didn't have much stage experience at the time, I had chosen to study with Bellyqueen because I knew they were the only dance company that would embrace and incorporate my embarassingly large vocabulary ranging from Afro-Caribbean to Polynesian. I have a profound distaste of ballet because its structure does not conform to the mechanics of the human body. Dancers with balletic training all move the same way so with that thought in mind I rewrote the rules and chose to express my individuality through broad muscular movement blended with bits and pieces borrowed from other "unconventional" disciplines such as popping/locking, liquid, and hydraulics. My dance style continues to evolve, yet at its core is still an energy that thrives on expression.

Videos (15)

Improvisation: Drum Solo (with Djinn)

  • Length: 5:16
  • Rating Average: 5.00 from 2 people
  • View Count: 130' favoriteCount='1
  • Author: maryadance

Tags: belly  dance  Djinn  drum  improvisation  Je'Bon  live  Marya  performance  solo 

This is the continuation of the "Fire Dance" video. The entire piece, both music and dance, have been improvised. Musical selection for closing credits is "Jimmy Hafla" from Djinn's album, "The Middle East Side".

Performance: Fire Dance (LIVE)

  • Length: 6:36
  • Rating Average: 5.00 from 1 people
  • View Count: 69' favoriteCount='1
  • Author: maryadance

Tags: bellydance  Djinn  fire  Je'Bon  Marya  performance 

This is a live performance of "Fire Dance". It's partially choreographed with partial improvisation. The tempo is a Turkish 9/8 Karşilama and to further complicate things, I've put my Saroyan Tinker Zills to good use. :)

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PURE Cookie: Willow Into Mesopotamian Combo

  • Length: 1:8
  • Rating Average: n/a
  • View Count: 101
  • Author: maryadance

Tags: combo  cookie  mesopotamian  pure  training  willow 

Notes for rehearsal from 19 May, 2008: First Half: The Willow -Lines crossing with L-Arms (3 full times, forming single line on 4th) -Prayer Hands "grow", arms form "branches" -Swaying in the breeze (8 counts each side) TRANSITION: -3/4 Flamenco turn followed by Nile Hands from sky to ground ...

Favorites (21)

Bellyqueen & Djinn: Spring Caravan 2008

  • Length: 3:49
  • Rating Average: 4.86 from 7 people
  • View Count: 502' favoriteCount='9
  • Author: amyraks

Tags: akulenko  belly  bellydance  bellyqueen  caravan  djinn  fusion  gypsy  irina  kaeshi  popping  rakkasah  spring 

Bellyqueen performs with Djinn at Spring Caravan, June 2008 Somerset, NJ www.bellyqueen.com www.djinnnyc.com

Shakira "Hips Don't Lie" Fan Version

  • Length: 3:36
  • Rating Average: 4.95 from 19 people
  • View Count: 5256' favoriteCount='81
  • Author: burritosnob

Tags: "Hips  Don't  Fan  Lie"  Shakira  Version 

Shakira "Hips Don't Lie" Fan Version (who's that guy with the trumpet?)

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Tribal Fusion: Brooklyn Baladi

  • Length: 3:31
  • Rating Average: 3.00 from 4 people
  • View Count: 974' favoriteCount='5
  • Author: maryadance

Tags: baladi  belly  Bellyqueen  Brooklyn  dance  Djinn  fusion  Kaeshi  Marya  Tribal 

This piece was originally choreographed by Bellyqueen's own, Kaeshi Chai. It's still fresh in my memory after learning it February 2007. The musical selection is "Brooklyn Baladi" by Djinn from their album "The Middle East Side".