Coffee with Raksanna – A conversation with one of today’s rising stars

Coffee with Raksanna – A conversation with one of today’s rising stars | featured article in Zaghareet November 2008

 Over the past few years, your artistic career has really taken off. From being a featured instructor at this summer’s Ahlan Wa Salam sponsored by Raqia Hassan in Cairo, Egypt, to two time nomination for both Instructor of the Year and Favorite Cabaret Dancer of the Year by Zaghareet readers to teaching workshops and performing across the globe, there are many exciting things happening for you.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you began your journey as an Oriental Dance artist.

For my entire life, I have always loved music of all genres – from classical to rock to opera to country to Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond. My love for music and movement inspired me to get involved with teaching fitness classes such as Step Aerobics, Kick Boxing, Pilates and Yoga. As part of being a certified fitness instructor, it is required that a certain number of continuing credits are completed each year. To earn the credits, you can attend huge conferences and get a sample of the hottest fitness trends available.

Way back in 1994, I took “The Goddess Workout” with Dolphina of California as part of a conference experience. I thought, “Hey, I’m a Goddess! I better see what this is all about.” Dolphina taught an introduction to belly dance with basic movements, followed by a beautiful veil dance.

I instantly fell in love! Not only were the movements and the dance beautiful, but the music was so rich and mesmerizing – it was heaven.

The rest is history. I dedicated myself to learning as much as possible and taking my personal journey through this dance as far as possible.

My personal goal is to create beautiful dance choreography and to uplift our art through elegance, grace and authentic passion for the dance!

You were a featured instructor this summer at Ahlan Wa Salam in Cairo, Egypt. Tell me about the experience.

 Wow! What a fantastic opportunity. Raqia Hassan is the sponsor of this wonderful festival and she brings the best top talent from across the globe to provide a fun, high quality experience for Middle Eastern belly dancers.

When she made the invitation to me, it was truly a spectacular moment in my life. I was so honored to be included in the teacher line up along with names like Randa Kamel, Dr. Mo Geddawi and Jilliana from Belly Dance Super Stars.

 For my workshop, I taught an advanced choreography with cymbals (zills) to a fun folkloric song. The dancers enjoyed the challenge and it seemed like every one had a good time.  One of the best things about the workshop, other than the students who came, of course, was the tabla player. Raqia makes sure that all teachers have a tabla player assigned to their workshop. My tabla player’s name was Ahmed and he was FABULOUS. He would watch my hips and synchronize his drums to my every little movement. 

In addition to choreography, I taught several cymbals patterns to match various rhythms; for example, Saidi, Chiftiteli, Ayub and Maksoom. It was a lot of fun for Ahmed and the students to hear the rhythms and the cymbals played together – and even more enjoyable to dance at the same time!

I look forward to returning to the festival in the years to come and to continue sponsoring dance study tours so that others can travel with me to experience the excitement first-hand.

You performed in the Opening Teacher’s show at Ahlan Wa Salam. How was it?

 It was a wonderful dream come true to dance in the shadows of the Pyramids …The evening started out when I was asked for an interview with Al-Mehwar, an Egyptian television station. The reporter spent about 15 minutes with, interviewing me about the festival, how I felt being a teacher at the festival and also asked about Middle Eastern dance and its popularity and perception in the States.

During the show, I performed a double veil dance to a Natacha Atlas ballad.  When I looked out in the audience, it meant so much to me to see my students (who came to Egypt with me on the dance study tour) – I could hear Ida, Jane and Lindsay supporting me and cheering me on!

Jillina, one of my personal favorite dancers from the Belly Dance Superstars company, performed earlier in the night and she stayed to watch my performance. After I danced, changed and came out from back stage, she was waiting for me. She gave me a big hug and told me I had done a great job. It really meant a lot to me and I was thrilled to discover that Jillina is just a sweet and wonderful as she portrays on the stage.

Morocco, Jehan Kamal and Samara from New York City were also there, performing in the show and teaching at the festival. Morocco delighted the crowd as usual with her sassy cymbals dance. Jehan mesmerized the audience with her oozing sensuality and Samara’s passionate energy was electrifying. 

Speaking of NYC, you have recently had the opportunity to perform in New York City on several occasions. 

 Yes, I am so fortunate to have had a childhood dream come true. Morocco invited me to perform in her shows at the Lafayette Grill on Franklin, which is around the Broadway and Franklin intersection. The dancers who perform there are so talented and so welcoming – it is such a treat to dance with them! I have had the opportunity to return to NYC and perform on different occasions since then and must say that NYC is one of my favorite venues for a multitude of reasons.

In addition to being a popular performer, you are also a highly sought after workshop presenter and teacher. What is your teaching philosophy?

That’s a pretty deep subject and is a reflection on my life’s philosophy.

Today’s reality is a rush-hustle-bustle and “surface” kind of experience. Rarely do we feel connected to each other and part of a community.. We wake up, hurry off to work, come home, gulp down dinner and either head off to dance class or fall into bed and wake up to repeat the process. And when we take a moment to stop and reflect on our lives, sometimes we find that this harried lifestyle is leading to a slow death – where there is little emotion, surface relationships and a seeming isolation from others- as well as our self.

When I teach, I make a concerted effort to touch each student personally – to make the connection on the individual level and help each dancer increase her technical proficiency, express herself through new choreography and feel even more confident as a dancer – and as a person. It’s my responsibility as a teacher to bring out the best in each student and to encourage her to be the best dancer she can be. I expect the best from students and I give them the best I have, from my heart.

Teaching, for me, is so rewarding because I love seeing others embrace who they are, fall in love with themselves and become strong, beautiful individuals who believe in themselves and know their worth – regardless of their age, weight, beauty, economic status, whatever they previously held as their limitation. In the past two decades of teaching, I’ve seen so many women’s lives change for the better through dance. It is so inspiring to know that, in some small way, I was part of their journey to great esteem and self worth. That’s on the personal side. On the dance side, I absolutely love to see choreography bring music to life through a dancer’s movements.  I believe if we create art through dance and send good energy out into this world, the world becomes a better place for all of us. 

When I teach workshops, I try to develop a program where dancers will feel challenged and a sense of accomplishment when they learn a dance. Most importantly, I make classes fun and enjoyable – after all, this is belly dance … not rocket science!! It should be fun, uplifting and enjoyable – otherwise, why do it?

How do you approach performing?

My philosophy is the same when I perform.  People who attend shows have paid for a ticket – and in some instances, the choice was between a ticket and paying a bill.  They want an experience – something out of the ordinary. You never know what their day was like before they came to see you …. They may have had the most wonderful day, but maybe they just ended a huge argument, heard negative news about their health or had a day they’d rather leave behind. It’s my duty as a dancer to touch each audience member on the soul level – to give them joy and let them walk out a happier person than when they walked in … happier, because they’ve shared an experience with me and because the dance has brought beauty and art into their lives, even if only for a moment.

You are accomplishing many things and are a rising star. What is your philosophy on taking classes?

I firmly believe that a teacher must always continue to be a student. A teacher is like a pitcher of water and students are like empty glasses. The teacher fills the glasses with her creativity and knowledge – and it’s important to refill the pitcher, or there will be nothing left to give.

I take classes on a regular basis, in addition to seeking out inspiring teachers on the workshop circuit. I take at least six major workshops per year and participate in two competitions annually. Every experience is an opportunity to learn something new, experience the music in a different way and deepen myself as a dancer and as a person. And I always make it a goal to learn at least three new things at a workshop. That’s my responsibility and I am accountable to myself to continue growing, creating and giving back. I have that responsibility to my students as well and I take it very seriously.

Tell me more about your training in Egypt.

 My training is very specific to Egyptian style belly dance and I travel to Egypt once a year to train with the best in the world. Throughout my dance career, I’ve heard so many times “It’s about the spirit.” I did not really realize what was meant by that statement until I had the chance to travel to Cairo and experience the Egyptian spirit and life first-hand.  There is such joy and passion in every aspect of life and it is translated into the dance. I travel to Egypt annually to emerge myself in the culture and the people and to continue my dance training. 

 While there, I arrange private lessons and intensive studies with dance masters. In addition, I participate in courses such as Raqia Hassan’s Intensive Teacher Training certification each December.

 Each time I go, I have life-changing experiences. My love for the dance is intensified, my artistic ability is strengthened and I have a chance to invest in the many friendships I’ve made over the years.

 If a dancer is serious about Egyptian style dance, I highly recommend traveling to Egypt and immersing herself (or himself) in the culture, music and people. It is well worth the investment of time, money and effort – and you will leave a much different person and dancer than when you first arrived.

You own your own dance and Pilates studio, are the artistic director of the professional belly dance troupe, The Desert Flames, and have a student troupe, Alef Bey. Tell me a little bit about that.

From a curriculum perspective, my program has levels 1 through 4, an apprenticeship program for potential faculty members and two performing troupes. The Desert Flames are my professional dance company and we dance in weddings, at parties, festivals, staged shows, corporate events and fundraisers. Alef Bey, my student troupe, is directed by Cheryl Newman, my curriculum director and senior faculty member. She provides a fun format for dancers to enjoy team spirit, nice choreography and perform in two venues per season.  She works with Patricia Givens, my other senior faculty member, and my two junior faculty members, Jeannine Worthington and Jodine Goldstein, to teach level 1 and 2 students and I focus on level 3 and 4 students.  I am also developing a soloist track for those dancers interested in pursuing a career similar to mine.

 The women who take classes at the studio are very inspiring to me. They come to class each week, work hard at learning choreography and fine tuning their technique. They approach each class with great spirit and a heart for fun – and they keep me on my toes by expecting only my best, each and every day! I am very blessed to have these women in my life.

Who are some of today’s artists who inspire you the most?

 Randa Kamel is absolutely amazing! She is like a lightening bolt of positive energy; I feel a very strong connection with her and am fortunate to call her a personal friend as well as a primary teacher of mine. Dr. Mo Geddawi is simply delightful with his elegance and grace and creates beautiful Oriental choreography. Nabil Mabrouk instills precision and discipline into his work. Magda and Atef, who are husband and wife, and Shalabee, have taught me many things in the folkloric and Reda style. Jasmin Jahal is an inspiring choreographer. Raqia Hassan challenges me (in a great way!) with technique and rich choreography.

You’ve taught and performed in three continents, five countries and seven States. Are there any top places you’d like to teach and perform?

 It’s my goal to visit all fifty States and meet the wonderful dancers from across our great Nation. I’d also like to teach and perform in Ireland, Moscow, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand – to name a few!

Do you have any “gems” of wisdom to share with other dancers out there? 

• Know what you want from the dance and embrace it. Looking for fitness? Enjoy the movements and the training, feel like a beautiful goddess and celebrate your success! Dance for recreation? Set fun goals and jump into new dance opportunities! Going pro?  Talk to other dancers who make their living through dance, learn from their wisdom and train, train, train.  
• Love yourself and take care of yourself. All too often, society promotes an unrealistic vision of “perfection” and “flawlessness” that is unattainable. Block out those damaging images and messages. Recognize and celebrate your strengths, look at flaws and imperfections as what makes you unique and an individual and love yourself. Take care of yourself mentally and physically (Mom was right – eat your veggies!). Give yourself grace, girlfriend! 
• Be the magic. Jasmin learned this from her teacher, Ibrahim Farrah, and she passed it down to me. When you perform, become the music. Touch your audience. Create magic for them and for you … by being the magic.

 Raksanna is available for workshops and performances. For more information, please visit www.raksanna.com, email Raksanna@Raksanna.com or call her at 630-689-3611. Media kit available upon request.