close
Sohaila International
Welcome to Sohaila International, Belly-Dancing Boutique, Online Store & More!
Shopping Cart
Your Cart is currently empty.
Featured Products
BellyRobics Vol I
$22.99 |
Figure Eight Patterns From Head To Toe
$22.99 |
About Sohaila 
Sohaila CV
Sohaila CV
| Sohaila CV |
JoEllen Handelsman, aka "Sohaila"Middle Eastern Dance Performer, Instructor, Choreographer
P.O. Box 46-1062 Escondido, CA 92046-1062 Studio 760-743-1235 Cell 760-519-9615 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it SohailaInternational.com ZybaDesigns.com Middle Eastern Dance - Belly Dance An ancient and diverse art form with direct and relevant health benefits for today's busy lifestyle. It is a universal art of spirituality and self expression that enhances self esteem, while building and sustaining a healthy physique. Personal Goal I strive to preserve and promote the art of belly dancing by entertaining, teaching, and training others to experience this dance form-with passion, class, elegance, and style. Objectives To provide a challenging and fun learning experience, focusing on the joy of dance. To emphasize a building block approach from the basics to advanced techniques in the Classical Egyptian style of Middle Eastern dance. To emphasize correct technique and execution of moves, proper body alignment and awareness, and muscular focus and control. Qualifications I have been professionally performing 26 years and teaching for 10 years. A natural entertainer, instructor, and choreographer, my infectious enthusiasm has helped inspire thousands of women and men of all ages, body types, and fitness levels to enjoy and celebrate the culture and benefits of Middle Eastern dance. A true cultural ambassador, I do more than merely teach dancing-my on going education in Egypt and appearances nationwide and internationally, with extended booking and special appearances the US, Paris, Germany, Greece, Syria, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico have allowed me insight into a wide variety of cultures and ethnic dances from around the world. Performing and teaching on cruise ships, and dancing for dignitaries, Presidents, Ambassadors, and Royalty has given me uncommon exposure and experience in the world of dance. Among my key achievements, prior to 1984, there were no performers/or instructors in the already diverse country of Mexico. I was the 1st belly dancer to perform in Middle Eastern Restaurants. I began giving private lessons in 1989. I have received instruction and training from a diverse set of world famous dancers, both in the US and Egypt, which has exposed me to some of the finest dance techniques as well as teaching techniques to enhance my performance and pass on to my students. Since 1998 I have been teaching Middle Eastern dance throughout San Diego County: Poway Adult Education; Learning Annex; Palomar College Community Education; Palomar College Adjunct Faculty Staff; workshops; seminars; and my own dance studio, "Zyba Academy of Artistic Dance," located at the Center for the Performing Arts, Escondido. In 1999, I established, organized, and directed my first dance extravaganza. It has now grown to be the biggest Middle Eastern dance event in San Diego County, showcasing a variety of talent including my own students. Since 1994, I have produced numerous instructional DVDs covering the various aspects of Middle Eastern Dance including general fitness and health, and I have appeared in several performance DVDs. In 2006 I made the first dance workbook of it's kind, now mandatory in my dance classes. In 2000, I established Sohaila International Promotions. I felt the need to show the public what Middle Eastern Dance is, to promote, enhance, and educate this beautiful art. In 2006 I developed and trademarked ZYBA Designs. I design exclusive costumes and accessories as well as one of a kind jean purses that anyone can use. From 1998-2006 I was the President of SAMEDA, the San Diego Middle Eastern Dance Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the research and promotion of Middle Eastern dance and music. Education 1981-82 Studied Middle Eastern dancing under Shamiram Peck, Seattle, WA 1983-84 Studied Criminal Justice, Palomar College, San Marcos, CA 1985 Studied under Cindy Sobran, Mexico City, Mexico 1986 Studied under Shareen El Safi, Los Angeles, CA 1990 Studied under Raqia Hassan, Cairo, Egypt 1996 International Correspondence School, Certificate in Fitness and Nutrition 2000-Present Studied under Dr. Mo Geddawi & Dr. Hassan Khallil, Cairo, Egypt Appearances 1984-97 Sheraton Damascus Hotel, Damascus, Syria 1984-2004 Adonis Restaurant, Mexico City, Mexico 1985-86 Byblos Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA 1984-87 Hajji Babas Restaurant, San Diego, CA 1985-86 El Amir Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA 1990-91 El Amir Restaurant, Toluca, Mexico 1998-2003 Caesar's Café, San Diego, CA 1998-2003 Greek Palace Restaurant, San Diego, CA 1987 Sultans Palace Restaurant, Houston, TX 1989 Casino Du Liban Restaurant, Paris, France 1989-91 Meridian Nile Hotel, Cairo, Egypt 1991 Sonesta Nile Cruise, Cairo, Egypt 1993 Forte Grande Hotel, Amman, Jordan 1993 Claridge Hotel, Dubai, UAE 1993-96 Sun Line Cruise, Pireas, Greece 1993-97 Ali Babas Restaurant, Voula, Greece 1998-Present Sohaila's Annual Dance Extravaganza, San Diego, CA 2002 Belly Dance Cruise, Carnival Cruise line, Miami, FL 2002-2005 India Taj Restaurant, San Diego, CA June 2005 Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA Current appearances 2000-Present Dance performances in venues as Street Faires, Conventions April 2007 VIP performance for Dead Sea Scrolls presentation at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 2007 Claire de Lune Café, San Diego, CA Instructor 1989 Private and group, Mexico City, MX 1993-1996 Sun Line Cruise Ship, Pireas, Greece 1998 Poway Adult Education, Poway, CA 2000-2006 Learning Annex, San Diego, CA 2003-Present Palomar College Community Education, San Marcos, CA 2006-Present Palomar College Adjunct Faculty Staff, San Marcos, CA 2002 Dance Workshop in Miami FL 2003 Dance Seminars in Mexico City, MX 2004-Present Zyba Academy of Artistic Dance, Escondido, CA. 2002 Belly Dance Cruise, Carnival Cruise line, Miami, FL 2006-Present Cal-a-vie Resort and Spa, Vista, CA Film, TV, Magazine, DVD Credits 1983 ECO TV, Mexico City, Mexico 1987 A Bird in the Sky (Arabic Film: Asfool Fi Sama), Beverly Hills, CA 1993 "Sohaila Live", Performance DVD, Mexico City, Mexico 1998-Present Sohaila's Annual Dance Extravaganza, Performance DVD; Produced by Sohaila International Promotions, San Diego, CA 2000 Basics to Belly Dancing, Instructional DVD BellyRobics, Instructional DVD Yoga and the Art of Belly Dancing, Instructional DVD Belly Dancing for the Single Woman, Instructional DVD Belly Dancing for the Boudoir, Instructional DVD Gestalt's Guide to Julian, various interviews of shops and cafes in Julian; Produced by Video Technics and Sohaila International Promotions 2003 Belly Dance Divas, Performance DVD; by Goldhill Productions, Burbank, CA 2003 Academy Award nominee for Best Modern Egyptian Dancer of the Year by IAMED (International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance). 2003 Nominated for Best place to Learn how to Shake Your Belly 2003 by San Diego Reader Magazine. 2005 The Art of Ultimate Pleasure, Instructional DVD Belly Dancing for the Voluptuous Woman, Instructional DVD Figure Eight Patterns from Head to Toe, Instructional DVD Diagram Patterns to Enhance your Dance, Instructional DVD Shimmies, Moves and More, Instructional DVD Dance Fusion for Cool Children, Instructional DVD; by Infinite Possibilities & Sohaila International Promotions, San Diego, CA 2007 American High School (featured in), Palm Springs, CA |
