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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
She is a bellydancer who puts her heart into every performance, and with good reason. Every shimmy. Every undulation. Her looks are mysterious, her fire for the art form is hotter than the Sun. Northern California has a precious jewel in its sights, and she shares the passions with everyone in 10 questions, only fitting since she'll celebrate a decade as a bellydancer in the Summer of 2003.
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1) Who were your 1st bellydance inspirations that led you to the art form? ''
The 1st bellydancer I ever saw was HYWADA of Lebanon, over 10 years ago. I still remember watching that video over and over again. So naturally, I was inspired by Lebanese dancers at first. I didn't know they were Lebanese at the time or that there were a difference between them and Egyptian dancers. I really like AMANI, too. But now, although I still love the energetic style of thses dancers, I've grown to appreciate the subtle, expressive qualities of Egyptian-style dancers.''
2) You are one of Sacramento's finest bellydancers, and is well-recognized throughout. What does that mean to you? ''
Honored, amazed, disbelief. I just love to dance and for it to be appreciated means a lot to me. I never take it for granted and I feel so lucky to have steady dancing gigs.''
3) What are your favorite movements to perform when bellydancing in front of a live audience? '' Well, that I can do them, I love to do shimmies with a pelvic undulation. I can do them in a place or traveling across the stage, fast or slow, up or down. I like to be able to do moves that are so complex that it makes the audience applaud. Then, I know I've done spomething they probably haven't seen before.''
4) You won the 2001 Bellydancer of the Year Pageant. Looking back, what are your feelings on bellydance competitions? ''
Winning felt so good. I couldn;t believe it when they called my name. I finally bought the tape with the rest of the dancers (who were in the finals) on it and, let me tell you, they were good! So, it made my win even more gratifying because I was competing with such talented dancers. I plan on entering another contest this year and win or not, I'm looking forward to the whole experience. Not winning would only make me strive harder to be a better dancer.''
5) What do you want your students to take from your teachings in your classes? ''
Besides being able to dance, I want them to understand the history and culture of bellydance. To appreciate and interpret Middle Eastern music through belly dance. I was never taught how to dance to the music. I was only shown dance moves. It took me years and years of studying other dancers and listening to Arabic music everyday before I began to be able to interpret the music in a less frantic way. I want my students to be able to do more than just shimmy when the music gets fast!''
6) You're well-known for having a ''fiery'' attitude when talking about bellydance in general. Explain why?
''Uh-oh, well...I'll have to hold my tongue a bit here. Hereare a couple of reasons. For one, my love for this dance. It has brought me solace and has given me the opportunity to feel like I'm worth something, that I'm beautiful. It has given me the self-confidence that I once lacked. I get irritated with ignorant people who think bellydance is stripping. Come on!! I have had to educate so many people and it gets so frustrating. Secondly, my pet peeve is women who've taken a few lessons then call themselves bellydancers and start performing. Bellydance is a dance form that takes years and years to ''master'' and even the people who are great at it never stop learning. I would never take a few ballet classes then call myself a ballerina. The same goes for bellydancing. I think there is a lack of respect and understanding of how complicated and diverse this dance form is. There is so much more to it than just wearing a costume and making the fringe fly.''
7) What would be the ultimate destination internationally you'd want to perform and why?
'' Well, I used to think Egypt of course, until I read everything it takes to be a dancer there. No thank you!! I would rather go watch dancers then perform. Then of course there is Turkey, but I don;t know enough about how things are there for dancers. So, I guess it would have to be a snazzy club in L.A. or N.Y. where the clientele are Arabic and they appreciate bellydancers and tip them with showers of money, not shoved in the belt. But honestly, I feel so comfortable, with where I dance now that anywhere is seems intimidating. But, I've always loved to travel so if I was ever invited to dance somewhere outside of the U.S., I'm sure it would be an amazing experience wherever it would be.''
8) How do you see the status of bellydance a few years down the road?
'' I would like to not see it advertised on TV. I think bellydance is getting too commercial and too many dancers are trying to make money at it. Not that there is anything wrong with making a living through bellydance, but I just don;t care for how generalized it has become. Once it loses its exotic mysteriousness, you can never get that back, and that is one of the things that I loved about it. I don't want it to be seen as an exercise. I want it to be always seen as an art form, not a way to 'tone your thighs and butt'. It makes it sound so American!''
9) What advice do you give bellydancers who inspire to make a successful profession out of the art form?
'' I do it as a hobby professionally, so that is my only advice I can give. I don;t make a living at it and never will. I don't want to. I have other interests and hobbies, plus my degree I'm working on. I consider it my expensive, passionalte hobby. Anyone who wants to dance professionally has to take it upon themselves to be the best at it that they can be. Never stop learning and growing. Always buy new music and videos, attend workshops and events. But all of that can;t teach you to be a great performer. Being able to connect with your audience is so important! You can;t just get out there and dance, you have to dance for them and for yourself. Don;t just move to the music, FEEL the music, BE the music. Make sure that you are really ready to dance and that you're not just doing it to make some money or because your teacher wants to make money by hiring you out.''
10) The day will come when you will perform for the final time. As you walk off the stage, how do you want to be remembered by those who have seen you?
'' This day may come sooner than I want it to because of my heart condition. I have a congenital heart defect and was told I wouldn;t be able to be very active. My heart doctor has come to see me dance and told me he is amazed at my energy! I want to be remembered as someone who appreciated and understood this dance and was a great teacher and a good dancer. I want to be an inspiration to other dancers, especially to those who don't think they can dance because of a disablility.''
http://www.zaheea.com
Q U I C K P I C K S
UPDATED: AUGUST 10, 2009.
* She has earned the nickname of ''Princess Z'' because of her ''royal'' presence on the dance stage.
* She is STILL working on her 1st performance video, hoping for a February 2004 release.
* She has been the featured bellydancer at MARRAKESH RESTAURANT in Sacramento since 1993.
* She is the chosen bellydancer on the cover of 5 bellydance CD's.
* She's finishing her degree in Anthropology, with plans to pursue a Master's degree.
* She excels in Classical Egyptian, Lebanese and Fusion-style.
* Has one of the most electric drum solos of anyone today.
*She's a huge fan of Amani of Lebanon.
*She has changed her name to Zaheea Anan.
*Has been featured on Hollywood Music Center & Cheeky Girls Productions (Michelle Joyce) DVDs.
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