As a passionate and expressive dancer, Rahana lights up
the stage as the music flows through her swaying hips and
graceful arms. Rahana has been an entertainer for as long
as she can remember. Her dance career started at a very
young age with a touring musical theatre group that
performed for hundreds of audiences throughout
Southern California. Their performances ranged from
Broadway show tunes, tap, jazz, ballet, Polynesian, Tahitian,
vocals, and more. Although Rahana found an interest in all
forms of dance, she quickly became attracted to the more
cultural dances, embracing the movements of the hula. In
2001, Rahana's swaying hips began to include hip bumps
and shimmies. She remembers falling instantly in love with
this beautiful art form, as she was inspired by her first
instructional exposure to Belly Dance through the warm,
beautiful and talented Ansuya.
Rahana instantly committed to studying with some of the
finest dancers, as she traveled near and far to seek their
influences on her dance training. With each teacher she
encountered, was a deeper understanding of herself. As a
performer, she feels it is important to find your signature
moves that represent and express who you are. Some of
her most influential Instructors have been Dina (Egypt),
Mahmoud Reda (Egypt), Ansuya (FL), Jillina (CA), and
Tamra-henna (CA).
In 2002, Rahana gleamed with joy as a member of Ansuya's
group, Yaleil. One year later, Rahana became Director of
Troupe Bahiya, where she enjoys putting her choreography
skills to work. Bahiya is a Santa Monica based group that
performs for weddings and birthday parties. Rahana most
recently taught a workshop in Mexicali and has accepted
an invitation to return again next year. Let's not forget to
mention the apple of her eye, her talented Belly Dancing
daughter, Tigerlily. She is the proud mother of this 19 year
old San Diego State University attendee. Rahana shares
the meaningful bond that Belly Dance can create for
Mothers & Daughters, and encourages other mothers and
daughters to take classes together.
Rahana feels fortunate to have found more than one
exciting career in her life-time. Her back ground stems
from Event Coordination, to Dancer, to Boutique Owner.
She started her career at Cerritos College as one of the
Multicultural Event Coordinators and went on to work for
Merv Griffin Event Productions. When Rahana isn't
teaching, she's dedicated to her on-line Belly Dance
Boutique, Dancing Rahana, and her shop on the Venice
Beach Boardwalk, The Velvet Gypsy.
Rahana believes that the expression of passion is just as
important as the movement of the dance. She teaches that
people will feel what you feel on stage, and to give them a
piece of your soul, while feeding it to them through your
base, your technique.
Rahana is honored to be the featured teacher for July. She
teaches weekly classes in Santa Monica and holds
bi-monthly showcases to enable students to expose
themselves to the stage. Rahana believes that students
should be provided with the opportunity to perform, as it
inspires them to work towards a final project.
the stage as the music flows through her swaying hips and
graceful arms. Rahana has been an entertainer for as long
as she can remember. Her dance career started at a very
young age with a touring musical theatre group that
performed for hundreds of audiences throughout
Southern California. Their performances ranged from
Broadway show tunes, tap, jazz, ballet, Polynesian, Tahitian,
vocals, and more. Although Rahana found an interest in all
forms of dance, she quickly became attracted to the more
cultural dances, embracing the movements of the hula. In
2001, Rahana's swaying hips began to include hip bumps
and shimmies. She remembers falling instantly in love with
this beautiful art form, as she was inspired by her first
instructional exposure to Belly Dance through the warm,
beautiful and talented Ansuya.
Rahana instantly committed to studying with some of the
finest dancers, as she traveled near and far to seek their
influences on her dance training. With each teacher she
encountered, was a deeper understanding of herself. As a
performer, she feels it is important to find your signature
moves that represent and express who you are. Some of
her most influential Instructors have been Dina (Egypt),
Mahmoud Reda (Egypt), Ansuya (FL), Jillina (CA), and
Tamra-henna (CA).
In 2002, Rahana gleamed with joy as a member of Ansuya's
group, Yaleil. One year later, Rahana became Director of
Troupe Bahiya, where she enjoys putting her choreography
skills to work. Bahiya is a Santa Monica based group that
performs for weddings and birthday parties. Rahana most
recently taught a workshop in Mexicali and has accepted
an invitation to return again next year. Let's not forget to
mention the apple of her eye, her talented Belly Dancing
daughter, Tigerlily. She is the proud mother of this 19 year
old San Diego State University attendee. Rahana shares
the meaningful bond that Belly Dance can create for
Mothers & Daughters, and encourages other mothers and
daughters to take classes together.
Rahana feels fortunate to have found more than one
exciting career in her life-time. Her back ground stems
from Event Coordination, to Dancer, to Boutique Owner.
She started her career at Cerritos College as one of the
Multicultural Event Coordinators and went on to work for
Merv Griffin Event Productions. When Rahana isn't
teaching, she's dedicated to her on-line Belly Dance
Boutique, Dancing Rahana, and her shop on the Venice
Beach Boardwalk, The Velvet Gypsy.
Rahana believes that the expression of passion is just as
important as the movement of the dance. She teaches that
people will feel what you feel on stage, and to give them a
piece of your soul, while feeding it to them through your
base, your technique.
Rahana is honored to be the featured teacher for July. She
teaches weekly classes in Santa Monica and holds
bi-monthly showcases to enable students to expose
themselves to the stage. Rahana believes that students
should be provided with the opportunity to perform, as it
inspires them to work towards a final project.
| Comments or experiences to share about Rahana? Let us know! |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Quote: “Practice smiling and showing expression in class and in rehearsal. Make it a part of your routine so that it feels natural. You don't want your smile or your moves to come across as robotic. Don't just go through the motions, mean what you do! Feel the music!” --Rahana |
(c) Pixievisionproductions
Look for Rahana on
these DVDs,
available at
Rahana's Web Site.
these DVDs,
available at
Rahana's Web Site.
Workshop with Rahana: Egyptian Pop Sunday, July 13th Click for info |
