Zaina, known for her charismatic personality, has been performing Middle Eastern Dance for over 20 years.  She currently resides in Vancouver, WA, where she maintains Zaina's House of Dance (a Middle Eastern Dance Studio), produces the Double Crown Belly Dance Competition™  and other events throughout the year, publishes The Belly Dancer Magazine, and directs the dance troupe, The Bedouin Babes.

Over the past 20 years, Zaina has studied with many master performers and musicians in the industry.  Her Egyptian style is supplemented with her own development, The Phoenix Technique, to produce emotionally filled, intensely passionate body movements.  She is well known for her graceful movements and fiery drum solos and has picked up the reputation of being able to interpret La Danse Orientale through non-traditional music. 

Zaina's accomplishment in dance is reflective by the variety of awards received:

• 2001 Headliner of the Year
• 2001 Wiggles and Giggles Winner
• 1998 Entertainer of the Year 1st Runner Up 
• 1998 Wiggles and Giggles Winner 
• 1997 Alternative Stylist-Belly Dancer USA 
• 1995 Miss Belly Dancer USA
• 1995 Alternative Style Winner - Corvallis Classics
• 1993 Alternative Style Winner - Coos Bay Classics
• 1991 Winner - Professional - MED&CA Olympics
• 1990 Alternative Style Winner - MED&CA Olympics 

Zaina currently offers the following workshop plans:

• Optional Workshop (Designed for Specific Needs)
• Three Hour Combined Workshop (The Art of Graceful Movement and Purrrcusion Movement)
• Four Hour Combined Workshop (2 hours each Technique)
• Six Hour Combined Workshop (3 Hours each Technique - two day option)
• Alternative Instruction: Equisite Veil's, Stage Presence, and Competition vs. Show Performance.

1.  What particular styles of Middle Eastern dance (ME) have you studied?
A little bit of everything, but my love is Egyptian Cabaret style and Gypsy is my second. 

2.  Who were your teachers for the ME styles?
Every dancer you see, you learn something from.  In a nutshell, all dancers are my teachers.  My first teachers were Diana and Nefertiti of Phoenix, AZ.  I do continue to take as many workshops as time permits - always honing style and technique.  Masters I have had the opportunity to study with and who have influenced me to the core are Mahmoud Reda, Jamilla and Fatima Al Wahid, Ibrahim Farrah, Fahtiem, Dalia Carella, Suzanna Del Vechio, Amaya, and my forever coach and dear friend, Halima. 

4.  What differences do you see between ME styles and your preferred dance style?
My predominant style is Egyptian, known for its powerful articulated hip work and graceful presentation.  I have been influenced deeply by so many styles of "dance:" ME dance, Hawaiian (Hula), Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, African, Mexican Folkloric, Flamenco, Ballroom, and more as well as my life's emotional experiences.  I have incorporated a little of everything into what I call The Phoenix Technique.  Rather than point out the vast differences in style, I would rather focus on the main similarities and what leads us to come together -- "love and passion" for an Art Form that truly knows no bounds. 

6.  Do you regularly perform at particular places?  If so, where?
Yes, in Portland with Arabesque (featuring Michael Beach of Brothers of the Beladi) at It's a Beautiful Pizza (no snickering) and Vine Leaves as well as A Touch of Athens in Vancouver, WA. 

• The 2nd Annual High Desert Belly Dance Festival  (Instructor, Vendor) -- June 5, Bend, OR; 
•  Wiggle Hips Belly Dance Competition (Dancer, Judge and Vendor) -- July 8-11, Reno, NV;
• Summer Caravan (Vendor and Performer) --      July 23-25, San Francisco, CA;
• The 2004 Hawaii Belly Dance Festival --     August 6-7, Hilo, HI
• The Gods & Godesses of Hawaii Retreat -- August 8-15, HI
• The Double Crown Belly Dance Competition --  September 24-26, Vancouver, WA. 
• Bedouin Bazaar (Instructor and Performer) -- October 9-10, San Diego, CA