****~*~*~Janna~*~*~****

As an Middle Eastern Dance instructor for over 14 years, Janna has taught ages from 9 to 90 and all body types with great success. She has been involved with dance since 1978, studying ballet, modern, jazz, international folk dance, and ballroom and received a specialization in dance from Ball State University in Muncie, IN.

Her dance style is known for its unusual combinations of music and dance technique. Janna proudly opened her own dance studio in September of 2004 where she teaches weekly classes as well as keeping her classes in Hampton, Gloucester, the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.  She has taught seminars in dance, belly dance fusion, and dance costuming as a guest workshop instructor in several areas outside of the Peninsula of VA.

She is the creator, director, and principal choreographer of the Desert Wind Dance Company, a professional Middle Eastern Dance Company founded in 1993 and of the Desert Breeze Student Dance Company in 2005. The Desert Wind Dance Company has been the featured as the guest company in many seminar shows and both the full company and individual members have been the guest artists with the Bellydance Superstars in 2004 and 2006. She is also the creator of the “All-In-One” Urban Beledi Dance Costume Pattern, which is now enjoying international fame and use.

****~*~*~Amani~*~*~****

****~*~*~Nadia~*~*~****

I started taking belly dance classes from Janna at The College of William and Mary about four years ago. Since then, I haven’t been able to stop. I am always excited and impatient to perform and to learn more about this style of dancing.

In March 2003, I joined the Desert Wind Dance Company and this is where I have been able to recognize and improve my skills. I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many talented dancers who I can look to for support, guidance, and most importantly, friendship.

On a more general note, I graduated from William and Mary in December 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. (And I am still looking for a chemistry job.)

****~*~*~Johara~*~*~****

I’m a bellydancer born and raised in Virginia. I’m a member of Desert Wind Dance Company and can be found on some sort of stage just about every weekend. I’m currently employed as a social worker for the foster care system. As a social worker I am by definition over worked, under paid, and stressed out about 90% of the time. But hey, I’m changing the world one foster kid at a time.

****~*~*~Meissoun~*~*~****

I am the child of a military family and so I moved around quite a bit when I was small. I have finally come home, figuratively as well as literally.

In 1999 I had the privilege of joining classes taught by Janna. I began taking classes in the company of a couple of friends from my childhood, one of which also was invited to join the Desert Wind Dance Company the same time I did. It’s been six years since I joined the Company, and I still can’t get enough of the family I have found here. Dancing has become a great passion in my life. I continually try to expand my technique and personal style in the dance.

****~*~*~Noor~*~*~****

Ever since I was a child I have had an interest in art and dance. At the age of 4 I began taking ballet and jazz lessons which continued until I was 11 years old. In college, I returned to taking ballet and graduated with a BA in Studio Art with a minor in Art History.

During my childhood, I as exposed to Middle Eastern Belly Dance by a family friend. I always had an interest in this form of dance, but never took classes until I started teaching for the Parks and Recreation Dept. Through these classes I met Janna, who inspired me to take up dancing again and later I was invited to join her in the Desert Wind Dance Company. I have been with Desert Wind for 6 years now. I hope to continue dancing for many years to come and I owe all my thanks to Janna for encouraging me to express myself with Belly Dancing.

I hope to someday pursue a career as a full-time freelance artist and open my own studio in the future.

****~*~*~Bakira~*~*~****

I have experienced the joys of middle-eastern dance expression for approximately 25 years. At a time when my “real” life was in shambles, this art form entered my life and has been a mainstay and influencing factor ever since. As a Company member, I find real happiness in participating in and interchanging with the sisterhood of dancers.

Over the years, I have risen through the ranks of student, company member, sometimes teacher, soloist, etc. Even as a long-time professional, I still consider myself a student because we never stop learning. Given the high number of excellent performers in the dance world, there are numerous sources from which to study.
In my other life, I am a wife, homemaker, mother, and secretary/administrative specialist; however, I still consider dance expression as my “real” life since it continues to influence me and gives me so much pleasure.

****~*~*~Mariellynn~*~*~****

I’m originally from the Buffalo/Niagra Falls area of New York and that’s where my dancing began. At the age of 3, my mom enrolled me in my first dance classes (and I still have the program from my very first recital!). After 31 years of dance classes of one sort or another, I don’t remember any time in my life when I wasn’t dancing. I think I’ve danced at more PTA variety shows, church events, talent shows, competitions, and school related events than I can count anymore. I guess some things just work out for the best because I do enjoy dancing so much. My dance training has consisted of tap, jazz, and ballet classes (yes, even those wonderful pointe shoes became a favorite!). My dad was in the military so we moved overseas which meant that I was able to study some other dance forms as well. While living in Scotland, I took folk dance classes and competed in the Highland Fling and Sword Dancing categories. We relocated to Virginia and I’ve been here ever since. I continued dancing in college and studied contemporary and modern dance, as well as improvisational movement. I found that I really enjoyed and focused on the techniques of Martha Graham – it was like a whole new world of dance had suddenly opened up to me! I graduated from The College of William and Mary in 1995 (English major with a secondary education teaching license). After college I studied some of the latin ballroom dances (salsa, cha cha, rumba, etc.). Always up for a new dance adventure, I wanted to learn middle eastern dance … and that’s how I met Janna! I must say that, once again, it’s like a whole new world of dance has suddenly opened up! I’ve been consistently studying under Janna for about 3 years now. I still enjoy learning new techniques and styles and I still enjoy dancing today as much as I did the day I began!<b