1.  Who were your teachers for the ME styles?
My teacher was Mary Dossett Moehler (Karija)  in Seattle WA.  She was co owner of The Beledi Centre for Traditional Belly Dance.  She and her partner, Yasmeen Chesley, studied with Jamila Salimpour.  They called it Traditional Arabic Dance.  I am pretty sure it was the basic Salimpour Technique as they knew it at that time.

Karija was my main teacher (I took only one session from Yasmeen) and I took classes for 2 to 3 years including a teacher training course. This was around 1975.  I studied some folk dancing with her as well and I learned quite a bit of Greek Folk dancing while dancing in the Greek Restaurant/night clubs for 10 years.  I took many workshops with various teachers and retained what I liked, but did not study with anyone else in particular.  My style is really very eclectic. 

2. What ME dancers were most inspiring for you?
My first big inspiration was Aida (who resided in Detroit) --  who was one of Jamila Salimpour's protégés in San Francisco.  I saw Aida dance when I visited the bay area at that time and was taken in by her musicality and technique.  I love watching Elena from N.Y. dance and I was taken by her sincere passion and wonderful technique.  I was also inspired by Delilah of Seattle for her freedom, creativity and stage presence.  I find Horatio and Beate Cifuentes inspiring because they are wonderful dancers who continue to work hard and present wonderful theatre.  There were and are many dancers who are a joy for me to watch, but it is special when a dancer makes me feel something deeper -- when they move me in some way. 

3.  What differences do you see between your preferred dance style and the other ME styles?
I am very eclectic.  I like the Egyptian - classic and pop, good Tribal, and good fusion that makes sense.  I think it is all valuable in some way and I incorporate some of each into my dancing.  I started dancing to Raja Zhar back in the 80's and Kitaro as well when it was not so fashionable to use New Age music.  I was labeled American Style then. 

My style depends on the music and costuming I choose. It is difficult to put a label on someone's style.  You would have to see them dance a lot in many different venues.  I read recently that a particular dancer was  purely American style and I always thought of this dancer as more Egyptian influenced.  Perhaps, it was the music she chose and the costumes she wore to dance to at the particular times that I saw her dance, that made me think this way.   I know dancers that do great fusion and great Egyptian and good "Tribal" too if they want.  What do you call them?

I have always felt that it is important to get a good foundation in Oriental Dance.  You need a good teacher for this and you need to stay with that teacher for a good while until you know what you are doing - learn your finger cymbals and learn how to improvise.  This could take from 2 to 5 years.  Meanwhile, you can supplement your training with workshops and develop your own personal style.  This is how I learned. 

I danced in Greek Restaurants to live music for 10 years.  My dancing was never choreographed.  After that, I learned to choreograph my performances.  I did not like to do that at first.  Now, I like it a lot.  Both have merit and it is important to know how to perform spontaneously and with a choreographed routine.

4. Do you teach classes?  If so, where?
I live and have an ongoing teaching practice in Denver, CO.  I also have a studio in central Denver where I teach 3 Oriental (belly dance) classes  weekly, and have approximately 15 to 20 students in each class.  This includes an Introductory course that I teach approximately 3 to 4 times per year. 

I teach workshops and perform internationally as well.  I spent a lot of time in the 90's traveling and teaching in Germany and Norway and hope to go back soon.  I have a series of Instructional DVD's and one Performance DVD that I market worldwide via my we site and my workshops.  Hopefully, I have influenced many dancers in a positive way as a result of my videos.  They are practice videos to help dancers refine their technique and build a strong foundation.  I recently put my 2 performance VHS videos on one DVD - "Dances from the Heart I and II."  It is important to watch good performances on video often because you "absorb" the dancing.   Watching a performance video is just as important as watching an instructional video.  In addition to Oriental dance, I  study and teach Hatha Yoga in the Iyengar tradition. This has influenced my dancing and teaching style.  It keeps my body and mind strong and limber.

5. Do you regularly perform at particular places?  If so, where?
No.  I was on the nightclub circuit for 10 years.  I learned my craft well doing that and was very glad to let it go.  I liked being able to dance, but I did not like the nightclub atmosphere.  I perform more now on concert stage and this is what I like most.  I do still perform at private parties and art festivals etc. and when I do, it is usually spontaneous dancing to music I know well. 

6.  Do you have any special events and/or workshops coming up in 2004 or 2005?
I continue to teach and perform nationally and internationally by invitation.  I will be teaching in York, PA September 24, 2004.   Then, I will teach at Rakkasah East October 6 & 9 in Somerset, NJ.  In late November, I will be teaching in Miami, FL. 

For 2005, I will be at Rakkasah West in March.  (Contact Shukriya at rakkasah@att.net to register.)  In April, I will be teaching in Orlando, FL and Reno, NV.  (Contact Amy at amy@thebluelotuscenter.com to register for the Florida workshop and Janie Midgley janie@designsbyjanie.com for the Nevada workshop.)  I may be teaching in Dallas, TX in August as well. 

Also, I have an annual dance retreat in the mountains of CO in Grand Lake.  I have been doing this for going on 17 years.  The 2005 dates are July 28 - 31and maybe Aug 4-7.  (The dates may change.)  My CO mountain retreat is my special workshop because I get to spend many more hours with the dancers who come to study with me.  They come from all over the globe.  Many return year after year which makes it more special, as it is such a pleasure to get to know them better especially in such beautiful surroundings.  All this information is on my web site, www.suzanna.vecchio.com.