Gypsy Echoes

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~ Fusion Fest 2008 ~

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The members of the 'Gypsy Echoes' make up the student performance group of Cairo Fusion, specializing in group choreographies, bellydance technique and over-all entertainment.

The 'Gypsy Echoes' display a diverse range of styles from "traditional" through fusion, yet specialize in "keeping it real".

This is a large group of dancers, and always very exciting!

(Click on pictures to go to tribe profile)

Aiyah

(member since December 2007)

"I love expressing myself in many forms, my favorite is dancing. My dance history is Cheerleading for 5 years, but I am still pretty new to Belly Dancing, which is by far my favorite. I have been doing it for about 5 months now but recently join Cairo Fusion December 31st 2007 and loving every minute of it!"

Akasha

(member since October 2006)

She has been dancing various styles since age 2; however, once she found bellydance, she knew that was it - "this was me"! Akasha has been bellydancing for several years independently, but is now ecstatic to be a part of Cairo Fusion, and improve her skills and styles. She is also a musician and feels a deep connection to the music as well, and always tries to incorporate that into her dancing. Akasha is a complete joy to dance with, and brings bundles of smiles to both class time and performance!

Akili Alima

(member since February 2005, MAZANA 2007)

Akili is one of the original members of Cairo Fusion. She started taking ballet and tap dancing lessons when she was three-years old. In January 2005, her friend Hannah invited her to join her in trying out a belly dance class. Always being intrigued by belly dance, she agreed. Her friend ended up moving, but she was hooked. Belly dance is the fabulous combination of moving her body, costumes and jewelry. "Belly dance forever!!"

Araxie Nanshe

(member since October 2006)

Araxie Nanshe has had other dance experiences, ranging from ballet to tap, drill team to cheerleading. She was first intrigued by the world of belly dance when she first saw Cecilia dance to a Tool song in May '05----and she's been hooked ever since. Among Cecilia, Araxie Nanshe has been inspired by UNMATA, Cymma~Tribe, Samira Il Naia, Itheyla, Rachel Brice, and Uzume. While working on the documentary "Belly" with Full Tilt Boogie Productions, Araxie was given the opportunity to watch many beautiful dancers from around the country. Through these experiences, she has found her heart in the style of tribal fusion. Watching belly dance is a very emotional experience for Araxie, and she hopes she can give her audience the same spiritual connection that many other talented dancers have given to her. Araxie Nanshe's reason for dancing is always evolving, and has developed from being a rite of passage into womanhood, to promoting positive body image in women. For her future dance goals, she plans on dancing with Cairo Fusion for years to come, as well as venturing out on her own in experimental belly dance in duet form with the beautiful Rebecca.

"When someone blunders, we say that he makes a misstep. Is it then not clear that all the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill our history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill in dancing."

Moliere, 1622

Cathi

(member since December 2007)

"I was introduced to traditional belly dance through a good friend and became a 'belly groupie' attending all of the local belly dance events. After seeing Samira perform multiple times she inspired me to join. Although it had taken nearly 6 months to coordinate my schedule, I was finally able to join. I have experience in ballet, tap, jazz, salsa, and swing...I am very excited to be able to add fusion..."

Chantel

(member since July 2007)

Chantel has been dancing and choreographing since the age of 6. Though unable to take formal dance lessons as a child, she memorized and performed dance routines from various stage shows and music videos. In high school she co-founded a hip-hip/pop dance duo and performed around the Treasure Valley. At age 19, she joined a community education bellydance class taught by her first teacher and mentor, Zadora. After three years of casually taking classes, Chantel was invited to join Zadora's performance troupe, Saharan Odyssey, and continued performing with them for the next seven years. After seeing a tribal bellydance performance in 2005, Chantel felt like she had finally found her calling in dance, and joined up with Cairo Fusion in September 2007.

Dawn

(member since July 2006)

She began her journey with belly dance at a community education
class in Boise, ID, as part of a girls’ night out. She later attended a Hafla and enjoyed watching the dancers. She and a friend decided they wanted to take more classes. In January 2006, she started taking class through the Beli Danse Academie. In July 2006, she joined Cairo Fusion. She is excited to be part of our tribe.

Emine

(member since January 2008)

“Friendship is what makes the heart and soul dance. I will forever be grateful to my friend for this opportunity to learn, grow, and dance with her.”

Iridessa

(member since October 2006)

"I love all types of dancing in general! Belly dancing is my newest style that I have been introduced to and I have been doing it for a year. I really enjoy the energy of it. It's different, very goddess-like, which is new and refreshing."

Jamie

(member since October 2007)

Dance has always been a part of Jamie's life in various forms. Although her background consists mainly of ballet and modern dance, she is very excited to challenge herself with this new endeavor into the art of Belly Dancing.

Jana

(member since July 2005)

Jana is often the 'voice of reason' for Cairo Fusion. She offers endless amounts of support and esteem to her fellow sisters. Jana utilizes her dance and transforms from her day-life to an amazing goddess of intrigue while performing. She is a essential element to the mixture of Cairo fusion.

Jeanne

(member since January 2006, MAZANA, instructor)

"I love dancing in all forms; my husband and I do swing and ballroom dancing together. I have always loved belly dance for the freedom, femininity, control, and true expressiveness that comes with the art - and I adore the costumes! I am so lucky to have found Cairo Fusion - now I can experience dancing in a community of women that tease and love and laugh with each other, and are not catty towards each other - how refreshing!"

Kimberly

(member since July 2006)

She began dancing at a community education class in Boise, ID, as part of a girls’ night out. After attending a local Hafla and watching the dancers, she and a friend decided they wanted to take more classes. In January 2006, she started taking class through the Beli Danse Academie. In July 2006, she joined Cairo Fusion.

Kristen

(member since October 2006)

Mahsati

(member since January 2008)

"I have been a supporter and follower of Cairo Fusion from the beginning. Distance and circumstance prevented me from being anything other than an onlooker and admirer, until recently. Now, as a member of the Gypsy Echoes, I’m excited to be a part of something that has inspired me for years."

Megan

(member since October 2007)

Megan has been dancing since the age of 3 with training in ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop. She was interested in bellydance for awhile before coming across Cairo Fusion. She immediately fell in love with the group's style and is very excited to have the opportunity to dance and learn with such an amazing group of girls!

Saaj

(member since January 2007)

She has experienced many different forms of dance in her years (ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop). She has been raised around the bellydance circle thanks to her wonderful mother & mentor, Il Eyana of Nejwah's World Dance Troupe. In spring 2005, Saaj found her passion for dance in Nejwah's troupe along side her mother. Saaj has been inspired by Samira for years and feels great joy to finally dance together.

"I am just so happy to be graced by the wonderful girls in our group, never a dull moment. Dance yahoo!"

Za'Nyah

(member since January 2007, MAZANA)

Za'Nyah has taken dance since the age of 3, first with ballet and jazz and later adding tap, lyrical, hip hop, pointe, salsa, and musical theater. After achieving a BA in Theater Arts in 2004 from Central Washington University, Za'Nyah moved Boise, where she found and fell in love with belly dance. Beginning with traditional forms taught by Sidonia, Za'Nyah found her place in the fusion world with Samira and Cairo Fusion. In 2007 Za'Nyah joined Mazana, where the strength and focus of the classes and choreographies (along with the wonderful sisterhood therein) really lit her fire to continue to improve her technique and experiment with any and all styles of fusion.

Zelah

(member since January 2006, MAZANA)

As a lifelong admirer of dance and theater in all of its forms, Zelah brings to Cairo Fusion the drive for solid technique and creating an engaging presentation through assisting with costuming and the backstage aspects of each performance.

Honorary Performers:

Often Cairo Fusion is graced by the beauty of fellow dancers whom do not study under Cairo Fusion on a regular basis, and are not Gypsy Echoes, but hold a very important role in bellydance, and as sisters. Although independent or members of other dance groups, we feel it is important to honor their participation and effort offered to Cairo Fusion.

Hahna

(member since 2005, MAZANA 2006-2007)

As another one of Cairo Fusion’s original members, Hahna has a background in competitive cheerleading and dance. She feels it has helped her immensely with understanding and interpreting the music. Hahna has quickly become a well-known and highly requested dancer in the Boise bellydance scene. Hahna adds a very important energy of youth, vitality and dedication to our group. Her belly dance journey has been exclusively through Cairo Fusion.

Il Eyana

– As a member of Nejwah's World Dance Troupe in Boise, Cairo Fusion is, on occasion, graced by the graceful presence of ms. Il Eyana. She is the true embodiment of femininity and powerful essence. Il Eyana is a very important mentor and sister.

Nichole

Nichole is 'an American girl with an Egyptian spirit.' She never ceases to wow the audience, and remind the Arab community of home. She is full of energy and diversity. A certain pleasure to experience.

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