Araylia~self created

• BECAME A GYPSY IN: January 2004

• DANCE BACKGROUND: I came dancing out of my Mommy's belly. I took gymnastics in elementary school and Modern Dance in High School. I found Belly Dance with my mom and sister through Community Education classes. I majored in Dance at UVSC (now UVU) for two years, dipping into Ballet, Modern, American Social and African. (I was most comfortable in African, I'm not a ballerina!)

• YEARS DANCING: I have been taking Belly Dancing for 10 years now.

• INTRODUCED TO MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE BY: UVSC Community Education

• FAVORITE STYLE OF BELLY DANCE: I like to watch all styles, but I feel best dancing as myself, with my sisters. (Is "Halima" a style?)

PASSION FOR DANCING: I love to dance with my sisters and connect my soul to our Mother Earth through my dancing. I love the opportunity of showing the community how much we love this art form. I love that our dance troupes truly present what Middle Eastern Dancing means to me. Odessa once said: "Regardless of your age, body type, skill level, cultural background...you will succeed and benefit from Middle Eastern Dance!" Society often keeps us so busy that we forget that we are all sisters. Our view of "the dance" is one of joyful celebration and creative expression of the divine feminine." I really like that.

• OCCUPATION WHEN NOT DANCING: I work as a cashier and in customer service at a grocery store.

• HOBBIES & INTERESTS: I love to read. I bead and enjoy crafts. I love being with my family and being outside to experience Nature's Magic. I'm a member of the performing dance troupe, Desert Gypsy. I co-direct the performing dance troupe, Gypsy Rhythm. I teach beginning classes through UVSC (UVU) Community Education, and I dance every spare chance I get that doesn't neglect my time with my family.