MADAME NUIT has loved the essence of Middle Eastern Dance and music for many years. She began taking class in 1996 and since then has performed at various festivals and fairs, including many years at Rakkasah in Richmond. She's currently a member of Dancers of the Crescent Moon (DCM). In the year 2000, performing in an offshoot of DCM, Madame Nuit was part of a first-place, award-winning group at the Wiggles of the West competition in Reno.

"I love every part of our dance world...the music, costumes, performing...and the wonderful friendships of my fellow dancers."

MAYA MUNIRAH'S introduction to dance was bringing her two children to Dancenter. After being Mrs. Taxi and audience for them for many years, she started taking part herself. Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, you name it, she's at least tried it!

After discovering bellydance, Maya studied with SeSe for many years, as well as attending many workshops. She also studied gypsy bellydance with Vashti. She and Siwa met in dance classes and performed together in SeSe's gypsy dance group, Dajti. Maya can be seen on the IAMED DVD, "The Sixth Awards of Bellydance". Check out her performance, along with Siwa, Saroya and many others in "SeSe Dance Theater".

Maya tried folkloric for the first time three years ago and has been a member of DCM for 2 1/2 years. She is troup secretary, thus keeping us in focused. She also performed last year for the first time with her daughter, Zahira, at Hafla Santa Cruz.

NONAH, having begun her kufe un England, Nonah can boast such a varied background there as ballroom dance when she was 12, being a member of the circus at 15, being in films with stars such as Sally Ann Howes at age 16 and following that up with modeling school.

She then came to America where she started out teaching modeling. Nonah traveled the U.S. extensively after meeting and marrying her husband Dick of "Dick & Dot Remy", a brother and sister vaudville act.

She and Dick settled in Santa Cruz where they both worked the Boardwalk in the costume department. She still lives in the home they shared together for many years.

After grieving the loss of her beloved husband, she began her new life bellydancing with SeSe. When she saw Siwa perform, it was love at first sight for her dance style. Nonah has been with DCM for three uears and as senior member, she is an inspiration to us all.

Nonah's daughter, Zenobia is taking a leave from DCM at present, but the two still enjoy each other in Siwas' Folkloric class.

SAROYA, affectionately called "GG" by many of her dance sisters, bagan dancing at when she was only 3 years old! Dancing ever since, her early days included tap, ballet, modern and hula.

Seventeen years ago she discovered bellydance and has been part of such noteworthy groups as Palace Athena and Byzantium, both directed by SeSe. She can be seen on the IAMED DVD "The Sixth Awards of Bellydance". She can be seen along with Siwa, Maya and many others in the performance "SeSe Dance Theater".

Saroya made the leap to folkloric 3 years ago and has been with DCM for the last 2 1/2 years ago. One of her biggest attributes is "a smile that won't wipe off her face no matter how hard you try".

Saroya's pride and joy is her 3-year-old grandson, Conner.

SIWA - Oasis of Emotion

Softly insistent ...
The rhythm begins to surround,
inexorably bending my will
until my pulse matches the intoxicating beat,
and I am drawn through the past
into my future.

Slowly ... she weaves into my awareness,
lithe undulations flowing over the exposed
nerve endings of my eyes.
Liquid motion ... flashing rainbows ... hypnotic sensuality ...
then a smile, at once wicked and coy,
reaching deep into the core of me
gently fans the embers into flame.

I had banked those fires
with fear ... with disappointment...
and with angers real or imagined.
I had carefully bricked the hearth with time.
Amazed ... I watch how easily
she uses her grace
to stir the coals of my being
and ignite the inferno of desire.

- Craig Lockhart