Judges score sheets

2010 Jewel of the Sierra Judges

Monica is a San Francisco, California based dancer and instructor with nearly two decades in Middle Eastern Belly Dance. She has an extensive performance history as both a soloist and an award winning troupe dancer and director. Monica teaches several group classes a week at the San Francisco Dance Center . More information on upcoming performances, workshops, and classes can be found at www.monicaraqs.com.

Tanya originally from Ohio, has been a belly dancer her whole life. She grew up studying all forms of dance at her mother’s dance school. She has owned and operated dance schools in Ohio and Florida and also trained and choreographed for her competitive dance team that competed all over the United States.

Tanya has been belly dancing professionally since the age of nine. She studied under many prominent teachers growing up such as, Ibrahim Farrah, Morocco, Serena and Dahlena among all of the foreign dancers traveling to teach throughout her area.

Tanya has traveled the world to perform and study. Being a classically trained dancer as well, she is now living in Las Vegas performing not only belly dancing but as a showgirl and dancer for shows, events and corporate parties. She has worked every major hotel and performs often for celebrity parties and choreographs for many event companies. She works as well in a stage production with her fiancé Joaquin Ayala, a prominent illusionist, in their own show which has taken them to numerous countries to perform. This show combines the art of magic with the art of belly dance in a full revue show.

Currently, Tanya is focusing on putting together a touring show for belly dancers to do what she loves with her very talented friends.

Phillip Gabriel is a singer and oud player originally from Cairo, Egypt. His lifelong love of music led him to play several instruments before settling on the oud as his preferred way to express himself musically, as well as to accompany his singing. He arranges Middle Eastern classics both for listening and for belly dancing. He has conducted workshops in dancing to live music and has coached American belly dancers in their interpretation of Middle Eastern music. Philip partnered with Cynthia Rutherford in 2000 to form “Flowers of the Nile” band. Their live performances frequently feature professional belly dancers and other musicians accompanying on various instruments. Philip’s song arrangements can be heard on Flowers of the Nile’s 2008 CD, “Egyptian Classics.”

Cynthia Rutherford has pursued an interest in Middle Eastern arts and music for over 25 years. She was a belly dancer in the San Francisco bay area, then joined troupe Raks Orientale of Sacramento, winning the Belly Dance Troupe of the Year award. Seeking to increase her knowledge about music, Cynthia switched her artistic energies to Middle Eastern percussion in the early 1990s. After studying with several notable bay area drummers and developing performance skills, she became lead percussionist in “Flowers of the Nile” band in 2000, collaborating with Philip Gabriel (the band’s other core member) in creating unique arrangements of Middle Eastern classics. The band has been active in the bellydance community for many years, accompanying soloists and troupes at dance showcases throughout northern California. They have been one of the regular featured live bands at Rakkasah West Middle Eastern Dance Festival. Their diverse engagements have included international and cultural festivals, educational and theatrical presentations, and receptions for the Egyptian embassy. Their CD, “Egyptian Classics”, was released in January 2008. Cynthia believes it is important to include music/rhythm study in the overall training and education of a successful dancer.

Minya bint Tahari is a world fusion style belly dancer from Reno, Nevada. She is a member of Asha World Dancers which celebrates 12 years as a troupe this year and is Artistic Director for the student troupe, Hipswitch. She currently teaches at Truckee Meadows Community College www.tmcc.edu. She is also the Artistic Director of her two beautiful children, Kiernan and Alexia, who she’s grooming to take over the world. Asha means Life and to Minya, dancing IS life! www.ashaworlddancers.com or www.facebook.com/chris.gearycarver

 Hala has been dancing to the rhythms and melodies of the Middle East since she was a child in Alexandria, Egypt. Praised not only for the authenticity of form and style but also for the immaculate rhythms of her choreographies, Hala, a native of Egypt, has risen to be one of the most authentic dancers today captivating audiences with her passion and energy. Hala performs solo and with her troupe.  They present and educate the public about the wide spectrum and richness of Middle Eastern dance (aka belly dance).  Hala has been performing and teaching her native dance all over the world since 1997.  She taught Middle Eastern dance through the Dance Dept at Stanford University in 2007; which was the first time one of the top Universities endorses Middle Eastern dance as part of its dance curriculum!  The “Hala Dance Troupe” was selected from over 115 dance companies to represent Middle Eastern dance at the prestigious San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival in 2004.  In 2005, Hala performed with master percussionist Hossam Ramzy in London, England and presented her native art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts in celebration of the King Tut exhibit.  In 2006, Hala opened Halanda Studio in San Jose where they offer classes in many international dance styles.  In addition to performing & teaching, Hala leads annual dance tours to Egypt, hosts dance workshops and shows by Master Egyptian teachers & provides information, performances and assistance to schools, cultural institutions & magazines on the origin and survival of this beautiful art form.  For more information, please visit www.HalaDance.com

(2009 Jewel of the Sierra Winner)

Khalilah is professional belly dancer from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is house dancer for many popular Middle-Eastern restaurants in and around San Francisco, and performs regularly at both local and national dance and cultural events. Her life-long study of music and the performing arts have contributed to a great sense of individuality and musicality in Middle Eastern dance, with an emphasis on improvisation and audience interaction. She credits her inspiration greatly to both stars of the Golden Age of raqs sharki and modern Egyptian artists, as well as her coaches, all highly-respected members of the dance community, Yosifah Rose, Najia Marlyz and Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan. She is an award-winning dancer for both her solo and past troupe work.

Maria is an award-winning professional belly dancer from San Francisco Bay Area. She can be found performing regularly at popular Arabic, Persian and Turkish venues and events and teaching oriental dance classes. Her elegant and cheerful dance style made her a sought-after entertainer in the Middle Eastern community. Maria is featured on several performance and instructional bellydance DVDs. In 2009 she won a title “Belly Dancer of the Year”. Website: www.orientdancer.com

Mychelle Crown is an award-winning, nationally recognized Bellydance Performer/Instructor and Professional Fitness Consultant in the Sacramento, CA area. Mychelle performs regularly at the city's finest events and Middle Eastern Restaurants. She is currently House Dancer at Marrakech Moroccan Restaurant, where she can be seen weekly, and can also be seen at Maalouf's Taste of Lebanon. Mychelle makes every show a memorable experience; combining grace, technique, and empowered sensuality. As a well-respected and formally trained instructor, it is Mychelle's goal to share with the world the peace of mind and strength of body gained through mind/body wellness!

Sapphira