Spotlight on Zondra...

As I sit in Starbucks, awaiting the arrival of my first REAL interviewee, I’m struck by just how necessary this process may be.  I’ve known so many of the local dancers for years now and can’t believe just how much I DON’T know about them.  Well, I guess that is about to change.  I look up and see that my first “victim” has arrived!

Enter Zondra Mele!  She arrives looking so different from when she is performing on stage, all done up in makeup, glitter and sparkles, that I have to smile.  She still looks lovely, dressed in jeans, a brown turtleneck sweater and heels.  She smiles and we hug.  Then she’s off to get a green tea frappuccino.  I smile, I love those too.

As she sits down by me, we chat about our day so far.  She had just come from work and would be going back to it after our meeting.  I explain to her the reason behind our meeting and the thought that had come to me that morning – the idea of an interview series.  She thought it was a great idea and was onboard!  And so we began…

What first got you interested in Belly dancing and when?  I saw the Bellydance Superstars back in 2006/7 when they came through Augusta and when I went to visit my aunt in Panama, who bellydanced, she set up with private lessons for me.  After that, I attended a workshop or two, learned from some YouTube videos, etc.

Who was your first instructor/where?  I first took lessons with Kareena in Panama, then some workshops, &, locally, with Kendra.

How did you feel during your first performance or when you were first able to make sense of the dance?  Well, I’ve been performing since I was 5 years old (tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, pointe), but when I got to create my own piece, it was a magical moment, like this is my interpretation. Also, making personal contact, connecting with audience.

Where did you grow up?  Martinez, GA.  I’ve lived in the same house all my life.

What is something fascinating about you that no one, or very few, knows about you?  I’m an only child, love to ride horses, I have a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and love to travel.  Also, I’m extremely shy and have a massive fear of talking in front of people, but I don’t have a second thought about dancing in front of a million people.

What’s your biggest fear?  I’m terrified of flying but hide it well.  I’m a nervous wreck during take-off and landing.  Also, I’m terrified of deep water which is why I’d never take a cruise.

What are your dreams for the future – where do you see yourself in the dance in 3, 5, 10, 20 years? Hopefully inspiring others to step out of their own box and try new things, get up and dance.  Hope to still be performing and have that fire/passion for the dance.

Do you teach?  If not, would you ever consider teaching?   I teach private lessons on occasions.  My real job interferes with my dance life.

What do you do in the “muggle” world?  I’m a Mental Health Counselor for Children and Adolescents.  (**Heads Up - She started in pre-med but changed her mind, and her major, after reading a psychology book.**) 

Where do you get your costumes?  Do you make any?  My aunt makes several of my costumes (she’s a clothing designer), eBay, (“yay, eBay!”), bits and pieces were gifts, and I’ve made one or two pieces.

What music inspires you?  Anything and everything.  It all depends on the mood, sometimes a mellow song and sometimes something with a good driving beat.

What do you absolutely HATE about the dance world? D R A M A! 

What do you absolutely LOVE about the dance world?  The sense of community, especially with bellydancing, more of a sense of connection, the range of music, self-expression, and, of course, the COSTUMES!!

Are you a soloist or do you dance with others or a troupe?  And which troupes have you danced with?  My very first belly dance performance was a duet with Kareena for my aunt's birthday.  Then when I first started in Augusta, I was with Envey, and now I'm a soloist. 

Where do you find choreography inspiration? Anywhere and everywhere in the community, other dancers/dances, YouTube (LOVE YouTube), clubs, & the shower (the choreography black hole).  Really!  You come up with great choreography in the shower and as soon as you step out, it’s gone.  Step back in and it’s back, step out and it’s gone.

What types of movement are you drawn to?  Absolutely everything.  Depends on mood.  When watching other dancers and the movement fits their personality and they are feeling it, it draws you in but if they are just going through the moves, you can tell.

Other than bellydancing, what types of dance do you like?  Salsa, Bachata, Latin Ballroom, Cha-cha, Jive, Rumba, Swing, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Lyrical/Contemporary

What “style” of bellydance do you most associate yourself with – Cabaret, Tribal, Folkloric, Fusion, Orientale?  That goes back to whatever I’m feeling that day – darker then dark fusion, light and happy then cabaret, etc.

If you were suddenly unable to dance, would you continue in the dance world somehow, or would you just give it up?  ABSOLUTELY!  I would find a way!  Even if it’s choreographing and then just finding someone to set it to, putting together shows/haflas, etc. 

How long have you been dancing/bellydancing?  I’ve been dancing for about 25 years and bellydancing for 5-6 years.

If you were to do something completely shocking or out of character with absolutely no consequences, what would it be?  I would run away & get married, elope with some random man, a la Vegas Night, a Carrie Underwood moment.  LOL.

If you were stranded on a desert island, whom would you like to be with and what one thing?  My mom because we can talk until I’m blue in the face and Michael Phelps because he’s pretty to look at – eye candy- plus good swimmer and could probably fish for us.  The one thing would have to be my cell phone so I can Skype everyone.  Otherwise, if no cell service or electricity, then my little stuffed pig, “Piggy”, that I’ve had since I was 4 years old. 

What is in your dancers bag?  What has to be in there?  Double-sided tape for keeping the girls secure, extra undies, makeup, bobby pins, safety pins, change of clothes, extra pair of shoes like lyrical sandals, random jewelry from random costumes that haven’t been taken out, scissors, needle & thread, & a backup CD!

After all my questions had been asked, I found myself feeling quite fulfilled with this time with Zondra.  While enjoying a cup of hot Vanilla Rooibos tea and the awesome 40’s style music Starbucks has playing for ambience, I’ve learned a lot about someone I now know so much better.  I smile.  We both get up and try to ignore the older couple that sat down by us shortly before the interview ended (and whom I secretly feel had been eavesdropping on our conversation J ), and head to the door.  Once outside, we say goodbye, promising to do this again soon, hug and head back to our “normal” lives.

So, where will The Spotlight shine next?  Are YOU game??

The Spotlight on Karen (me)

The first thing that hits me is just how nervous I am to interview myself.  How strange that is.  It’s kind of like playing a game of chess with yourself, you know the moves you are going to make before you make them and thus what the counter move will be.  It is the same with the interview process.  You know what you are going to ask, so you already know the answer, and then you know the follow up question.  It nearly borders on the schizophrenic, lol.  However, I decided I should be the first “guinea pig” in this little adventure since, “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander” and all that,right?  And so I begin…

 

Where did you grow up? Duluth, MN – VERY cold, but beautiful in the spring and summer.

What first sparked your interest in Bellydancing and when?  I first started bellydancing in the late 90’s.  I had a really good friend who danced at a Greek restaurant.  I LOVED watching her dance.  She was mesmerizing!  She taught me a few moves in her living room over a few weeks and helped me with my first improvisational solo (which was at a Halloween party at my house and one of the reasons I “landed” my hubby).  It was years later, after my first child was born, that I attended my first real bellydance class in an attempt to get some exercise to lose the baby weight.

Who was your first instructor/where?  My first FIRST was LeAnn in Duluth, MN, but my first REAL teacher was Christine Mangelly here in Augusta in March of 2000.  I was HOOKED!

How did you feel during your first performance or when you were first able to make sense of the dance?  It was Magical.  I was so nervous at my first performance, but felt instantly ALIVE knowing I was involved in something so mysterious and, again, magical.  I was hooked!  When I first began “getting” the movements, it was a like a door had been opened for all kinds of possibilities.

What is something fascinating about you that no one, or very few, knows about you?  Hmmm, I used to be a security officer in a hospital as well as a medical lab technician and had a brief stint in the military.             

What are your dreams for the future – where do you see yourself in the dance in 3, 5, 10, 20 years?  I would love to still be dancing and teaching.  Not only that, but I’d like to be such a good drummer that I’d be able to come up with fantastic drum solos for dancers.  ;)

Do you teach?  If not, would you ever consider teaching?  Yes, I teach beginners bellydance (Bellydance 101) at hip2hip Studios as well as drumming class.  I am also considering teaching a costuming/sewing class/workshop with Jana Ashing.

What do you do in the muggle world?  In addition to teaching dance classes at the studio, and sewing costumes, I also work with Mahea on 80sk8 in the administrative and embroidery end of things.  Not to mention a mom of two and a military wife of over 15 years.  J

Where do you get your costumes?  Do you make any?  I have bought a few costumes over the years, but, out of necessity and preference, I sew most of my costumes.  I have also sewn custom costumes for Asuhndree as well as for other individuals.

What music inspires you?  Middle Eastern music, some contemporary, alternative, occasionally a dubstep or hiphop song will speak to me.  It really depends on my mood.

What do you absolutely HATE about the dance world?  Cattiness and drama.

What do you absolutely LOVE about the dance world?  The emotion that can be created simply by interpreting music through moving the body.  I also love both the regimented movements of Hula/Ballet and the interpretive, semi-free movements Bellydance allows.

Are you a soloist or do you dance with others or a troupe?  And which troupes have you danced with?  I am a soloist but also dance with Asuhndree.  I have danced with Christine Mangelly’s troupe, also a troupe in Germany led by a Turkish lady named Aynur, and before moving back to Augusta, I danced with Janette in Monterey and the Park Avenue Dancers.

Where do you find choreography inspiration?  What types of movement are you drawn to?  The music is usually what drives my choreography. I do what the music tells me to do.  Although every now and then I feel a certain movement needs to be in a choreography so I try to make it fit.  As to the types of movements I am drawn to, those would usually be soft, subtle movements but also those with sharp accents. 

Other than bellydancing, what types of dance do you like/perform?  I also dance Hula.

What “style” of bellydance do you most associate yourself with – Cabaret, Tribal, Folkloric, Fusion, Orientale?  I would say I am most closely associated with Cabaret, specifically American Cabaret with maybe an Egyptian influence, but am drawn to other styles depending on the music.  If the music moves me, then I am moved to dance in that style.  Dancers like Ansuya, Aziza of Montreal, Fahtiem, as well as my former instructors have all influenced my style.

If you were suddenly unable to dance, would you continue in the dance world somehow, or would you just give it up?  I’ve had to face this exact situation not long ago, though I am happily recovering and am on the way back to dancing again, I did have to adapt.  I could not imagine my life without this dance somehow in it so I took up drumming.  I knew I could drum and still stay seated, thus saving my injured knees. 

How long have you been dancing/bellydancing?  Off and on for over 13 years.  Though I did do some ballet and tap as a child.

If you were stranded on a desert island, whom would you like to be with and what one thing?    That is difficult, but most definitely my hubby and, I guess if there's electricity, my Nook, I love to read!

What is in your dancers’ bag?  What has to be in there?  Must haves are always safety pins, Tylenol/Deep Blue cream for ouchies, backup music, a veil or two, glitter (loose or spray), hair brush & hair spray, makeup bag, plus some catpaws.

 

In wrapping up my interview with myself, I have to laugh a bit.  This has been a silly thing for me to do.  I much more enjoy finding out about other people than opening up about me.  So as I embark on this journey for knowledge of my fellow dancers, etc, I look forward to my next subject.  Without a doubt she (or he) will be a much better conversationalist.

 

So, who will The Spotlight shine on next?  Are you game??

 

What The Spotlight is about.

The Spotlight will be highlighting talent in the Augusta, GA (CSRA) and surrounding area.  The subjects of these interview pieces are everyday people like you and me who have a talent in either dance or music and this is a way to get to know them a little better.

The idea of The Spotlight came to me when I had a nagging desire to get to know a fellow dancer better.  It was a curiosity.  I know many of the dancers and musicians in the CSRA, and have so for many years, but realized I didn't really KNOW them - their history, their lives, THEIR story. 
Each of us has a unique set of events which brought us to this point in our lives.  I was curious to know those events.  And I figured, if I was curious, perhaps others would be curious too.  :)

So, for the next several however long it takes, I will be conducting interviews, purely on a volunteer basis, in an attempt to "get to know you" better.  "The Spotlight" will shine on you.  :)

I will be the first "guinea pig" in this little venture, although I already have another interview done and several others lined up.  I figured, we'd start with me and go from there.  LOL. 

One thing I resolve on The Spotlight, is to make this a positive thing.  I will strive to avoid anything negative.  There is so much negativity already in this world, we don't need to add to it.

So, where will The Spotlight shine next?  Are you game??