Biography
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Laurel discovered bellydance at age 5 when visiting Disney's Epcot Center. She was captivated by the sparkling, zill-playing woman in the Moroccan Pavilion. Laurel grew up in northern Indiana, studying gymnastics and ballet, laying a foundation of movement knowledge; and studied piano, flute, and voice, toning her musical ear. She began bellydancing in 2005 with Troupe Salamat in Arizona, and studied for several years with Melanie Wade and Leila Gamal in Indiana. From those first classes, she knew that bellydance was to be a lifelong passion. The sisterhood, inner strength, and celebration of the female form are truly incredible gifts of this dance.
Laurel moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2007 and began her professional performance career in 2008. She performed for many years at Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant, Al-Amir Lebanese Cuisine, Alexis Greek Restaurant, Hoda's Lebanese Cuisine, and Tangier Restaurant; eventually taking on the role of scheduling coordinator and dancer liaison at the Marrakesh. She studied regularly with several world-class and world-famous dancers in Portland, often collaborating with other professionals for troupe performances or stage events. She has performed on the Gypsy Caravan Stage at Oregon Country Fair, danced with many distinguished musicians in Portland and New York City, and collaborated with other performers for events such as AMP Theater's Arabian Nights, Oregon Renaissance Festival, and the OMSI Gala. Known for her elegance and musicality, Laurel was awarded First Runner Up American Ambassador in the 2013 International Ambassador of Bellydance Competition, and Second Runner Up in the Live Professional Category of the 2014 La Danse Orientale Belly Dance Competition. Laurel's other passion is midwifery and women's health, and in 2017, she moved to southwest Michigan for a full time Nurse-Midwife position. She looks forward to reconnecting with several dance sisters from her early days of studying bellydance, and to offering bellydance classes and workshops in the future. |
