Mariza is a bellydance artist with 15 years of experience, based in the Ellicott City, MD area. She is half of the award-winning duo io and co-produces the All Seasons Hafla, a quarterly community belly dance show.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Weekly classes through Howard County Recreation and Parks in Ellicott City, MD from 2019-present
- Weekly classes at the MAC Harbor East in Baltimore, MD from 2011 to 2017
- Directed the Lazuli Dance Company from 2011-2019
Selected specialty teaching engagements:
- USO Ladies’ Night, Fort Meade MD (2015 – click here to read the Sound Off! article about the event)
- Day of Dance at Morton Street Dance Center, Baltimore MD (2014)
- Community Dance Workshop sponsored by Dance Baltimore, Baltimore MD (2013)
- Howard County Community Dance Festival, Columbia MD (2012)
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Mariza has performed at corporate events, local showcases and venues, and regional festivals since 2008 as both a soloist and group dancer. Selected performances:
- Art of the Belly Festival, Ocean City MD; soloist (2019)
- Fez Tones Live Music Hafla, Greenbelt MD; soloist (2018)
- Artscape, Baltimore MD; as part of io, award-winning duo (2017)
- “Asia After Dark,” Smithsonian Freer & Sackler Galleries in Washington DC; as part of Barakaat, professional dance company (2011 – click here to read Mariza’s interview with the Smithsonian)
PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
- Shimmytastic annual theater belly dance showcase (2012-2018)
- All Seasons Hafla, a quarterly belly dance recital (ongoing since 2017)
- Bellydance workshops with a variety of visiting instructors, including international instructors
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND AWARDS
- Belly Dance Cohesion Stage 1 Instructor (June 2019)
- Belly Dance Cohesion Stage 1 Enrichment Course (May 2019, May 2020)
- East Coast Classic 2018 Overall Troupe Winner and Troupe Peoples’ choice, as part of io (January 2018)
- Performance coaching with Ruby Beh (2017-2018)
- Licensed SharQui® Instructor (2016-2018)
- Belly Dance Teacher Training with Belladonna (2014)
- ShimmyFit Level 1 Teacher Training (2012)
- Suhaila Salimpour Format Level 1 Certification (2010-2014)
- American College of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer Certification (2010-2013)
- Regular classes with Shems; founding member of Shems’ troupe, Barakaat (2008-2013)
SPECIALTIES
- Finger cymbals (zills, sagaat)
- Choreography creation and coaching
- Working with troupes/groups