Mountain Mirage/Bios

held off my depression for a while, my years of depression. However, it was too late to change my major.
        What could I hope for, once I graduated newly married to the bumble-footed love-of-my-life, but broke and jobless? I first checked out the classes at the Wilson School of Dance, but the cost was prohibitive. Determined to find a dance class I could afford, I finally found an ad for Belly Dancing through the "Open Doors" program through the Albemarle Parks and Rec Department in 1991. I had no idea what Belly Dance was; I just saw the term "dance" and signed up for a month of classes. I could afford that.
        Little did I know. My teacher, Kawakib (www.kawakib.com), must have been extremely tolerant, since I see now that I never danced in step with other troupe members on our old recital videos. My dancing must have been bad, very bad.   But I stuck like glue, attending every class until she moved in 1998.   She had developed approximately a dozen Prism Dancers, but when she left the group fell apart. There were no other teachers in Charlottesville at the time.
        After a year, I couldn't stand the loneliness any more. I started teaching beginners to Belly Dance through "Open Doors" in order to continue the tradition. My students usually showed up without prior dance or exercise training, sometimes towing little children along, sometimes absent due to prior commitments. The Program is only offered in spring and fall when school is in session, and I lost almost all my students during every intermission. I tried to start classes at Berkmar Ballroom and at the Attic. I found that students were not willing to switch to a new studio at a higher price in order to keep dancing.
        Then I discovered another Egyptian Belly Dance instructor had arranged classes at the local Athletic club, ACAC. I, Lou, Liz, and Jennifer promptly converted into her students, and I quit teaching. Recently, I did try teaching again for some elementary students at Saint Anne's Belfield, and I hope they got as much joy out of it as I did.

kind of like medieval re-enactment, and had heard a little through that group about middle eastern dance. I found out that there were classes here in town and immediately signed up. Kreela taught the classes at the high school, and we had so much fun. I just kept re-signing up and taking them over and over. By the time we had our first recital I was hooked The one true thing I know now is that if I am nothing else in this life, I will be a bellydancer (even if it kills me trying... LOL). I started attending workshops, and also learning the dance through the SCA at Pennsic. I now am hooked on learning folkloric styles of dance, and really like the Persian classical style. I love learning the history of the people who started the dance, the people who do it, and the people who watch it. I started taking classes at ACAC with Alexandra Bourque Snyder (Leila) and feel like that really improved my dancing immensely. Like I went from beginner to intermediate/advance beginner... Now I take classes with Joy Rayman, in American Tribal Style, and am taking a short workshop with Amalia Habibi in Egyptian Cabaret style I danced with Belly Souk (www.bellysouk.com) in the big show this May, and hope that next time, Mountain Mirage might have our own slot in the next show. On a personal note, dance has given me a strength and positive self image that can never be taken away. I see the beauty in every dancer, and in every dance, even in me. Dance is cathartic for me, it's my drug, my vice, my hobby, my hearts desire. When everything is going wrong and the whole world seems off its track, give me a drumbeat and a jingly belt and I'm off in my own space, where everything is right, and everything is good. Lost in the rhythm is where I belong...

more years. Tap was my love, but I took ballet also. I was never a formal type of dancer so even at such a young age I knew that I would never be a ballerina. Most of all, I wanted to be a "background" dancer!
I would watch the Tom Jones' variety show on TV and pretend I was one of the dancers behind him… doing certain moves to go along with the words of the songs. The same thing would happen to Buck Owens music, Loretta Lynn songs, etc. (My Mom must have been the only country music fan in the whole state of NJ!) I remember my siblings and I putting on shows in the big bay window of our living room. Also, The neighborhood kids would put together "variety" shows for the adults…. I remember clothes lines held the blankets that were used for our opening curtains.
        I was 9 years old when we moved to Virginia. Mom found a well respected dance studio for me to take lessons from, but I felt very much like an outsider. I just did not fit into the ballet classes at all. After several years, I got to the stage that I should move up to pointe, but my heart wasn't in it so I stopped ballet entirely. I continued with tap until I became a teenager, but quit once I got to high school. I just didn't love it anymore.
        So for years I went without any kind of training. I knew I was a decent dancer, but other teenage distractions took over….boys, boys and then one particular boy… Anyway, I digress… Once I got married, I went into the fitness field. I taught aerobics and was a trainer at gyms for many years. I started getting too many injuries so I stopped that and became a travel agent. I bought a travel agency with a partner…and that was my life for about 14 years. I sat on my bum, was highly stressed and got pudgy.
        I did attempt to go back to dance. I took tap and jazz classes from The Dance Studio here in Charlottesville. The teachers were very good, and I enjoyed it, but by then most of the other students were at least 10-15 years younger then me. It felt very weird so I stopped after a couple of years.
        I also tried African dance with Donna Graham. Now, that was definitely not too conforming for me! I thoroughly enjoyed this, but the travel agency just took over my life, and it was too hard to continue.
        My partner and I finally sold our agency in 1999, and it was about then that I discovered belly dance. In a desperate attempt to de-stress, I had been taking yoga classes from the Community Open Doors recreation center here in Charlottesville. But that year, instead of taking yoga, I decided it was time to change everything. I signed up for belly dance. What could be more different?!
        My teacher was Kreela Moore. She was a very slim, delicate wisp of a girl who could dance up a storm! There were students of all ages and sizes so I felt very at home. She was very good at explaining steps, formations and choreographies. I loved it. In class, I met another beginner, Jennifer Jackson. Soon Jennifer, I and her Aunt Carol would start looking for each other in class.
        After a couple of years, a friend of Kreela's, Lou Dawson, started dropping into class. We all started staying late to practice more advanced moves. We became close and started attending belly dance workshops together. It was at that time, that we decided to form a troupe. It was Jennifer who came up with the name of Mountain Mirage.
        We all heard about another belly dance teacher teaching at a workout gym, Alex Bourque (Leila). We all decided to try her class. Wow! Alex is a born teacher. She is dedicated to belly dance as an art form. Her classes are tough and after the first day, I could hardly move. Kirsten Fendig was already in her class and after a while we convinced Kirsten to start dancing with us. (She has one of the most beautiful, sharp hip snaps anywhere!) Anyway, we all joined Alex's class, and I feel that we have all improved immeasurably. We also have occasionally danced as part of her troupe, Belly Souk.
        Alex recently took a break to have an adorable baby boy. During that time, we had several substitutes. Alex picked some good ones!!! On Mondays we pretty much had a 4 month tribal workshop with Joy Rayman. She is an exquisite dancer and choreographer. Jennifer had been taking some independent classes with Joy and had told us about her, but I had no idea how different tribal really was.
        On Wednesdays our 'short course' was with Amalia Habibi. She is a beautiful, graceful dancer and taught us a kick-butt drum solo originally choreographed by Cassandra. I thoroughly enjoyed both classes, and was honored to have had the opportunity to learn from each of them.
        Belly dance has become a part of me, and when I dance, my soul flies. So now, I feel like I've finally found my dance home. I can't believe it took me so long!

        I became interested in belly dance several years ago when I took some classes with Kreela Moore; she also has a bio on this website. I came in with no dance experience at all and not a lot of awareness of belly dance as art in the media, locally or nationally. I just saw the ad and signed up. I had no idea what to expect. The movements were totally foreign to me but I was intrigued. Kreela's class was a great introduction to belly dance for me and I signed up for the next session. When her classes ended I didn't dance for a while. Then I saw that it was offered at several other local dance studios. I took classes here and there but nothing consistent. One year ago I heard that a local health club was offering classes. I signed up, got a membership, and found a wonderful thing. I met up with Kreela again as well as some of the other dancers from her classes. These girls had been dancing together as Mountain Mirage; performing at local events and at belly dance workshops.
        The instructor, Alex (Leila) has been amazing. In one year I've learned an enormous amount and developed much respect for her. I have danced with her troupe, Belly Souk, and have lately been invited to join Mountain Mirage. That is a high compliment to me and I'm looking forward to dancing with them.
        Belly dance has become a major motivating factor for me. My husband has been very tolerant of my increasingly dance-oriented schedule. He has never complained and I am grateful for his understanding. Being a part of the dance community here in Central Virginia has added a new dimension to my life. I can't imagine what else I'd rather be doing.

had no technical training. It is important to know you need no prior dance training before you can start.
        I started my search for fitness in 1971, at the first health club Charlottesville ever had. It was located behind the Morton Building. They had no showers. The next one was on the backside of Ivy Square. After that, there was the Holiday Health club which had a pool. They had alternating days for men and women. Every teacher teaches me so much. It is always a learning experience. This site can link you to different teachers.
        There are different dance styles to consider. My basic style is cabaret. However, because of the Troupe's influence, I have been playing around with Tribal as well. I went to the very first Richmond Va. belly dancing workshop that was ever held, and I still continue to attend workshops.
        I have always enjoyed making my own costumes. I now have the opportunity to help the other troupe members as well. (Insert from Liz: And we are truly blessed that Lou is willing to share her talents with us!)
        I dance in two troupes, but Mountain Mirage is special because of our friendship connection. Kreela and I began our friendship while attending classes with Anthea (of whom we will always be in awe). We will always be thankful for Anthea's love and patience.
        Kreela and I have known each other since the mid 90's. I was respectful of her dancing style early on in class. Her ability to choreograph greatly helped Mounain Mirage put together our first veil routine. We were invited to perform that routine at the Women of Selket Morocco workshop in November of 2004. All of us contribute to each number we perform.
        When I started taking Kreela's beginner classes, not only did I have fun learning new things, but I also met two of her very enthusiastic students. They turned out to be our troupe members, Jennifer and Liz.
        I have never thought that the oldest can't learn from the youngest. And with Mountain Mirage that is exactly the case. We all learn from each other, and our friendships have blossomed from this belief.