our dance as a business , costuming variations outside of our norm , and encouragement to hundreds of students to discover and dance a more personal style . She claims to be mainly in the business of “ creating Goddesses .” Amaya is iconic in her fusion of Arabic and Spanish dance styling .
Amaya started her dance path by winning 1st Place at a dance competition at the Cairo Sheraton in Egypt ( 1979 ). She admits to “ running away to join the circus ” ( Salome Traum theatre in Hamburg , Germany and Circus Conelli in Zurich , Switzerland , 1982 ). Other accolades include being featured in a theatrical production of “ Zorba ,” plus winning the prestigious “ Dancer of the Year ” award from the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance ( IAMED ).
Amaya organized the annual “ Shake & Bake Dance Festival ” in New Mexico for 15 years . Before that , the festival took place in Mexico as “ Amaya ’ s Mexico Adventures .” These festivals added thousands of dollars to the tourist economy . Dancers from many different countries joined her in the Land of Enchantment and Mexico for days of dance , culture and tours .
Today Amaya hosts “ Amaya ’ s Wise Woman Retreat .” Her main philosophy is to bring like-minded dance spirits together in a more personal and intimate setting than her previous mega-festivals . Her goal is to remind dancers of the original joys of dance . Tours , thoughtful discussions and exposure to local Native American culture help the participants reconnect to the original goal of the dance . Amaya helps dancers to honor bodies of all shapes , ages , genders in the communal and joyful expression of the human spirit .
dance life including Belly Dance , Hula and Ballet . And that dance life has been all about growing , creating , producing and sharing - the dancers , the music , the entertainment , the love . “ The joy of entertaining and sharing Raqs Sharki ( aka Belly Dancing ) for over 45 years in so many venues , including concert stages , celebrations , restaurants and ren faires ”, Isis says , “ changed my life and has continued to bless me in so many ways while giving me the tools to create so many opportunities for others as entertainers , skilled dancers , talented musicians , competition winners , and teachers who also share this beautiful art .”
Known as a wise mentor to many , Isis has produced many accomplished award-winning dance companies , performers and musicians through her mega-size dance studio . This powerhouse of a dancer had many opportunities in her career to travel as a solo artist but she chose to develop her dance family and “ Queendom ” and became the largest center of powerhouse talent in the USA ! For over a quarter of a century in Texas , she produced the huge Yaa Halla Y ’ all festival and , most recently , the new Yalla Raqs festival . These
Isis
Amaya ’ s career has included performances and workshops around the world , film making , CD production , mega-event planning , a member of the worldwide dance organization , CID UNESCO , is a published writer ( currently on staff of the international magazine , The Belly Dance Chronicles ), public speaker , animal advocate , hospice coordinator , and national dance fitness instructor .
Isis – The Mentor With multiple years of modeling , dramatic theater and complete musical theater experience - winner of , and then invited judge of numerous beauty and talent competitions - Isis had the impetus to prepare her for her immersion into her
January 2023 � The Belly Dance Chronicles 11