Administration
President
Quayyum
"I have been dancing for decades, with classical training in Ballet, Street, Jazz,
Latin Ballroom,and Belly Dance. I have danced in the United States, Turkey, and Japan,
where I won first place in a Tokyo competition for beginner Latin Rhumba, and taught beginner Belly Dance for over two years. Most recently, I have been dancing with
the Mirage Belly Dance Troupe of Ithaca, NY for several years and CUMEME,
MidEast Eclectic, and Taksim. My performances at Rakkasah East, Cornell, The Ithaca Festival, The New York State Faerie Festival, the Apple Harvest Festival, and
The New York State Fair have often been filmed, and can be seen on YouTube and my Facebook page."
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 / Librarian
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."
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 and an interest in Flamenco.
Needless to say, my life pretty much revolves around dancing.
I produced the first New York Belly Dance Festival in 1987, a festival that allowed all dancers to perform; it was the first festival of its kind in the northeast.
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 administrator and most recently, Facebook administrator.
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 and an interest in Flamenco.
Needless to say, my life pretty much revolves around dancing.
I produced the first New York Belly Dance Festival in 1987, a festival that allowed all dancers to perform; it was the first festival of its kind in the northeast.
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 administrator and most recently, Facebook administrator.
I'd have to say my favorite SABA activity is performing for seniors; I love the big smiles on the faces of the residents."
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 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."
