Bellyography

Michelle is a beautiful and articulateperson, and she transfers that qualityinto her solo performances. She hasa subtle and lovely dance persona,which seems effortless. With anextensive background in theatre, herperformances are rich in expressionand articulation. Lately, Michelle canoften be seen performing with herhusband, Michael, who has becomean accomplished drummer.

Michelle moved to Utah when shewas ten, and studied modern andballroom dancing in high school. Herprimary focus in college was actingand movement. She did, however,see a belly dance performance whenshe was 14, and she never forgot it.

"I loved the costumes and themusic," Michelle explained, "Thewomen dancing blew me away. Theywere so elegant––graceful toucheson soft parts of feminine nature.The costumes were so sparkly andflowing—so feminine."

Several years later, after watchingStephanie dance, Michelle becametotally inspired by belly dancingonce again. She has studied withStephanie for four years and hasbeen a member of Troupe Alima fortwo years.

"I like Egyptian cabaret so much, butI don’t want to do just the traditionaland classic choreography. I like toadd elements from my own dancebackground," Michelle said, "Ilove fusion. I love what Indigo isdoing—dark cabaret that is reallymore theatre. It truly speaks to me.But, Egyptian cabaret is closest tomy personality. I just like to throwother things into the mix."

One of the things Michelle hasthrown into her own performing mix,is the collaboration with her husband,Michael. Michelle and Michael’sdrum solo performance was one ofthe highlights of Stephanie’s studentrecital last year. Michelle’s dancingmay be elegant, but the energybetween she and her husbandwas palpable. They rocked! Lastsummer, Michelle and Michaelperformed together at Raqs L.A.,an event sponsored by Belly DanceSuper Stars.

"A couple of years ago," Michelleexplained, "Michael got the drumbug and started taking classes.Stephanie’s student recital a yearago was the first time we had everperformed together."

Michelle is serving as Treasurer ofMECDA for Utah this year. Opendances at Cedars of Lebanon, MardiGras at The Parthenon in Februaryare scheduled and workshops arebeing formulated. Michelle and theother MECDA officers have beenworking hard to provide opportunitiesfor Utah dancers to perform.

"Utah belly dancers are buildinga great community. We are veryfortunate to have the dancers andteachers that we have. Dancers inother cities don’t have access tovenues, workshops and classes likewe do. I feel very lucky to train withfirst class teachers here, and also tohave opportunities to take workshopsfrom nationally acclaimed dancers.I want to be the best dancer I canpossibly be."

Michelle will be performing atMECDA’s Mardi Gras in February andBelly Dance Spring Fest in March.

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