Biography

 

 

 Etoile is artistic director and choreographer of Scimitar Dance Company, Raks Academy Dancers, and 'Lil Raq Stars of Southern California.

Known for her expressive and diverse sense of style, Etoile is frequently seen dancing everything from classical Egyptian to tribal style. Folkloric is her favorite style because "It tells a story and is rich in diverse history" and she also has that bold cutting edge interpretations found in many modern fusion flavors.

Fluent in many different props such as swords, veils, and zills (finger cymbals) that are incorporated in some of her routines, Etoile clearly shows her artistry and talent in the pairing of props and dance. Aside from playing the zills, Etoile also plays the tabla (doumbek), adding to her versatility as an artist in the Middle Eastern arts. Her unparalleled balance, charisma, smile, and grace is what makes her performances memorable.

From a very young age, Etoile has studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, theater arts, and hula. Wherever there was music, Etoile was sure to be always dancing. Throughout her pre-college years, she danced in many smaller dance companies that competed and performed everywhere from stage productions, county faires to nursing homes. Later on, she was a member of the Redlands/Yucaipa Dance and Theatre Company and studied in summer dance workshop intensives throughout Southern California and Las Vegas. Her early stage performances included many solos, pas de deux, and lead parts from well known ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, and many more. She also taught ballet, pre-pointe, modern, jazz, and tap to children of all ages while still in high school.

In College she toured and competed with the nationally known Riverside City College Marching Tigers Band as a member of the dance team. She traveled all over the southwestern United States, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and abroad.

In 2004 after taking several years off, Etoile entered the realm of bellydance with enthusiasm. Not only the glittery costumes and exotic music was what attracted her, but 'how much fun the women were having' was what brought her back to dance again. Within a year and a half she was studying under Aziza Sa'id and soon after was performing solos, coaching, and teaching as well. Beginning with The Cleopatra Club student troupe, Etoile quickly entered in the ranks of Scimitar Dance Company where she is now director of Scimitar Dance Company and also directs the youth Middle Eastern dance troupe, 'Lil Raq Stars. In 2013, she created a new student troupe, Raks Academy Dancers.

Her very first appearance in bellydance was in 2006 at the Great Y Circus in Redlands, California and also made a second appearance in 2008. Recently Etoile and her troupe, Scimitar Dance Company performed a special folkloric segemt in the show "The Evolution of Tribal Fusion Bellydance" presented at the Annenberg Theatre at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Springs California and the "2011 Evening of Riches" professional show of the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive in Las Vegas Nevada. Aside from creating choreography for others dancers, she also collaborates frequently in small ensembles and duos with other dancers. Etoile has performed at many events from San Diego to Ojai to Las Vegas in various showcases, haflas, resturants, conventions, and private parties with her troupes and as a soloist. She had been a member of former national organization, MECDA - Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association and has served as the editor of the members-only online magazine, validating her love of dance, culture and history and supported MECDA events all over Southern California. Currently in addition to her regular classes and gigs, she is team leader (Riverside, California) for the international Shimmy Mob that raises awareness for Domestic violence since 2013 and also is a guest instructor at the University of Redlands Arabic studies program where she lectures, demonstrates the various dances & origins of Middle Eastern dance.

Etoile teaches all ages, adults, children and teens - emphasizing in Arabic style. Classes are open to all and all abilities are welcome!  "Everyone is unique and I enjoy bringing out the joyus discovery of dance in every age." says Etoile. She loves to teach bellydance because it 'does not restrict what the soul feels - dancing is more than good for the soul - it heals'. Etoile continues to expand, grow, take classes/workshops in the Middle Eastern arts, not only in dance, but in culture and history too. Etoile's attention to detail, personal coaching, knowledge, and patience is most noted in her teaching style. Some of her former students are now current dance studio owners who teach and professional performers that continue to excel in the dance arts.