Dance CV

Mariza is a Raqs Sharqi / belly dance 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 Boogaloo, a theater belly dance showcase (ongoing since 2012)
  • 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)
  • 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

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