Katya Faris

Katya Faris has been dancing in the traditions of the Middle East since she was a young girl of 11, and danced with her Persian family and friends in LA. She is the preferred dancer among traditional Middle Eastern venues, and families. She is known for her graciousness and musicality, and has brought people to tears with her emotive interpretation of the music.

She is a dancer adept in many regional Middle Eastern styles, as well as an aspiring scholar in the field of Folklore/Ethnomusicology. Her vast knowledge of authentic dance techniques and musical forms is matched by her subtlety, grace, and personal charm. A typical performance with Katya features her dancing in the traditions of Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, and American cabaret style Raqs Sharqi ("Oriental Dance"), all complete with superb finger cymbal playing and veils. She uses Isis Wings, fanveils, candles, swords and canes for her shows, and is a real crowd pleaser!

Katya's dance background is well-rounded, and she has been called a "dancer's dancer". Beginning with Ballet at the age of 5, she has also studied the Modern dance of Martha Graham. She received her B.A. in International Studies from Buter University, and was lucky to have taken many non-major dance classes in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. Katya began studying Bellydance with Judy Eudaly at the age of 19, and then Faten Ali Munger a year later. Since then she has incorporated the styles of Indian Rajasthani, Persian, Flamenco, and Cuban salsa into her repertoire, and these elements have influenced her style of Belly Dance. Katya's interest in Eastern Mysticism has led her to learn Yoga, as well as incorporating elements of Sufi whirling in her dance compositions. All of these elements make for an enchanting and inspiring performance.

Since 2006 Katya has been under the coaching direction and mentorship of Egyptian Dance Master Mohamed Shahin of Egypt. She has showcased him in three different shows in Bloomingon, Indiana; Mosaic I and II, which Katya produced, and the Indiana University Middle Eastern Festival 2007, which Katya directed. Mosaic II and III were produced by Katya for her Master's Thesis Project in Ethnomusicology, and were held at the John Waldron Arts Center, Bloomington, IN. Mosaic III featured Egyptian percussionist Karim Nagi.

She has taken workshops, master classes, private classes, and/or has been influenced by both national and international instructors such as:

* Faten Munger
* Dalia Carella
* Nourhan and Yousry Sharif
* Mona N'wal
* Laila Gamal
* Ruby Jazayre
* Delilah
* Laurel Victoria Gray



* Elena Lentini
* Marianno Parra
* Robyn Friend
* Jamal of Avaz IDT
* Amani of Lebanon
* Eva Cernik
* Dina of Cairo
* Jasmin Jahal

Ms. Faris' dance experience includes teaching and performing throughout the US, and internationally. She has taught both adults and children the fundamentals of various Middle Eastern traditions of dance in both studios and educational venues. Her performances include appearances at:

*International
*London, England; Persian restaurant
*Gothenburg, Sweden; private corporate event


*US
*Greek and Arabic restaurants and nightclubs in Indianapolis, Chicago, NYC and Los Angeles
*Chicago: Mohamed Shahin Showcase, Juliana's 2006, Alhambra Palace Restaurant, 2008
*Dina Seminar Show in Miami, 2005


*Midwest
* The Indianapolis Museum of Art
* The Cincinnati and Indianapolis Children's Museums
* The Murat Shrine Temple in the Egyptian Room
* The Athenaeum in Indianapolis, Indiana
* The Verizon Wireless Music Center (formerly Deer Creek) in Noblesville, Indiana
* The Indiana State Fair
* The Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, Bloomington, Indiana
* The Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie, IN
* Borders Books and Music in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois
* Various ethnic festivals, benefits, and dance shows

She has performed with the Arabic band, Salaam, as their principal dancer from 1997-1999, and showcased at four of their CD release parties, the annual Middle Eastern Gala, the last one being in 2007. Many of the above performances are with Salaam, as well as the Indianapolis Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, in which Katya was co-director, along with Rebecca Reneau from 1995-1996.

Turkish Sufi musician, Latif Bolat has invited her for performances at:

* Indiana University/Bloomington
* University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana, and
* Ohio State

Katya is currently a dancer at The Saffron Cafe, downtown Indianapolis, IN, and performs there every Thursday from 7-9pm. From 2002-2006 she taught Middle Eastern Dance at Indiana University, Bloomington Campus where she was the Director of the Middle Eastern Dance Program at the Student Recreation Sports Center (SRSC). She is working on her Master's Degree in Ethnomusicology at Indiana University, studying the Ethnography of Middle Eastern Music and Dance. She now teaches groups and private lessons, as well as mentors up and coming professionals. She is preparing to open her own dance studio, the Mosaic Dance Academy, this Fall 2010 in downtown Bloomington.

Katya's performances always generate a great deal of energy and excitement. Audiences have responded to her dances with overwhelming enthusiasm. Her talent and loyalty to an authentic traditional style have proved to be both educational and entrancing.

Anniversaries, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Clubs, Cocktail Parties, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Halloween Parties, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Reunions, School Assemblies, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• We hired Katya for my mother's birthday party, and we were very pleased! Katya's show was a joy to watch, and very professional. We were very impressed with her range of styles, and her costumes were gorgeous! A great show for all ages. I would not hesitate to hire her again, as she adds a sparkle to any party that is incomparable! -- Tami Tomkins, Elkader, IA, 4/15/2011
• I hired Katya for a belly dancing surprise at our wedding. Belly dancing is a tradition from back home that I grew up with and I know good belly dancing when I see it. Katya is beautifuly and did an amazing job communicating the music with her dance. She not only performed well, but brought my wife and I into it, along with energizing our guests. She was flexible with coming to Chicago for our wedding and her fee ws very reasonable. She was a total hit and we would highly recommend her and definitely hire her again. -- Nicholas Kouri, Chicago, IL, 6/13/2011

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