| Raks (meaning dance in Arabic) Rosa is an apt description for this Santa Rosa based Bellydance company. Drawing on many different styles and experiences this group blends classical Oriental dance with the modern influences of Jazz and American fusion styles. Raks Rosa Bellydance Company has the fluid precision that comes with the true love and study of Arabic dance. Many of their choreographies are set to the great composers and musicians of the golden era of Belly Dance; Mohhamed Abdel Wahab, Oum Kalsoum and Farid Al Atrache. Other influences include modern Lebanese singer Roula, fabulous American percussionist Susu Pampanin and many other wonderful artists. Raks Rosa Dance CO collaborates with many different musicians to bring the synergy of live music and dance to the stage and to the audience. Raks Rosa Dance Company is available to dance for local events including parties, weddings, baby showers, festivals, corporate events, winery functions and family friendly functions. Please contact us at (707) 322.0701 to discuss a personalized show just for you!! |
| Raks Rosa Dance Company |
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| Raks Rosa Dance Company From left to right: Kimberly, Elana, Cristina and Sue |
| Sue Assistant Director Sue has been dancing for many years and adds talent, classical grace and rhythm to the Raks Rosa Dance Company. Sue has choreographed many of the dance numbers in Raks Rosa and is an exceptional solo dancer as well. Sue is available for private lessons, performances and costume creation. |
Hallie Hallie started belly dancing over 5 years ago. It started as an adventure and turned into a passion. Enjoying this dance was unexpected and delightful. It makes her feel strong and beautiful. Hallie has no “formal” dance training but has loved to dance for as long as she can remember and has always had a penchant for heavy drums. Besides dancing, gardening, kayaking, reading and fast cars are some of her favorite pastimes. She has been married for 15 years to Brian and has no children. Hallie works in a professional capacity and belly dancing is a creative outlet that has enriched her life and brought with it new cultures, music and best of all, lots of bling! |
| Janet Janet’s love for dance and performance began at the age of five following two events: her mother brought her to the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker, and enrolled Janet in tap and ballet school. Throughout her childhood and teens, she studied various forms of dance. From the first time she saw belly dance, she was instantly attracted to its sensual and expressive form. About 12+ years ago, she had her first belly dance lessons, taught by a very young, but extremely talented and inspiring, Elana, who was teaching a summer session in Sebastopol. Due to life issues, Janet didn’t dance again for years. She was forever yearning to return to belly dance, with its expressive movement, rhythms and music. About 4 years ago, Janet began cultivating her interest in belly dance, taking classes in Sebastopol with Kathy Wolff, and within the past year, with Elana Quihuis. She’s been enthusiastically and fervently dancing ever since. For Janet, belly dance is spiritually, physically, and culturally stimulating, fulfilling and satisfying, and is an integral part of her life and who she is. Besides, she says, “I get to dress up in flowing skirts and veils, let my hair fly, wear as much makeup as I possibly can, layer on jewelry, wrap my hips in jingling coins and fringe, feel my bare feet on the earth and dance my heart out to beautiful music with abandonment and the loveliest of women who feel and understand the love of this dance of the belly, as I do- what more could a girl ask for?” |
| Eva Eva has been a student of dance for many years gracing Sonoma County with her elegance and soulful interpretation of Arabic dance. Eva dances with fluid and lovely movements and can even dance on glasses!!! |
| Elana Director and Choreographer |
| Elana has been bellydancing for over 17 years and teaching for over a decade. Her early studies includes many great local favorites; Alnisa, TerriAnne and Ellen Cruz as well as training deeply in Jazz, Ballet and Yoga. Later on Elana studied intensively with both Jamila and Suhaila Salimpour. Elana has danced throughout the North Bay and in Portland, OR. Her deep loves include the golden era of Arabic dance & music. She believes that the heart and soul of Bellydance is the community of dancers that make up the dance collective in the Middle East, Europe, America, Asia and beyond. Elana takes immense pride in her fabulous dance company; Raks Rosa and also co-directs the cutting edge fusion dance company Valkyries. Elana seeks to educate, enlighten and inspire the local dance scene with poetic choreography and luscious dance performances. Elana's dance studio "Solstice Studio" is a mecca for the local arts and dance: www.srsolsticestudio.com or contact her directly at elana@raksrosa.com. |
| Past Alumni Members of Raks Rosa |
| CRISTINA |
| JILL |
| KIMBERLY |
| Cassie Cassie has been dancing for the last few years with Elana and brings to her dance a delicate femininity and lightheartedness. She is Raks Rosa's newest member! |
RADHA
| DEBORAH |
| KAT |
