The Not-So Boring Version:

A Statement of Purpose.

I pride myself on the fact that I have “made it”, so to speak, on my own, and through the generosity of friends and contacts who saw something in me and my art worth promoting.

I have struggled to be myself, my own dancer, blazing my own path without schmoozing, kissing anyone’s ass, or trying to copy anyone else’s style or look. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been tempted to ask to be part of a festival or show when I thought I might have been overlooked, to join something that would bring me greater visibility in the dance community, or to change my costuming or music just to be noticed… but to do might have meant working with people who I find unsavory, sacrificing a part of my individuality, and ultimately violating my sense of integrity and my fundamental instinctual need to create to honest art.

I never compromised my art to be more well-known. I never once sold out.

I believe that I am doing this the hard way. I am not a member of a famous dance troupe. I don’t have a gimmick. I choose music that moves me tremendously but often annoys the crap out of other people. I have not tried to rub shoulders with famous dancers just to be noticed. I am not a squeaky wheel. I have damaged my body, fighting exhaustion and rehabilitating from injuries. I have cracked my emotional calm over and over again, facing the darkest parts of my psyche, my frustrations, my expectations, and most of all my fear. I haven’t expected opportunities to be handed to me. I do not expect favors. I am unflinchingly alone in my artistic journey, and I am fiercely proud of it.

I have chosen to quietly perfect my technique, to focus on training and conditioning, to build on my artistic convictions, and to be me at all costs.

When I decided to pay less attention to the opportunities that others had, and more attention to my own progress as an artist, that’s when the opportunities started knocking at my door. WorldDanceNewYork asked me to produce a DVD. Marta Vizueta recommended me to teach at DC’s largest non-profit dance studio, Joy of Motion, and they hired me. Saphira asked me to join the faculty at her studio, Saffron Dance in Arlington, Virginia, which after only two years of business has already won “Best New Business” and “Best Place to Work Out” awards for the city of Arlington. Festival promoters around the world have asked me to teach, to perform, and to be a part of their events. And a few years before that, several of my fellow dancers suggested me to WorldDanceNewYork to appear on the first Gothic Bellydance DVD.

I never asked for any of it. But I am so thankful for every producer, dancer, artist, and friend who has offered me a gig, a teaching position, a performance slot, a positive DVD review, a fan e-mail, or a compliment. I have discovered that true gratitude goes a long way, and that, at least in the dance world, karma happens. And I believe that the dancers who stay true to themselves, and who stay humble throughout their careers are the ones who ultimately succeed.

Being true to yourself isn’t easy. It’s perhaps the hardest thing an artist can do. But the rewards are worth the struggle.

This is my statement of purpose… to remain true to my convictions, to never compromise my art to make myself more appealing or popular, to continue to grow and learn and seek knowledge from my mentors and colleagues both in and out of the dance world, and to be an example for dancers who are seeking their own artistic path.

If you had to, right this moment, right your own statement of purpose, on what would you focus?

The Boring Version:

Asharah has been performing since the age of six as a dancer, figure skater, and singer. As a bellydancer, she is best known for her dramatic fusion of tribal and cabaret styles, but also has extensive experience in Turkish, Egyptian and American bellydance. She recently earned her Level 2 certification in the Suhaila Salimpour format, and aims to blend this format with American Tribal Style bellydance. Her technique, musicality, emotional expression, and finger cymbal playing skills have been noted and admired around the world. She is deeply grateful to Alexia (Kim Leary), Artemis Mourat, Suhaila Salimpour, and others who have guided her along the way.

In addition to traveling around the world to teach sold-out workshops, she teaches regular tribal belly dance classes at two of the Washington, DC, area’s finest dance studios, Joy of Motion and Saffron Dance. She released her first instructional DVD Modern Tribal Bellydance, produced by WorldDanceNewYork, in January 2008, which has received excellent reviews from all styles and levels of dancers.  She is also featured on the groundbreaking DVD Gothic Bellydance: The Darker Side of Fusion, produced by World Dance New York. From 2003-2005 she performed with the avant-garde troupe Martiya Possession and before that was a two year member of Raks Odalisque, Princeton University’s Middle Eastern dance troupe. She also provided live percussion and graphic design for Maduro’s debut release Shimmer Sustain, and is the graphic designer for Octofoil Records.

Asharah is not only an accomplished dancer but also has a B.A. in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. Ever since her childhood, Asharah has been deeply interested in Middle Eastern arts and culture. She believes that every belly dancer must know the history and culture of this dance, whether she is performing it in its traditional forms or fusing it with others.