Bio ~ Shayna

Shayna was introduced to the world of Belly Dance in 1987, during her husband's courtship of her prior to their marriage where he frequently took her to his cultural celebrations, including Persian concerts and parties. So mesmerized with the dancers during these occasions was she that she set her mind in 1994 to learn how to dance the way she saw the women perform, and in no time was taking weekly classes from a local dance teacher as well as periodic workshops from well-known dance instructors from around the world.

The Alameda County Fair in California saw Shayna's first performance in 1995, followed by Student Nights at Zorba's in San Jose. Soon after, Shayna expanded her dance repertoire by performing for the many dance festivals including Rakkasah and the Desert Dance Festival . She continued to dance at other events, which included Pizza Raks, the Alameda County Fair, numerous open stage haflas, weddings, and private parties.

In 2002, Shayna was a personal guest of Adriana Lira , a well-known dancer and instructor in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where at her invitation she entertained audiences with her superb Egyptian-style dance performances at the festival there produced by Hayet El Helwa (www.luxordancedoventre.com.br). Her dance performance so thrilled the many dancers in Brazil that she was asked to return in 2004 to perform for Adriana Lira's 2nd annual festival, soon to come out on DVD. She is looking forward to her return trip in 2006.

Not just a vision of Egyptian dance excellence, Shayna has also embraced the world of costume-making and has designed and constructed costumes for her and for others as well as altering and re-designing Egyptian-made costumes to put her own personal flair on them. Shayna often peruses second-hand stores and enhances evening dresses to fit the look of belly dance costuming.

Shayna continues to travel and perform throughout the State of California and abroad. Aside from her continuous performances in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, Shayna has been seen performing at a contest event sponsored by Little Egypt in Texas called "Queen of Raks Sharki."

Belly dance has brought Shayna into a whole new world, with new friends, new expressions, and new opportunities. In her quest to emulate her favorite Egyptian dancers; namely, Fifi Abdo, Soraya Zaied, Dina, Samia Gamal, Katie, Taheya Karioka, Na'eema Akef, and others, and after three years of intense Egyptian style belly dance study with Sausan at the Sausan Academy of Egyptian Dance , she was appointed Assistant Director to the academy for her dedication and commitment to the Egyptian style belly dance, and is teaching her passion in her area.

The love Shayna has of the dance will never stop. Her deep understanding of the dance coupled with ability to demonstrate that through her performances and costume designs, makes her a true proponent of this dance form. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge of the dance as well as her personal experiences to her students and audiences alike in all of her future ventures.

Contact Shayna at shayna@shaynaz.com