Dream Weavers

Interview by Dacia J. Coffey
(appeared in the July 2009 issue of Society Life)

The largest Middle Eastern dance studio in Texas is snuggled in Bedford .  Not only has ISIS and the Star Dancers and the Academy of Performing Arts brought Middle Eastern dance to the local community but they have been making their presence known worldwide.  From their visually-dynamic professional performances to their engaging and energetic classes, a treasure of beauty, skill and excitement lives among us.  Society Life’s Dacia Coffey talks with the charming and talented ISIS about the art of belly dance and her passion for reaching people through this historical medium.

 Q:  How did you get involved with Belly Dancing and Mideastern dance?

  ISIS :  I am the mother of two and I was a savings and loan officer.  I had recently lost weight and was looking for exercise classes when I call the Northwest campus of TCJC.  Figure Controlled Belly Dance was their only offering at the right time.  Well, I wasn’t interested, but when I called back the following semester, that was still the only option.  I thought Why not? and enrolled.  That was in June of 1977.  I was struck not only by the beauty of the dance, but by the technical expertise involved.

 Q:  When did you know this could jump from a passing hobby to a life pursuit?

  ISIS :  Being involved in the business side of the savings and loan industry in the eighties, I knew there would be trouble in the near future and needed to get out of the business.  I started a dance studio in the early eighties teaching one class.  The popularity of the class created demand for others.  Today, we have 22 classes with over 300 dancers and five performing companies.

 Q:  Why do you think belly dancing has seen such a surge in popularity?

  ISIS :  Well, over the last 30 years belly dancing has really changed from housewives learning to feel good about themselves to a serious craft taught around the world.  It has become its own classical dance form.  For instance with ballet, a dancer is over the hill at the age of 20.  The demands on the body are excruciating, but with Middle Eastern dance, it is built for the female body.  What a woman’s body can do and accomplish is celebrated.  Professional dancers have come in to push the envelope and transform this into something quire remarkable.

 Q:  And has this translated into the community’s involvement in this dance form?

ISIS :  Oh yes.  The wonderful part about belly dancing is there is something for everybody.  If you want technique, if you want entertainment skills, if you want exercise, performance or just more fun in your life – you can get all of those benefits.  A person can even transform their interest into a professional level.  Anyone can make of this what they want it to be.

 Q:  What classes do you offer?

  ISIS :  Like I said, there is definitely something for everyone.  We have children’s classes for ages four through eleven.  There are beginning adult and teen classes where I’ve seen grandmothers come in with their daughters and granddaughters.  The Fit or Bust class focuses on the health benefits of the dance and builds moral support for weight loss.  Another exciting introduction has been our Polynesian dance.  Hula, as well as Tahitian drums, are taught by a fantastic married couple.  The rhythms and movements are spectacular.  We also have Middle Eastern drum classes which are wonderful for musicians or dancers.  This is where many men have enjoyed our classes.  The studio is very family-oriented.

 Q:  How do the dancers move past the beginners’ level?

  ISIS :  Well, the classes have a complete curriculum and at the end of six months they will have learned three choreographed pieces and will perform one of them for family and friends at graduation.  Dancers can move into more advanced classes by demonstrating their mastery of the choreography, technical form and performance.  The dance is a progression and gives our students a goal to work towards.  You can see the confidence that builds as they move through the skill levels.

 Q:   Besides graduation, where else to the ISIS dancers perform their craft?

  ISIS :  The Star Dancers include five performing companies and have won many awards.  They perform in a wide variety of settings from convention centers to professional shows to seminars.  The Wings of ISIS is an elite performing company in which dancers achieve their spot in this beautiful group through audition.  Our troupes provide entertainment at parties, restaurants, special events, corporate meetings and community performances.  They are wonderfully talented and the audience absolutely enjoys their performances:  hula, belly dance, can-can, calypso, even themed-dance.  It is really fun.  We also have a cultural dance team who performs at libraries or schools for educational purposes.

 Q:  Are those performances through the ISIS Foundation?

  ISIS :  Yes.  Our goal with the non-profit foundation is to promote the art of Middle Eastern dance.  We dive deep into the traditional dance forms:  (Andalusian) Fan Dance, Fohbe Danze, Tunisian Pot Dance, Saidi Cane.  We are also in our seventh year of publication for The Chronicles Magazine.  The articles are written by the top performers in the world, as well as those passionate about their craft.  The Chronicles also has advertisers, CD and DVD reviews, news and events.

Q:  It sounds as though research is an important part of ISIS productions?

  ISIS :  Research is everything.  We have maps of areas, authentic costuming, traditional stage names – not to mention the standard we hold for true technical performance of these dance forms.  Without knowledge about the history and tradition behind the dance, we are not professional.  It’s about integrity.

 Q:  Acclaimed dancer, business owner, choreographer, teacher, publisher, non-profit founder – am I leaving anything out?

  ISIS :  I am not bored!  I am a judge at competitions from time to time, and I guess I didn’t mention costume designer.  Belly (Dance) Treasures is our custom costume boutique.  But really, it feels awkward talking about me when I have had the pleasure of being surrounded by so many wonderful people over the years.  I laugh about being awarded to Lifetime Achievement Awards from the industry.  They might actually be unearned, but I am not giving them back!

 Q:  Belly dance took on a life of it’s own for you.

  ISIS :  I think it does that for most people to an extent.  This craft is about accepting your unique gifts and characteristics.  It enhances self-esteem.  In the world, you might feel too tall, too short, too fat, too smart, not smart enough, but here you are just right.  The dance experience has given many the confidence to ask for the promotion or speak in public or feel comfortable in their skin.  Their whole lives improve when they feel good about themselves.  I am so lucky to be a part of that.

 Q:  So, where can people experience belly dance?

  ISIS :  Of course through our studio classes and there are restaurant performances at the Byblos Lebanese Restaurant.  But, the largest event is August 13^th through 16^th – the Yaa (Halla), Y’all, at the Grapevine Convention Center , is four days of Middle Eastern dance with drum seminars and shows.  Renowned dancers from around the world will perform and teach different styles and techniques with amazing shows every evening.  It really packs the house.  It’s an amazing experience for the public, as well as the dancers.  I think the public can have preconceived notions about belly dance before witnessing it for themselves.  It is not sexual.  It is beautiful and sensuous, but it is also technical, difficult and fun.  That is important.  People take themselves too seriously, but you should have enjoyment in your life.  Even it it’s not belly dancing, get out there and find something fun.  Take fun seriously!

 If you would like more information about ISIS and the Star Dancers, ISIS Academy of Performing Arts or The ISIS Foundation non-profit, please call (817) 498-7703.  Or you can visit their website to learn more www.ISISandthestardancers.com.