About Athena
Athena is a professional performer and teacher if Raqs Sharki (Middle Eastern Dance). As an instructor, she is known for her clear communication style and keen ability to break down difficult movements into easy to comprehend concepts. In February 2006, she and several likeminded individuals founded Arabian Lights Dance Company, a non profit organization with a mission to entertain and educate the public about the beauty of Middle Eastern dance. While serving as Artistic Director of ALDC, Athena also taught weekly classes and workshops throughout the Eastern Shores of Delaware and Maryland.
The art of Middle Eastern dance has been a long lived passion of Athena’s. She first fell in love with performing Raqs Sharki in 1977 in Texas. She has studied a wide variety of Middle Eastern dance styles under the direction of numerous great artists. Additionally, Athena frequently travels the USA and overseas to stay abreast of current trends in the industry. In doing so she furthers her knowledge of the culture and improves the technique and authenticity of the various forms of the dance she teaches. Her most recent trip included an engagement in Istanbul and Cairo where she performed at the International Ahlan Wa Sahlan Dance Festival. There she was also able to study with masters from all over the world during a weeklong intensive workshop.
In January 2009, Athena relocated to Florida, where she continues spreading the joy of Middle Eastern Dance by offering belly dance classes and workshops and plans to form a southern chapter of Arabian Lights Dance Company.