Pava's name has been synonymous with Belly Dance for 30 years. She has taught, performed, and held workshops throughout the Midwest.  Pava's love for dance began as a toddler when she was surrounded with dance and music;  her mother, Stanika, was a folk dancer and her father, Nicholas, had a Serbian Tamburitzan Band.  Through her youth and adult years, Pava trained and taught all forms of ballet, tap, point, jazz, tumbling, Hawaiian, Tahitian and Gypsy Flamenco dance.  Pava's belly dance career began in 1973 with Charmaine in Chicago.  Through the years, Pava has receiving training from some of the finest internationally known dancers and choreographers in the US and the Middle East including Cassandra, Bert Balladine, Jamila and Suhaila Salimpour, Mahmoud Reda, Horacio and Nourhan Sharif.  Pava continues to broaden her horizons to this day by attending various workshops.  She attributes her longevity to good genes, to never compromising her principles, and to remembering her roots.  Pava's wonderful sense of humor, positive attitude, and openness to new forms of the dance keeps her performances fresh, exhilarating and most of all entertaining. 

Pava states, "I'm truly a blessed woman having a career that has been my passion for all my life and being surrounded by devoted, caring dancers and a supportive family.  I have a loving husband, Jameel.  He is not only my life partner, but also my dance partner. Our son, Nicholas, has been surrounded by music and dance his entire life; therefore, it was only natural that he became an actor and musician. I thank God for my beautiful daughter and best friend, Andreana, for her generous heart, support, outstanding talent and encouragement that keeps me focused and always on my toes!" 

Pava's career has expanded over three decades and she continues to educate and entertain the public with no signs of slowing down.  Furthermore, Pava' has offered her talent to many fundraisers to give back to the community that has openly embraced the art of Middle Eastern dance.  In addition to the dance, Pava also provides a variety of goodies for dancers in her Treasures & More Boutique. 
Belly dance will always keep Pava energetic and young at heart, for it continually refreshens her mind, body and spirit. 

Andreana is sultry, spicy and dynamic.  She has been belly dancing professionally for over fifteen years.  Her diverse style of dance ranges from Classical Egyptian to folkloric to Egyptian Pop. 

Dance and music are in her blood due to her strong Serbian and Lebanese heritage.  Both her parents and maternal grandparents have strong musical and dance backgrounds.  Besides being trained by her mother, Andreana studied with internationally known Suhaila Salimpour, Momo Kadous, Nourhan Sharif, Yousry Sharif, Dahlal and Jillina. 

Andreana had performed weekly at Byblos Fine Dining Restaurant and The Gateway to India in Peoria, IL.  Now, she performs regularly at The Gateway to India in Springfield, IL and One World in Peoria, IL.  She performs in many shows in the Midwest.  She is also available for bellygrams, private parties, conventions and workshops. 

Andreana, along with her mother, Pava, are the co-directors of Pava Productions and The All Saints Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Troupe.  Teaching five days a week

Besides teaching various forms of dance, which include tap, jazz, ballet and Hawaiian/Tahitian, Andreana teaches piano in her home.  In addition, she is the main spokes model for Arnold & Brown Photography.  Andreana is also a catalog model for "Sofi's Stitches," an international Renaissance clothing line, and models for Vote Photography and other agencies.

Andreana has captured a style of her own by using subtle intricacies throughout her performance, dynamic combinations, and high-energy drum solos. Her dancing has been acclaimed as inspiring, captivating and charismatic.  She is truly enchanting and mesmerizing to watch.  Andreana's spirit, poise and passion is expressed through her dancing.  Her future aspirations in life will take her to the top of her dancing career because of her talent, determination and love of the Dance.  She is truly a star on the rise! 

Pava Productions was founded in the late seventies and  has over 50 students and three performing dance troupes:  Troupe Tabia (seen left), The Caravan Dancers and Ciganski Tabor with Rakadu, her live band and singers. 

Pava and Andreana teach folk dances from The Balkans and are the directors for the All Saints Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Troupe.  Besides holding an annual dinner/
show/dance, Pava Productions perform regularly at various public functions such as The Olde English Faire.

1.  What particular styles of Middle Eastern dance (ME) have you studied? 

Andreana and I believe in being diverse and knowledgable in many forms of ME dance; therefore, we do not want to become stereo-typed for just one style.  Andreana's specialty is Raks Sharqi and dynamic drum solos because of her clean and precise moves with much layering.  I prefer the Gypsy style of dance from countries throughout the Middle East and the Balkans.  Plus, I started out performing American cabaret (with always playing zills) in the clubs in the 70's & 80's.  My particular specialty and love was a double scimitar dance balancing on stemmed glasses back in the early 70's.  I believe in showing a variety of dancing with various implements (such as cane, sword, veil, and candles). 
 

2.  Who were your teachers for the ME styles?

Besides myself, Andreana has studied with Suhaila Salimpour, Yousry & Nourhan Sharif, Cassandra, Dahlal, Jillina, and Momo Kadous.  Some of my most memorable teachers were Cassandra, Mahmoud Reda, Bert Baladine, Jamila Salimpour, Horacio, Morocco, Dahlena, Aziz, Dahlal and Nourhan Sharif.  I studied with many more wonderful dancers over the past 30 years of my career.
 

3.  What ME dancers were most inspiring for you?

For Andreana, Suhaila Salimpour and for myself, Cassandra.

The ME and Flamenco styles are similar in the passion of the music and internal interpretation of the dance. Both allow our spirit to come through in our dance.  The Tahitian definitely concentrates on body isolation so that your hip movements appear almost disconnected from your upper body.  Plus, in Hawaiian and Tahitian, your strength is in a dancer's thighs -- whicntha Wolf Productions).  Andreana will be the guest performer for the Bellydancing Superstars Tour in