Spotlight Dancer/Troupe
Janine

From the land where Samba and Bossa Nova are king comes one of the bellydance world’s best kept, yet extraordinary, secrets. JANINE!

A native of Rio De Janeiro, Janine learned to dance at an early age in the culturally rich and diverse atmosphere of the city that is Brazil’s shining star and a resort destination for the world’s elite seeking to experience “carnival,” one of the wonders of the modern age. After all, Brazil is dance and every Brazilian is a performer. Janine is no exception, though she is exceptional. Little known, however, is the fact that amidst the white sand beaches of Ipanema and below majestic Sugar Loaf Mountain also thrives a familiar form of dance; Bellydance. While overshadowed by traditional Brazilian dance forms, bellydance nonetheless has found a home in the hearts of “Cariocas” like Janine, as well as all Brazilians, and has even been featured in popular television shows and pop music productions. As a result, Brazil has produced some of the art’s most inspiring and talented dancers of our time, uniquely Brazilian of course.

When one speaks of Brazilian bellydance, they speak of the great Lulu Sabongi. Famous for her memorable performance at the International dance Festival in Egypt and her Brazilian televised performance in conjunction with the Association of Egyptian Culture, Lulu Sabongi is one of the world’s most renown coaches and instructors having sold literally thousands upon thousands of instructional videos for the serious dancer and employing several master instructors in her service. It was within this network of Lulu Sabongi that Janine learned not only the “dance” but also the “art” of bellydance.

In 1998, Janine married and immigrated to the United States where she continued to receive instruction from some of the greatest bellydancers of our time, the least of which was not the timeless Dahlena, about whom no introduction is needed, except to say that she is amongst the greatest ever. With Dahlena, fundamentals and traditional form were key. A master of technique, Dahlena brought Janine’s dance to a whole new level and initiated an appreciation for excellence that continues to this day.

In 2002, Janine and her husband relocated to Phoenix where Janine quickly embraced the opportunity to study under another of bellydance’s greatest performers; Helena Vlahos. A mainstay of Arizona’s bellydance community, few compare to the grace and majesty of this superstar who continues to wow audiences during her regular performances in Scottsdale. Helena Vlahos instilled in Janine the ideal of the “classy performer.”

Superimposed upon such outstanding schooling is periodic instruction Janine received from well known performers such as Delilah, Suhaila, Yasmina, Ansuya, Aziza, Jillina and many others. Janine’s fusion of Brazilian energy and American athleticism with a mixture of traditional formats has resulted in a style all her own. Sanura describe Janine this way:

“If you ever want to see poetry in motion, you need to experience Janine. The first time I watched her dance, my breath actually caught in my throat.”

Janine’s public performances are rare, as she prefers the intimacy of her studio at her home in Fountain Hills where she offers private instruction to all interested, whether just for fun or to further a more serious venture.

Janine’s greatest triumph was her 2002 performance in open competition with other dance forms, i.e. ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, etc., where she came up against very accomplished and collegiate trained artists. While few bellydancers venture into such open competitions, Janine was intent on demonstrating that bellydancers deserve their rightful place in the world of dance and that bellydancers are truly “artists.” Hoping to make an impression that would encourage other bellydancers to test their art by simply competing well, Janine shocked the audience with an electrifying performance that vaulted her to “champion.”

Janine’s last public performance was an impromptu  accompaniment of a University of New Mexico Professor of the Eastern Clarinet’s rendition of “Habibi” at one of Santa Fe’s infamous Jazz Clubs which brought down the packed house.

Perhaps if you are patient, and find yourself at the right place and at the right time, you too will experience the one-of-a-kind dance of Janine. 

In the meantime, Janine is available for private instruction for all interested and can be contacted at janinedance@cox.net. Additionally, Janine, also a graphic artist, continues to provide artistic and marketing support services to dancers in the United States and Brazil and has design logos and other products for many different dance forms and performers. Please visit her website at www.janinesartofliving.com or contact her at artofliving@cox.net.

Live the dance!

To contact Janine:
email: janinedance@cox.net
website: www.janinesartofliving.com

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