Current Members:
JeniViva:
Director•Choreographer•Visionary
JeniViva has the distinct pleasure of being one
of the pioneers of an alternative genre of dance:
Gothic Fusion Bellydance.
This genre
blends the old with the new, adding a dark twist of Gothic elements to classic
genres of Bellydance. The fruits of JeniViva’s efforts can be seen in numerous
Gothic subculture magazines and websites across the globe.
She also has been featured on the first ever Gothic
Bellydance Dvd by World Dance New
York and performed in and appeared on the cover of the Gothic Bellydance 2:
Revelations Dvd.
*DVDS are available for purchase in THE SOUK!*
A native New Yorker, JeniViva's dance training
began at 3 years old at the Second Avenue
School in Lower Manhattan.
JeniViva’s training continued over the years: classical ballet with the Rabovsky family, dancing competitively in Jazz
and Modern dance, and exploring her roots by studying Flamenco and Sicilian
Folkdance.
In addition to dance studies, JeniViva also majored in Theatre Arts
at CUNY.
Currently she applies what she's learned on Method Acting to help dancers achieve a deeper, more artful approach to dance and character developemnt.
Here is a flier from her top selling workshop:
Prior to fusing Gothic
music and culture with Bellydance, JeniViva’s passion for Bellydancing was originally founded within
the form of Classic Cabaret Bellydance.
In 2001 JeniViva began her training in Egyptian
Bellydance with such Master teachers as Rayhana, Jehan, and thelate great
Serena Wilson.
Some years later JeniViva found a deeper connection to Turkish Oriental Cabaret Bellydance and also
in the basics of Romani (Gypsy) dance having been heavily influenced bytaking
repeated workshops with Artemis Mourat, Eva Cernik, and Tayar Akdeniz.
Today JeniViva performs and teaches both
Classical Turkish Cabaret and Gothic Fusion Bellydance in NewYork City.
She has also developed her own Gothic Bellydance technique entitled "The
Terpsichore Method©.”
Jeniviva describes it as a technique that
fuses movements of Vict-Oriental, Gothic, Steampunk, Cabaret,
Tribal Fusion, and Ritual Bellydance.
The ultimate fusion of alternative
Bellydance genres with a modern theatrical twist.
JeniViva has appeared on The Conan O’Brien Show, the WB 11, at the House of
Blues, the Rainbow Room, Caroline's on Broadway, and numerous prestigious nightclubs in NYC and New Orleans.
JeniViva's accolades include performing for Jay-Z, Marc Jacobs, Motown Records, Madama Tussaud's, Alma Entertainment, and Esquire Magazine and she recently had the pleasure of being cast as
a featured dancer in the film
Sex in the City part
2.
JeniViva on set of Sex and the City 2
Erica Joan
Erica
is a professional bellydancer and yoga instructor who has been dancing
most of her life. A modern dancer for many years, Erica found her true
passion in Middle Eastern dance in 2003. She felt a strong connection to
the music, movement, rhythms and beauty of this art form and immersed
herself deeply into this style of dance.
Erica has studied with many
prominent teachers including Suhaila and Jamila Salimpour. Her
certifications include a 500 hr. ISHTA Yoga training, Level 2
Certification in the Suhaila Salimpour format, and is also certified to
teach the Yoga Ed. Curriculum to students and teachers in the public
school system in grades K-8.
Currently Assistant Troupe Director of Jeniviva’s Mystical
Hips, her previous experience has included dancing with Lynn Barr Modern
Dance Theater and Public Urban Ritual Experiment. (PURE NYC) Erica has
performed in numerous venues and stages across the United States and
abroad and currently performs cabaret style bellydance in restaurants
and nightclubs in the NYC metro area.
Karen X:
From an early age,
Karen realized the joy and freedom
that dance brought to her life.
She began taking classes in jazz, ballet, and Irish step dancing.
Continuing her passion for movement and creative expression, Karen took her
dance onto the ice and learned the art of figure skating.
A few years later,
Karen returned to ballet classes but still felt a void and was longing for
something new. After seeing one of Jeniviva’s performances in NYC, she
immediately wanted to explore the art of bellydance and began studying with
Jeniviva.
Karen has since evolved into a talented
bellydance artsist. Karen's performances with
the Hips include: Rakkasah East, Spring Caravan, the House of Blues in New
Orleans, the Vampire Ball at Club Element, Shanghai Mermaid, Venus Uprising:
The Zoo, and the New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference.
Maiiah the Snake Charmer a.k.a. Nikki LeVillain:
Performing bellydance
since 1998 and burlesque since 2005. Best known for performing with serpents,
past performances have included private events all over CT, RI, MA, NYC &
New Orleans as well as Endless Night, Convergence, Masque Ball, SWAN Day,
Wasabassco Burlesque's Anniversary shows, REVEALED, Kitty Nights, Starshine
Burlesque and BURLESQUE NOUVEAU to name a few. Also featured in the music video
"Embrace the Gutter" by The Autumn Offering, the DVD "Gothic
Bellydance:Revelations" and the horror movie "The Shriven".
CYN-CYN:
Cyn-Cyn graduated with Honors, studied
Theatrical and Performing Arts at American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)
and The School for Film and Television. Cindy began belly dancing at age 16,
and has studied under several teachers in Texas and California. In New York she
has studied various forms of dance with numerous teachers, including Sarah
Johanson Locke, Jeniviva, Arriellah and currently performs with dance troupe Mystical Hips. Cindy has also taught belly dance in private
lessons and at New York Sports Club. She has also performed at Middle Eastern
cabaret venues in NYC. Cindy has studied many mediums and techniques of visual
art at the Art Students League and the New York Studio School.
Special Guests and Past
Members:
Yasmine (www.yasminebellydancer.com)
Sasha Dolore
Kristi Angel Gabriel
Kelly Rosko
Zahra (www.zahrahashemian.com)
Jasmine Blushes
Lady Isis
Louis Legba
