Elizabeth was one of the first dancers to perform Fusion Belly Dance regularly in the Seattle area in the mid 90’s. She pushes the edge of Fusion Belly Dance, featuring unusual props, subtle storytelling, and eclectic music from all over the world. She is has studied with the Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance and completed the Level 2 certification in the revolutionary dance format, in 2007.
Her dance journey truly found its meaning when she began to teach belly dance classes and realized that her students are her greatest gift for being a dancer.
She started belly dancing while traveling in Australia in the early 90’s. She was living in a small town called Byron Bay and got a chance to watch an exotic belly dancer, dancing with two huge boa constrictors. She was so inspired, she immediately signed up for classes. Upon her return to the States she began two years of intensive studies in ballet, modern dance, flamenco and dance conditioning classes at the Belltown Ballet and conditioning Studio in Seattle, as a supplement to her belly dance training and thus her own brand of fusion belly dance was born.
AWARDS
Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition 2006
Champion, “Tribal Fusion Solo”
Second Runner-Up, “Fusion Solo
TESTIMONIALS
"I was referred to Liz by Belly Dance Superstar, Sharon Kihara. Liz has a deep understanding of body mechanics, movement and an uncanny eye in seeing where you are stuck. Her classes helped me discover unused, subtle muscles as well as much needed stretching and relaxation. She has a way of making a difficult art form look easy and seamless. In attending her classes, I walked away with greater body awareness and an appreciation for soft, subtle movements."
- Sherry Lim, Kung Fu Student and Instructor
“I am still having wonderful inner body experiences and I am happy to say, I do believe I have found my intercostals! How about that! I have been stretching, tuning into my body and putting on belly dance music and dancing around to the "feel" of the music. Truly, you have provided to me the missing link that I haven't learned from any other instructor. You have helped me solve the mystery of why my body never seemed to achieve what I wanted it to do. I would spend hours rehearsing but I knew that even if I did, I would be rehearsing wrong. I am so happy I have you as a mentor, teacher, and friend.”
"As a breast cancer survivor, Elizabeth has helped me find body awareness, flexibility, camaraderie, and given me joy in new discoveries. Elizabeth has provided the missing link I could never find with other instructors - emphasis on dance physiology. Through her extensive knowledge of dance anatomy, strength conditioning, and flexibility, she has opened my world to possibilities that I could not have imagined! I love the changes I feel and see with my body!"
- Diane Norton, Student and Breast Cancer Survivor
"Elizabeth’s explanation of isolations is the most clearly articulated that I’ve heard! I have been taking dance classes for fifty years, including, as a young woman, professional jazz and modern classes in NYC. I appreciate that Liz is realistic with the variety of goals, ages and ability levels amongst her students. She finds a middle range and then coaxes our edge. I also appreciate that Elisabeth draws from a broad international –historic tradition. Her work employs flamenco, modern, mid-eastern and a smattering of other dance forms. Often the warm-up is based in Yoga. But most of all, classes with Elizabeth are fun! Play is definitely in the mix!"
- Marjorie Masel, Beginning Student
"You are the Best!! I've taken classes from several teachers and for me no one compares. Your expertise and ability to break down the movements into understandable pieces, has helped me to learn the right way to do the movements rather than build in mistakes that I continue to repeat. Besides getting my body to do movements I didn't know were possible, the biggest joy in being in your class, has been your sense of humor, laughter, and playfulness that makes the learning fun and enjoyable."
- Judy K., Beginning Student
