Ep 173. Sabah: Ballet & Belly Dance

Ep 173. Sabah: Ballet & Belly Dance

Author: Iana Komarnytska December 21, 2021 Duration: 1:17:13

Sabah has decades of experience in classical, modern, and folk styles of dance. She has worked with the Chicago’s Festival Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Alabama Ballet. She received her degree from Columbia College Chicago majoring in Cultural Studies and minoring in dance with a year abroad at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. There she joined the Egyptian Folkloric Company and received a contract to dance on the Nile Pharaoh cruise ship allowing her to hand-select a band and troupe of dancers. In 2006, she joined the international dance company Bellydance Superstars, directed by Jillina Carlano, and began touring the world performing and teaching workshops highlighting her specialty of combining ballet with belly dance while wearing toe shoes. 

In 2019 Sabah relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles to become the Artistic Programs Manager for Bellydance Evolution.  She has been a contributing choreographer for Bellydance Evolution since 2012.  When BDE was commissioned to produce “Le Voyage de Scheherazade” a multi-national, multi-discipline collaboration between Moroccan, European and American Oriental and ballet dancers with the Orchestra Philharmonique de Maroc, Sabah was the choreographer for all the ballet routines. 

In this episode you will learn about:

- The joy of dancing as a part of a group vs solo performances

- Experience of exploring belly dance at an university environment

- Benefits of ballet training for belly dancers

- The story of creating a fusion belly dance piece with pointe shoes, and joining Belly Dance Superstars

- Sabah’s responsibilities as the Artistic Programs Manager for Bellydance Evolution.

Show Notes to this episode:

Follow Sabah via FB, Instagram and Bellydance Evolution website.

Gift Cards are now available at the Iana Dance Club. Find more info HERE.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast


Iana Komarnytska hosts Belly Dance Life, a podcast that goes far beyond the stage to explore the rich, textured world surrounding this ancient art form. This isn't just about steps and technique; it's a deep, personal conversation about the culture, history, and community that give the dance its soul. Each episode feels like a candid journal entry, weaving together the performing arts with honest discussions on health, body image, and personal growth. You'll hear from dancers, historians, and artists about how this practice intersects with modern society and individual identity. The Belly Dance Life podcast delves into the lifestyle in its entirety-the triumphs, the creative struggles, the cultural appreciation, and the quiet moments of practice that never see the spotlight. It's for anyone curious about the stories woven into the music and movement, offering a nuanced perspective that celebrates belly dance as a living, evolving form of human expression. Tune in for thoughtful reflections that connect the art to the broader tapestry of life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 302

Belly Dance Life
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