Spotlight Dancer/Troupe
Aaliyah

Aaliyah (Ann-Marie) has performed as a solo artist at local restaurants and with her troupe Bellylicious at various venues. Aaliyah discovered her first beginners belly dance class only 4 years ago after both a work accident and car accident had left her with a back injury. At first one lesson was followed by a week long recovery; but her love of dancing and music pushed her through the pain and eventually Aaliyah's back grew stronger and stronger. With a history of other forms of dance Aaliyah found it easy to recall choreographies and to learn the movements. 

Two years ago Aaliyah was asked by a small troupe of professional dancers to perform with them at a restaurant and jumped at the chance. Aaliyah loved the interaction with the customers coupled with the excitement of performing in restaurants; the costumes and music and sharing the evening with the other dancers. At this time Aaliyah was also asked by Adult Education to teach Middle Eastern Drumming; which took off and led to further private classes and ongoing performances. Aaliyah was asked by a couple of other drummers to form a group and although the other drummers were very capable of teaching themselves they were unwilling to take the leadership role and passed this onto Aaliyah. We became Khafif (Arabic musical term meaning: quick and lively) Middle Eastern Ensemble and now have 14 members; usually there are up to 4 or 5 available at any one occasion for a performance; however, at Hafla's we are in greater numbers. 

A year and a half ago Aaliyah was asked by a small dance studio to become a belly dance and later Middle Eastern Drum instructor; which became very successful. The ladies that began with her at that studio a year and a half ago are still with her and now perform as Bellylicious dance troupe and as of this year both ladies and gentlemen members have joined Khafif Middle Eastern drum ensemble. We have since had new members of both dancing and drumming join and find the fun and passion of music and dance. Aaliyah is very happy that she was brave enough to jump in and give teaching her best. Aaliyah's concern for making sure she was teaching her students correctly led her to do a lot of research and make sure she learnt from instructors in Tasmania, interstate and from instructors visiting from overseas.

Aaliayh now performs either solo or with her own dance troupe Bellylicious and/or Khafif ensemble. Her adult son Chris is often seen drumming at her performances. (Chris is in the photograph at Youth Week with his mother Aaliyah who was pregnant at the time with his baby sister).

In an effort to meet demands Aaliyah is now adding children's parties and ladies nights of fun entertainment to her reportoire. Aaliyah receives regular requests to perform in local restaurants, visiting ships, fares, art galleries, kinder, primary, high schools and colleges, special needs adults and children. And thoroughly enjoys all aspects of these wonderful opportunities; especially work with children and teenagers. 

Aaliyah works each year choreographing and teaching a dance for a group of women with various physical and or intellectual disabilities; the challenge of overcoming the wide range of needs and coming up with something beautiful; choosing the music and choreographing to come up with a beautiful dance and message of stepping out of the ordinary and overcoming obstacles. These womens face light up and their confidence shines through. It is a wonderful experience to see the transformation. Aaliyah loves her job watching people of all ages have fun, laugh, gain confidence and feel beautiful.

Belly dancing has given Aaliyah her life back in other ways too after a back injury dating back to 2000; as she can now enjoy life to the fullest and has regained enough strength in her back to enjoy dancing 5 or 6 times per week. And has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl on 22 July 08; Alyssa Marie. A daughter after 3 sons aged 25, 17 and 12. Now she has a little girl to share her passion for dancing and music; and of course all of those beautiful costumes. She already has babies first costume. 

Information and contact details can be seen at www.aussiebellydancers.com under the links for dance teachers, dancers and musicians.

To contact Aaliyah:
email: rakssharqi@bigpond.com
website: a work in progress

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