Jillina
Images and Information courtesy of Goddess Divine Productions
Performer, Master Instructor, Choreographer, Director and Producer, Jillina has devoted her life to dance. Currently Jillina is touring the world with her newest production: Bellydance Evolution. Created in 2009, Bellydance Evolution is a revolutionary approach to the art of bellydance; it is a theatrical show with a storyline, much like a ballet. Bellydance Evolution has already appeared in over 20 countries and was a featured performer at the Mawazine festival in Morocco, performing for the Queen of Morocco.
In 1999 Jillina established her own dance company, Jillina’s Sahlala Dancers, currently LA’s premier Middle Eastern and world fusion dance Entertainment Company. From 2003-09 she served as Artistic Director and Main Choreographer for the Bellydance Superstars and performed with them for over 700 shows in over a dozen countries. High-lights include performing on the main stage at Lolapaloza, The Follies Berger in Paris, The Queen’s Theatre in London and Theatre Mohammed V in Rabaat, Morocco. Jillina continued in her position as principal choreographer until 2010.
Jillina pulls from a strong dance background in Middle Eastern, Folklore, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop to create a colourful Middle Eastern fusion repertoire. She travels extensively, teaching seminars and performing in concerts. The “Michael Jordan of Bellydance”, Jillina’s talents have taken her to England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Chile, Venezuela, Canada, France, Italy, Monaco, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Holland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Russia, Slovenia, Peru, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Dubai and Egypt. Whether Jillina is coaching dancers individually or teaching a group of 1,000 students, she has a special ability to connect with people on and off the dance floor.
Jillina has won numerous awards from International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance and the Giza Academy, including Best Modern Egyptian Dancer, Best Instructional Video, Best Dance Company and Dancer of the Year. Jillina has appeared on a number of television programs, including, “Dancing With The Stars” & “Tsukiri” a widely viewed show in Japan. She has co-produced 12 instructional DVDs, which, due to their success, are now offered in 5 different languages and distributed by Universal Records. In the summer of 2009 and 2010, Jillina was the first American to be invited as a featured performer in the prestigious Closing Gala at Ahlan Wa Sahlan in Egypt.
Jillina is the owner of Evolution Dance Studios, located in Universal City, California, USA. The studio provides rehearsal space to some of Hollywood’s top artists- Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Choreographers from So You Think You Can Dance- and serves as a focal point for the Los Angeles Dance Community. You can view more about Jillina on her personal website www.Jillina.com
Heather Aued
Images and Information courtesy of Goddess Divine Productions
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Heather began dancing at the age of five. Studying modern jazz & ballroom, ballet, hip-hop & contemporary. At 9 years old she was invited to join a Los Angeles based performing group, where she quickly became one of the lead dancers. By the age of 13 Heather was already an Award-Winning choreographer & a lead dancer in 3 different dance companies. That same year she performed at the Rose Bowl alongside Cirque Du Soleil & Smokey Robinson for over 40,000 people.
Heather graduated from High School at 16 in order to pursue her career full-time. Also a professional singer, Heather has recorded with Grammy Winning Songwriter Michael Jay and Oscar Winning Songwriter Joseph Brooks. She also toured the Caribbean as the lead singer on the Freewinds ship.
At 18 Heather was cast by Kenny Ortega (Dirty Dancing Choreographer and Michael Jackson’s final tour Director) to dance on the Fox TV show “Grounded for Life” which earned an Emmy nomination for Best Choreography. That same month she was invited to join the International Dance Company, “Jillina’s Sahlala Dancers”. Having fallen in love with Middle Eastern dance, she put all her focus on learning the art form and quickly became a lead soloist for the Award Winning Dance Company. She is currently the Assistant Artistic Director & Manager for the group and can be seen on numerous Bellydance performance DVD’s as well as Jillina’s “Shape Up & Hip Out” DVD.
In 2008 she was featured on “Dancing with the Stars” alongside Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers. In 2009 Heather helped Jillina launch Bellydance Evolution and is also the Co-Director of the show. You can view more about Heather Aued on her personal website www.HeatherAued.com
Heather graduated from High School at 16 in order to pursue her career full-time. Also a professional singer, Heather has recorded with Grammy Winning Songwriter Michael Jay and Oscar Winning Songwriter Joseph Brooks. She also toured the Caribbean as the lead singer on the Freewinds ship.
At 18 Heather was cast by Kenny Ortega (Dirty Dancing Choreographer and Michael Jackson’s final tour Director) to dance on the Fox TV show “Grounded for Life” which earned an Emmy nomination for Best Choreography. That same month she was invited to join the International Dance Company, “Jillina’s Sahlala Dancers”. Having fallen in love with Middle Eastern dance, she put all her focus on learning the art form and quickly became a lead soloist for the Award Winning Dance Company. She is currently the Assistant Artistic Director & Manager for the group and can be seen on numerous Bellydance performance DVD’s as well as Jillina’s “Shape Up & Hip Out” DVD.
In 2008 she was featured on “Dancing with the Stars” alongside Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers. In 2009 Heather helped Jillina launch Bellydance Evolution and is also the Co-Director of the show. You can view more about Heather Aued on her personal website www.HeatherAued.com
Information courtesy of Goddess Divine Productions
I hope this is a little inspiration for all of you... a little nudge into thinking about doing 1 of the awesome workshops on offer or maybe, just maybe......being brave enough to enter Miss Belly Dance SA. If you need more information on either the workshops or the competition visit the Goddess Divine Miss Belly Dance SA website on: www.missbellydancesa.com.
Happy Shimmying!!
Jacqui
xxx
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