Souzana

Souzana's love of dance goes back as far as she can remember. "My mom used to make me and my sisters nightgowns from tricot and always had a supply of this silky brightly colored fabric around the house. I used to wrap myself up in long pieces of tricot and dance around the house. My life's ambition as a child was to be a Solid Gold dancer". Since Solid Gold never called she settled for Jazz dance classes taught by Kelly King-Price in the little town of South Jordan, UT. In the summer of 1998 she signed up for her first belly dance lesson at "Kismet School of Danse Orientale" in Salt Lake City under the direction of Yasamina Roque. Souzana was inspired to take classes after attending the Utah Belly Dance Festival where she witnessed some of the most amazing dancing she had ever seen performed by women (and men) of all ages, shapes, and sizes. The jingle of coins, the flutter of colorful veils and the exotic sounds of the Middle East drew her in and never let go. This would be a life long love affair.

In March of 2001, Souzana relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska. "I told my husband I wouldn't move to Fairbanks unless there was belly dance". Souzana quickly sought out other dancers in town and joined a group of women that was soon to be known as Tundra Caravan. She is immensely proud of her association with Tundra Caravan and plans to continue the crusade of bringing the wonder and beauty of Middle Eastern dance to the community of Fairbanks.

Souzana taught Middle Eastern Dance at Anne Wien Elementary as part of the after school program during the 2000-2001 school year and Hip Hop at North Pole Elementary during the 2003-2004 school year. In 2004, Souzana choreographed two dance pieces for Healy's Motion Sensors Dance Troupe production of "Arabian Nights". During the summer she can be found performing to live drums with a select group of dancers for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival under the direction of Judy Kreith. Souzana currently teaches a combination tap/ballet/tumbling class to 6-8 year olds and a Teen/Adult Middle Eastern Dance class at Dance Arts Academy and at Dance Theatre Fairbanks. Souzana continues her dance education by attending Middle Eastern dance workshops and taking classes at Dance Arts Academy in tap, ballet, hip hop and break dance where she is an Esprit II performing company member. Some of Souzana's choreography can be seen in the upcoming DTF's production of "Babes in Toyland".

Souzana is known best for her beautiful smile and fun and energetic dance performances.