Shining is a respected performer and instructor internationally recognized for her research and reconstructions of early Raqs Sharqi (Belly Dance) and the candelabra - balancing dance named “Raqs al-Shamadan”.
Committed to providing interesting and educational performances and seminars in Egyptian Dance, her teaching as well as performances have a strong emphasis on the historical and cultural aspects of Raqs Sharqi as elements which contribute an important
depth and creativity in this special art form.
In June 2021 she moved to Egypt to expand her understanding of Egyptian culture and arts with a focus on social dance, ghawazee and awalim traditions. After 8 months of work with Khyria Mazin, she produced a website about the Banat Mazin dance group from Luxor which includes recorded lesson on shaabi (ghawazee) dance, streamable music, family bios and other resources to help the international dance community learn about the family and their style of dance in a direct-as-possible way.
Titles Include:
“1st place Props” (Candelabra Dance)
2016 La Danse Oriental Competition
“Professional Grand Champion”
2015 Belly Dance Off (live music competition)
“1st place Alternative Music Professional”
2009 Belly Dancer USA Competition
About Shining
CV Highlights
Education Summery
Shining is a 2019 graduate of dance ethnologist Sahra Kent’s “Journey Through Egypt” program; 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 alumni of “ANAR DANA International Dance Theater” year-long dance intensive programs by dance ethnologist Helene Erikson; a long time mentee under Aisha Azar (2011-2016) in Egyptian Raqs Sharqi and pursuant of numerous workshops in Raqs Sharqi, American Oriental, Tribal Fusion and other non-MENAHT dance and music forms from teachers all over the globe, among them: Khyriya Mazin, Dandash, Joana Saahira, Amel Tafsout, Leila Haddad, Ahmed Awdouny, Hany Morgan, Heather Ward (Nisaa), Morocco, Heather Louise, David Reise, Zulaika, Shira, Zoe Jakes, and Rachel Brice.
Journey Through Egypt 2015-2019
April 2019 | Sahra Kent's "Journey Through Egypt" 3 & 4, Egypt
August 2016 | Sahra Kent's "Journey Through Egypt" 2, Seattle, WA
April 2015 | Sahra Kent's "Journey Through Egypt" 1, Seattle, WA
ANAR DANA International Dance Theater 2014-2016
October 2015 - June 2016
Helene Erikson's "ANAR DANA International Dance Theater", Seattle, WA
Folkloric Dances for the Stage:
Algeria: Kabyle Berbers
Saudi Arabia/Gulf Region: Women’s Traditional Dance
Romania: Roma Manea
Turkey: Eskisehir Spoon Dance
Pakistan: Sindhi Balochi Wedding Celebration
Iran: Qajar/Classical Persian
Dances of the Armenian Diaspora
November 2014 - June 2015
Helene Erikson's "ANAR DANA International Dance Theater", Seattle, WA
Folkloric Dances for the Stage:
Algeria: Chaoui Berbers
Azerbijan: Azeri Canopy Dance
Croatia: Slavonske Kralijice
Egypt: 1800’s Ghawazee
Gilan, Iran: Rice Harvest Dance
Turkey: Karadeniz Horon
Turkmenistan: Turkmen Dance
A'isha Azar 2011-2016
2011 - 2016 | Student of A'isha Azar | Spokane, WA
Raqs Sharqi (Egyptian Belly Dance):
Technique, Musicality, Reliable Researching, Professionalism and Teaching Methods
Folkloric Dances:
Beladi (Traditional Cairo style urban dance)
Shaabi (Modern urban dance)
Ghawazee (Upper Egyptian entertainer’s dance)
Samri (Traditional Kuwaiti dance)
Khaleegi (Modern Gulf region dance)
Palestinian Debke (Agricultural stage dance)
Portland Community College 2007-2010
Associate of General Studies
Portland Community College, Portland, OR
Special Focus Classes:
Modern Dance, Ballet, Flamenco, Choreography, Yoga, Nia, Weight Training
Teaching Experience
April 2020 - Present | Shining Dance Arts Online School
https://shining.teachable.com
Online school featuring live & pre-recorded courses on Raqs Sharqi, Awalim, Dance Theory, Costuming and more.
November 2016 - Present | Online Instructor via Skype & Zoom
International Personalized Coaching
September 2021 | Learning From Film Clips-60's edition!
Online Workshop for Montreal, Canada based Aziza
September 2021 | Creating Awalim Dance
Online Workshop for Sydney, Australia based Farrah Dancers
May 2021 | Queen of the Hips: Nabaweya Mustafa
Exploring Balancing Dances in Egypt
Online Workshops for Vermont, USA based Raq-On Dance Studio
March 2021 | How to Make a Ribbon Belt for Awalim/Ghawazee
Shamadan in the Golden Era
Online Workshops for Kan Zaman International Dance Festival
October 2020 | Intro to Floorwork for Shamadan
Online Workshops for Los Angeles Belly Dance Academy
September 2020 | Awalim Movement
Online Workshops for Sydney, Australia based Farrah Dancers
August 2020 | Intro to Raqs el-Shamadan
Online Workshops for Los Angeles Belly Dance Academy
August 2019 | A Comparison of Awalim & Raqs Sharqi | Spokane, WA
3hr Co-taught Workshop
8hr Workshop
August 2019 | Intro to Awalim Dance | Bellingham, WA
5hr Workshop
August 2019 | Intro to Raqs el-Shamadan | Gig Harbor, WA
May 2019 | Awalim & Shamadan Intensive | Guangzhou, China
4 Day Workshop (20hrs)
February 2018 | Awalim Movement | Spokane, WA
2hr Workshop, Spokane Belly Fest
2hr Workshop, Hasani's Hafla
November 2017 | Creative Variations: The Theory of Visual Interest | Tacoma, WA
2015 - 2017 | Intro to Egyptian Raqs Sharqi | Seattle Metro Area, WA
1hr & 2hr Weekly Classes, Multiple locations
April 2015 | Intro to Musicality: Moving to the Music | Tacoma, WA
2hr Workshop, University of Puget Sound
1hr Weekly Co-taught Classes
2013 | Intro to Egyptian Raqs Sharqi | Spokane, WA
Performance Highlights
March 2021 | Kan Zaman Online International Festival
Featured Dancer & Instructor in a vintage themed online festival
July 2020 | "Vintage Beauties"| Online International Showcase
Featured Dancer in a vintage themed online dance showcase
September 2019 | Teacher's Day Celebration| Guangzhou, China
Featured Entertainment (Raqs el-Shamadan)
Lectro-Demo (Awalim & Raqs el-Shamadan)
August 2019 | Seattle Arab Festival | Seattle, WA
February 2018 | Spokane Belly Fest | Spokane, WA
Workshop Instructor & Featured Peformer (Awalim Dance w/ Live Music)
January 2018 | Club Naked Winery | Hood River, OR
Belly Dancer for Medieval Themed Banquet
April 2017 | H.O.T. House Show | Seattle, WA
Belly Dancer for Live Music Event
July 2016 | Oregon Country Faire | Eugene, OR
Belly Dancer for Outdoor Live Music Event
Recurring Performances
Dancer (Daily Shows) | August 2021, May 2022
Porto Sohkna, Egypt
Weekly House Dancer | April 2017- June 2017
Persepolis Club, Tacoma, WA
Harissa Mediterranean Cuisine, Seattle, WA
Featured Dancer | 2014-2017
Featured Dancer | 2014-2016
Mediterranean Gyro Grill, Federal Way, WA
Weekly House Dancer | December 2012 - June 2013
Red Lantern Lounge, Spokane, WA
Red Dragon Restaurant, Spokane, WA
Weekly House Dancer | June 2012 - April 2013
Weekly House Dancer | May 2011 - March 2012
West Wing Restaurant, Spokane, WA
Member of
Karavans Dance Troupe | 2015-2017
Presented dances from the Middle East, North Africa, Arabian Gulf and Central Asia for private events and cultural festivals.
Presented dances of the Middle East and Arabian Gulf in multi-cultural dance/music productions for corporate events and arts festivals.
Intermuse Productions | 2015-2017
Baharat!! Dance Company | 2011-2014
Presented traditional, modern and fusion dances from Middle East, North Africa, Arabian Gulf and Central Asia for private events, art festivals and annually self-produced shows.
Mandala Dance Company | 2008-2009
Presented Neo-Tribal Fusion Belly Dance for events along the west coast including public festivals, variety shows and studio showcases.