Bios

Farfesha Belly Dance was founded in 1994 when Michelle offered a free belly dance workshop to her friends. The month-long workshop grew into a weekly class which progressed into a series of troupe choreographies. When we met Egyptian music historian George Sawa, he named us Farfesha, or "Joyous Laughter" because of the delight we take in our dance and the fun we have at each meeting. We have since developed this Joyous Laughter into "The Fesh." "Fesh" is that on-stage exuberant attitude and off-stage group camaraderie. If our audience doesn't have fun, what's the point in performing? If we don't have fun, what's the point in dancing? We have performed at huge venues and small, professional shows and amateur fund raisers. The common denominator in all our shows is to reach our audience and share our love of this dance with them.

Farfesha founding director Michelle has been instructing Belly Dance since 1993 and dancing for much longer. She is a popular workshop instructor, and regular teacher at the annual "Amaya's Oriental Potpourri." In addition to her work with the troupe, Michelle has performed her signature Raks Sharqi style Egyptian dance all over the southwest from venues as intimate as small weddings in Corrales, New Mexico to thousand-seat convention centers in Dallas, Texas. Her dance and choreographic style is not limited to classical Oriental dance, however. Michelle has mastered tribal style belly dance, fusion belly dance, sword, veil, zill, cane, Egyptian folkloric dance, and has recently added the Bhangra dances of North India to her repetoire.

She has produced two instructional videos (Joyous Laughter Volume I: Belly Dance Basics with Michelle and Volume II: Intermediate Belly Dance with Michelle), both of which have received rave reviews from critics, students, and fellow teachers alike.

Michelle is the owner of Farfesha Studios where she teaches Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Egyptian style Belly Dance, as well as American Tribal Style belly dance, Performance Polishing workshops, Stretch and Strengthen, Troupe Choreography and World Dance for Kids. Michelle is the producer of Farfesha Productions workshops and shows featuring distinguished teachers from all over the world.

Michelle's primary focus in her teaching is to improve the self-esteem and confidence of her students, making each student feel comfortable in her own skin and helping her find and appreciate her own unique beauty. In performance, her main focus is connecting with the audience, sharing with them the delight, passion, and uplifting energy of Oriental Dance. Add a healthy dose of Joyous Laughter to each endeavor, and that's what Farfesha is all about!

Evon began her studies in Europe before moving to Albuquerque where she was one of the founding members of Farfesha. Evon excels in the folkloric style of dance, showing an especial talent for the cane. She also studies African dance and Bhangra.

We call her our Sultana because she has a style and grace we desperately seek to emulate! However, our smooth Evon has lately developed a taste for what we can only describe as Turkish House Music! She rocks!

Evon teaches Beginning Belly Dance and is an assistant teacher in American Tribal and Intermediate Belly Dance at Farfesha Studios. For these reasons, Evon is Assistant Director of Farfesha Studios.

Kat always pretends she can't perfect the fast and sharp moves. We think that's just to make us feel better because her slow and sensuous moves flow like the Nile .

Kat is a blast in class-students leave with feet sore from dancing and faces sore from laughing! She is one of the most encouraging teachers you could find.

Kat teaches Intro to Belly Dance and Beginning Belly Dance at Farfesha Studios.

Debi is ridiculously closed-mouth about her accomplishments as a dancer. Though she will insist she can't dance solo, she improvises drum solos to our troupe drummer like a pro!

She is a perfectionist when it comes to learning new choreography and she has an amazing smile (not to mention great legs!).

Debi teaches Beginning American Tribal Style Belly Dance and Troupe Choreography class at Farfesha Studios.

Ashley is one of those rare Belly Dancers who has never had an awkward movement in her life (but we like her anyway!). This probably stems from her years as a gymnast which helped her develop amazing control, a graceful posture, and an unerring sense of balance. Ashley loves choreography and she can come up with dances anywhere she hears music--her car is her favorite studio! Ashley teaches Beginning Belly Dance at Farfesha Studios.

Sherilyn joined Farfesha in July of 2007. She is an amazingly graceful dancer and a cool, crazy woman to boot. She an at Farfesha studios and a dancer at several local restaurants. In addition she is am amazing artists and recently designed a dress for the troupe which was produced in Egypt!

Karen is the newest member of Farfesha, though she has been a student at the studio and member of the Farfesha Apprentice troupe. Her joi de vivre and unwavering friendship are matched by her dynamic smile. She is a great writer and has been published in many dance trade magazines. She also is super-organized and a co-producer of our workshops.

Farfesha Belly Dance © 2004