| Al Salaam-Alaikum ~Peace be upon you~ Carenza |
| My style is Tribal Fusion, in my translation means, I learn moves everywhere. If I like it, I use it. I am particularly fond of Cabaret, fusion and bollywood. I was first introduced to belly dancing through the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval reenactment group. I was given the choice of being a Viking woman or a belly dancer. Hmmm...cook, clean and take care of men all day, or something mysterious and beautiful? I opted for something new and chose belly dancer. I had no clue of the work and time it would take to accomplish this. However, after I saw the dancers at Pennsic I was hooked and would do whatever it took to be able to dance like that. I chose the name Carenza, "bint Asya" came later from my first belly dance teacher Zweena bint Asya. I began lessons with Zweena in 2000 when my family and I moved from Muncie to Fort Wayne. I took private lessons, classes and worked my way up to assisting and then teaching classes.I became a member of Troupe Taleeba in April of 2002. In 2004, I returned to Muncie where I began teaching, vending and building my own troupe and dance studio. In November 2007, my family moved to join my husband, who was transferred to Pittsburgh. I closed my dance studio in March of 2008, choosing not to sell my business and name, but instead I passed my baby on to Liz. I am currently on an unknown path, not knowing where this dance will lead me next. However, I can only look back on the past with smiles as it has been a fun road filled with laughter, surprises, and many friends. xo, C |
| What does Carenza bint Asya mean? Carenza is Celtic for "love". Bint is Arabic for "Daughter of". Asya in Arabic is a variation of the word Asia meaning "lively" or "resurrection" |
I have had the honor and pleasure of learning from... 2000 Najwa al-Qamar Faten El Munger Khafif Zweena bint Asya: 2000-2004 2002 Elena Lentini 2003 Jaleela Saleem Morocco Tarik Sultan Jajouka Su'ad Al Raqqasah Khafif 2004 Badriya bint Daa'ood Jaleela Saleem Chic Velazco Dalia Carella Delilah Su'ad al Raqqasah Nezhah bint Saleem Kharajin of Turku Elitha bint Fahd ibn Acktar Lady Kamiilah al-Sudanii Lady Adalasia Serena Draven dos boa Morte Blue Lotus Tribe Onca Mary Kertzman Donna Carlton Amani Ali Laylia 2005 Jaleela Saleem Little Egypt Asya Zahra Zuhair Habiba -Paulette Rees-Denis of Gypsy Caravan- Zafira Suzanne of Gaiananda Dalia Carella Shoshanna Karim Nagi 2006 Rachel Brice Carolena Nericcio Megha Gavin Samantha of Boom Boom Bollywood Wildfyre Dale Langdon Kami Liddle Laylia Blue Lotus Tribe Suhaila Salimpour Zoe Jakes Moria 2007 Samira Rachel Brice Zoe Jakes Laylia Tarik Sultan Amani Ali **For my complete dance resume click here** Past Sightings |
| I encourage everyone to try at least one class. You do not need prior dance experience or a particular body style. I am the mother of four children with no prior dance experience. If I can learn to do this, so can you! "I have too much belly" Many of the first belly dancers were women who would be considered "big" by American standards. "My body doesn't move like that" Your body may not move like that now, but how often do you do chest lifts at the copy machine? |
Carenza bint Asya
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