"PANGIA - Hypothetical land area believed to have once connected the landmasses of the southern hemisphere with those of the northern hemisphere. The name expresses our desire to play music from all around the world for everyone!"

PAT OLSON

Pat Olson began studying the ‘oud with John Bilezikjian in 1992 and has been performing World & Middle Eastern music ever since. He has been involved in the World of Belly Dance since 1990 performing at private and public engagements all over Northern California & the West Coast accompanying Denise for her dancing & as the group “PANGIA”.  Pat is an accomplished vocalist , guitarist, sound & lighting tech, having performed in many musicals, vocal jazz groups as well as toured all over the world with a performing group demonstrating his many talents. He collects, builds, repairs and plays many different instruments and has written several pieces of original music for Belly Dancing . Pat also arranges, records and mixes music at his studio '41 degrees North'. Pat also builds homes and currently creates custom stone and granite countertops

DENISE

Denise, is the Keyboard & Zil player for “PANGIA” and was the co-founder of the original and award winning Troupe Mandala. Currently, the Director of Troupe Mandala, California, she has danced, taught workshops & played keyboards & zils all over the West Coast, as well as the East coast and for the past eight winters, performed in Mexico, along with OUD player Pat Olson.  She has presented quality Shows & Workshops in both Shasta & Siskiyous Counties, sponsored by the Arts Councils & teaches classes locally at College of the Siskiyous. Denise also teaches workshops along with Pat for the Rakkassah Festivals West, East & Spring Caravan.  The co-producer and artistic director of PANGIA’s 6 CDs., in her “spare” time, she is a free lance writer for several Belly Dance Publications, designs & creates costumes,grows prize winning herbs in her organic garden, and likes to cook and SCUBA dive, but not simultaneously!

CARMINE T. GUIDA

Carmine is an accomplished instructor, teaching doumbek both nationally and internationally. His students compliment his lively and engaging teaching style and his ability to make complex technique and intricate rhythms easy to learn. In addition to playing on 4 of Pangia’s CDs, Carmine is a member of several music ensembles including Middle Eastern fusion group "Djinn" and traditional music group "The Turkish Band Camp All Stars". Carmine's music has been featured on several CDs and DVDs as well as prime time TV. shows. Carmine is 'dancer friendly' and we enjoy recording and performing with him