Administration
President / Librarian / Membership Chairman
Petra
"1976 is the year I began belly dancing. I took three different classes each week regularly. Instructors included "the greats" - Cassandra in Minneapolis, Aziz in Salt Lake City and Angelica Nemeth in Los Angeles. In time I performed regularly in nightclubs, two to three nights a week, in Seattle and Minneapolis. In the past few years I have developed an interest in flamenco; I am now studying this dance style as well.
In addition to dancing, I own a costume design business - "Flamenco Diva", selling belly dance costuming world wide. Very popular with dancers is the "go-between body stocking" which I designed. Visit flamencodiva.com.
I am a founding member of SABA. In addition to being the Treasurer for many years, I have been the Vice President as well. Many of my long-term friendships began through SABA."
Vice President / Secretary
Selenya
"I have been belly dancing since 2013, when I decided that it was time to
move on from volleyball and aikido, and find an activity gentler on the knees
and back. Since then, I have become addicted to Middle Eastern music and dance.
As a member of the Mirage Belly Dance Troupe of Ithaca and the Syracuse Area Bellydancers' Association, I have performed group numbers and individual solos
at many venues, festivals and events, including the New York State Fair and
Rakkasah East, an internationally famous Middle Eastern Festival. I currently
teach belly dance classes at the Community School of Music & Art in Ithaca, New York.
When not dancing, I am probably working at my day job (controller at a retirement community), spending time with my family, keeping fit, practicing the doumbek (a Middle Eastern hand drum), or doing some reading."
Treasurer / Website & Facebook Administrator
Katina
" Not only did my Mom start me dancing at the age of 5, she discovered BD when I
was a teenager and took me to a class. We danced together and the rest is history!
I love performing and have been a very successful entertainer in the Syracuse area.
My other dance experience is vast, ranging from Hawaiian and Tahitian dance,
to award winning Scottish Highland dancing, to an interest in Flamenco. Needless to say,
my life pretty much revolves around dancing. I produced The NewYork Belly Dance Festival
from 1987-2003, a festival that allowed all dancers to perform; it was the first festival of
its kind in the northeast. I initiated SABA benefit shows and produced them from 2013-2018.
I have been a SABA member since its inception in 1988. I've seen many dancers come and go-
I guess I'm here to stay! Club involvement has included serving as social director, charity show
coordinator, SABA Scroll contributor, Vice President, President, website and Facebook
administrator and most recently, Publicist.
I'd have to say my favorite SABA activity is performing for seniors; I love the big smiles
on the faces of the residents."
" Not only did my Mom start me dancing at the age of 5, she discovered BD when I
was a teenager and took me to a class. We danced together and the rest is history!
I love performing and have been a very successful entertainer in the Syracuse area.
My other dance experience is vast, ranging from Hawaiian and Tahitian dance,
to award winning Scottish Highland dancing, to an interest in Flamenco. Needless to say,
my life pretty much revolves around dancing. I produced The NewYork Belly Dance Festival
from 1987-2003, a festival that allowed all dancers to perform; it was the first festival of
its kind in the northeast. I initiated SABA benefit shows and produced them from 2013-2018.
I have been a SABA member since its inception in 1988. I've seen many dancers come and go-
I guess I'm here to stay! Club involvement has included serving as social director, charity show
coordinator, SABA Scroll contributor, Vice President, President, website and Facebook
administrator and most recently, Publicist.
I'd have to say my favorite SABA activity is performing for seniors; I love the big smiles
on the faces of the residents."
Publicist / YouTube Manager
Greg Ezra
"As a percussionist who loves drumming for dancers, I am delighted to
be involved with SABA working to promote the cause of belly dance
and live music performance in the Greater Syracuse area.
A drum set player since my teens, in recent years I have taken up the
doumbek, frame drum, kudum and poyk. In addition to Middle Eastern
music, I play Klezmer, folk-rock, Celtic music, blues and jazz.
I have performed with the Cornell Middle Eastern and Klezmer ensembles,
the Klezmer Kings, Taksim, Don Baragiano (Hejira), and the David Graybeard
Band, amongst others. I particularly enjoy collaborating with dancers
such as the Mirage troupe and Alicia Free (Ithaca); performing in the
SABA 30th Birthday Bash show was a highlight of 2018!"
Dance Coordinator
Sheba Abdoe
"Over the last several years, I have found belly dance to be a unique outlet.
I can get away from the everyday problems like work and stress. I can put all my
energy into the dance. It is a big confidence builder as well.
I have been belly dancing for 28 years, and teaching since 2001. I have been
SABA Vice President and President in addition to dance coordinator.
My favorite aspect of SABA is the camaraderie. I love getting together with other
members and seeing new costumes and hearing new music."
