| S O R A Y A A S K T E N C O N T I N U E D |
| 6. When people hear the phrase ''Classical Egyptian'' belly dance, what should an audience member or appreciator should know or expect? |
| '' I like to call it my ''emotional roller-coaster''! They should expect smooth, refined, strong and a very natural way of movement and transition. It is crucial for the artist to hold the attention of any audience in the palm of their hand. It's a beautiful thing to help make them forget a bad day to transcend them to another world with the power of music and dance. Oriental dance should never see them fake, mechanical, robotic or rushed, it should flow like a mountain stream...unlike a lot of westernized dances, it shouldn't be broken up too much, made overly scientific and rigid. An Arabic audience WILL pick up on it and not watch the show. I have seen this happen to dancers, and it is quite sad and it also perpetuates a bad, negative image and stereotype of what belly dance is. There is a bad difference and juxtaposition when the dance is being exploited by the low-class, sleazy strip-o-gram companies for a bunch of beer-drinking slobs at an afternoon barbecue or at a Middle Eastern-themed American restaurant. This is on the opposite end of the spectrum. This dance should always be performed genuinely, in an authentic, respectable, family-oriented and upscale atmosphere.'' |
| 7. You arguably have the most photogenic (and sexiest) abdominals in belly dance today. You also choose in your live performing and videos NOT to do belly rolls and flutters. Why is that? |
| '' I like to stay true to the style of the Egyptian form. I prefer the style of dance that isn't overly exaggerated and or rushed. I like my movements to encompass isolations of all body parts, but not too much with the stomach area. It is just a matter of personal style and esthetics, it's very old-fashioned and not the Arabic style to do a lot of exaggerated belly rolls. But, if it makes a dancer wants to use them, that is her business, it just depends on what you like and how you want to protect your personal image and style. There is no real right and wrong, if someone is enjoying herself dancing. I never liked the way belly rolls or flutters looks, plus I find it to be very dated and old-fashioned. The type of clientele that I dance for being mostly Arabic and Egyptian, they don;t want to see that sort of thing, either. Belly rolls are more of the American or Turkish nightclub/cabaret style. I remember when I was a young child, they were more popular in America. It is kind of like a fad of rolling quarters on the belly, like making it into a circus act! I like the look of delicate undulations of the spine, back and stomach, in the gentle Egyptian style. It's important to me to keep my muscles toned, youthful, taut and developed Belly rolls also tend to loosen the abdominal muscles, making them more prone to protrude, sag and stick out over the belt. I prefer the strong use of the Egyptian technique, style, dynamics, transitions, isolated shimmy work, fluidity, body anchoring and use of space. So, it's safe to say that it's not my style to use them. I don;t care much for floorwork as well... I think that it cheapens the look of the dance when a dancer gets down on her knees.'' |
| 8. What are your favorite and difficult moves to do during a live performance? |
| '' Endurance and stamina are very important and key aspect in my style of dancing. I work out regularly doing cardiovascular and strngth training to keep my body in top condition and form, not only to look your best, to be able to perform vigorously for long periods of time. I have a lot of energy naturally, so I am lucky with that, but muscle strngth, flexibility and agility is crucial to make it all look so easy, like liquid. I enjoy performing a move that I made up called ''The Circle Shimmy''. I perform the relive' on the balls of my feet and I shimmy the entire circumference of the stage in a complete circle. It takes a lot of leg and butt work. I keep my body from the hips up completely still and move the lower half. Sometimes, I throw in some snake arms, as I execute this movement. I love to do very long, complex and rhythmic tabla solos with a lot of intricate steps, licks, pops, accents and body locks. I also like to do reverse camels and figure 8's with shimmy, too!'' |
| 9. Being of Arabic decent, how has performing as a belly dancer has changed for you since the tragedies of September 11, 2001? |
| '' Since I perform now for the sheer love of the art and not for a living anymore, it really hasn't affected my dancing. I know that is has affected a lot of dancers and musicians, it has and it's a shame. As an entertainment agent, the ''Arabian Nights'' theme was not as popular, but it is nowslowly gaining popularity. People should always see the art for art's sake, not inject racial and cultural stereotypes. I can't stand ignorance and prejudice of any kind anyway! I have an Arabic look, but I have not been harassed for being Middle Eastern. During the Gulf War, idiots would call and say should things on my company voice mails. This summer, I unfortunately saw this racial profiling, directed at a conveinence store clerk. This was the first I witnessed the backlash against Arabs. A very American-looking woman screamed in front of the whole store clerk: ''GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!'' I was shocked! The clerk yelled back: ''I AM AMERICAN and my father fought in the Vietnam War for America!'' I walked to over to her and we high-fived. I shouted, ''Way to go, girl!'' Hopefully, people will stop blaming a whole aggregate of people for the actions of a few. |
| 10. The day will come when you will perform for the last time. What impressions on the art form will you like to leave behind? |
| '' I don't ever see myself ever fully retiring! However, when the time comes that I decide to slow down the public performances, I want to leave behind a legacy of professionalism, authenticity, style and respect. I feel so complete right now in my life as a person, but as a performer as well. Every day just gets better than the last! Life is beautiful and I hope that everyone finds their true happiness in their lives as well...my sincerest advice is to never give up until you have exactly what you want and always dreamed of having, do not settle. NEVER SETTLE. To be really successful, I found that is not only important to work harder, but to also to work smarter as well. Being spiritually, emotionally and psychologically balanced is crucial to happiness. That when you look in the mirror, the face that is looking back at you is truly content in every way! Never lie to yourself...having balance in your life is the key! Always be nice to people, never forget where you came from, the people who have helped you and always been there for you every step of the way. You get out of life what you put in to it. Keep pushing the envelope and you will be very surprised of the person you become! Salaam and shimmies to everyone! |
| Q U I C K P I C K S UPDATED JUNE 14, 2004. * She has redone her website, located at: http://www.bellydancebysoraya.com * She has owns three cats. * New York University only recommends her involving Middle Eastern dance events. * She is well known for her ''earthquake'' shimmies, which has her adjusting her hip- dress a lot in her performances. * Audience participation is a MUST. * She is always with a smile on her face when dancing. * One of few belly dancers who will wear a jewel in her navel. *She now has 3 outlets to her entertainment company: now performing on the Jersey Shore, Princeton and Main Line of Pennsylavania. |
| Click on the pic to go to her website! :) |
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