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| PHOTO BY BOBBY WHETSEL |
AH-LAN WA SAH-LAN (Hello)!
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Hello and welcome! I am blessed and so grateful to be returning to our dance community after over 13 months on medical
leave. Those of you who know me are aware that I have been working at overcoming a rare form of abdominal cancer. I am feeling
great now after a long struggle with recovery from surgery. I have chosen to follow a more holistic approach to my healing,
which is an ongoing process. I'm back and ready to dance again - thanks to all of your prayers, donations, love, and positive
energy!
Dance has been a major part of my life since the age of 5, when I began taking ballet at "Grace
Thomas Dance Studio" (now Thomas Dance Studio) in Lake Worth, FL. I studied the classics - ballet, acrobatics, jazz and pointe
for the next 8 years.
Years later, while a University of Florida employee, I was introduced to an incredible variety of international dances.
In 1984, I began training seriously in Middle Eastern (Belly), Polynesian, and Turkish Folk dances. I embarked on a special
tour of Egypt and Morocco (with Turquoise International), in February 1989, to deepen my understanding of the native dances
and music of these countries. Oriental dance luminaries I have had the honor to study with include: Aszmara (NY), Horatio
Cifuentes (Germany), Dahlena (NM), Suzanna Del Vecchio (CO), Myriam Eli (FL), Fahtiem (CA), Kathryn Ferguson (AZ), Halime
(NY), Jenann (PA), Jihan Jamal (FL), Kahreen & Kira (FL), Morocco (NY), Mahmoud Reda (Egypt), Yousry Sharif (NY), Shoshanna
(CA), Zhaleh Fereshteh (FL), and many others.
I have been performing and instructing professionally in Florida and New York, with over 21 years experience in Middle
Eastern Dance. My repertoire includes the classical Oriental style, "Raks Sharqi," as well as indigenous folk styles. I
believe dance is not only entertaining but can be therapeutic, rejuvenating, and spiritually uplifting. My desire is to educate
and bring good will to the world through dance......
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I am delighted that you are visiting my web site! My company is here to provide you with exciting, fun, and professional Middle
Eastern dance performances, choreography, seminars, lectures, and classes. Class and Events Updates will appear monthly,
so check back regularly to see what's shakin' at The Navel Academy!
On this site you'll find information about our activities, classes, services, Oriental dance history, and more. Be sure
to check out my "Favorite Links" page for other dance-related web sites. Dance is my passion and I look forward
to sharing this wonderful art form with you!
Feel free to contact me with your comments and join my mailing list!
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MY DEEPEST THANKS GO TO....
~ my loving mother and biggest fan, Jean Milliman
~ my dearly departed father,
Bruce Milliman
~ my husband/angel/confidant/healer/soulmate/best friend, Bobby Whetsel
~ Jim Stanton, Timothy
W. Swilley and the Atlantic High School Class of 1976
~ our wonderful South Florida community of dancers in Palm
Beach, Broward and Dade Counties
~ David, Julia, and Josh Cronin; Valerie Langley, Dan Pineda, and Nancy Kennedy
of Changing Times Books & Gifts
~ Heather Madden & Maria Komie for teaching classes during my medical absence
in 2006-2007
~ Denise Wickell & Steven White, Changing Times Books & Gifts, Eugenia & Shan, Daniela &
Hip-notic, BellyCraft, Shri-Shambhala, Sunsport Resort community, The Wallflower Gallery, my incredible family, and friends
I never knew I had...for their fund raising efforts to help me overcome cancer, and
....for all the love, inspiration,
support and encouragement you have given me over the years in becoming the dancer I am today! God bless you!
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