An icon of Oriental Dance, Rhea has
captivated students and audiences worldwide with her magnetic personality,
spellbinding stories, maverick spirit and dynamic dance technique, which
blends principles of ancient Greek dance with modern Turkish cabaret.
Unwaveringly dedicated to both this ancient dance form and to living an
authentic life, Rhea leaves no adventure unturned. She has whirled with
dervishes by the Blue Nile, climbed atop Mt. Sinai and broken bread in
Bedouin tents, performed at prestigious venues all over the world
including the legendary Dora Stratou Theater, dipped her body in waters
dedicated to Artemis, and spawned countless professional dancers
throughout the world, including her own daughters
Piper and Melina.
Rhea journey in belly dance began with her teacher and mentor,
Jamila Salimpour. Rhea became one of the first
sword dancers in Jamila's legendary troupe Bal Anat. Thanks to Jamila, Rhea was the first dancer
in America to take the balancing of a sword into the context of a cabaret
performance.
Rhea went on to dance, teach and perform in the San Francisco Bay Area
when interest in belly dance had reached its zenith, bringing up her two
young daughters in the heart of the art. In 1977, Rhea left the U.S. to
explore the various sources of belly dancing in the Middle East. After
seeing the then reigning stars of the day, Zohair Zaki & Nagwa Fouad, and
dancing in Egypt herself, Rhea settled in Athens, setting up a small
studio à la Isadora Duncan at the base of the Acropolis.
In 2000, Rhea produced and arranged Ali Arsoy's CD
Ali Bi Ghanni Li Rhea
with the oriental dancer in mind. The songs are grouped into a series of
mini dance routines so you can just pop in the disk and play it for your
shows or impromptu performances. "Ali Bi Ghanni Li Rhea" is also the
companion CD to Rhea's instructional video,
Rhea's Fast Combos.
Rhea's current
theories of dance emphasize Reconciliation of the Opposites – the union
of right and left brain, Yin and Yang, male and female principles, sky and
earth. Why did matriarchy
change to patriarchy and what does the snake have to do with it?
Rhea’s instinctive conjectures illuminate in ways that will
delight the mind and improve your dance!
Everyone who crosses her path will attest:
Never a dull moment with Rhea!
Find out about
RHEA'S LESSONS in the ancient city of
Athens.
Rhea can be reached from the U.S. by
dialing 011.30.210.323.1289, or within Athens at 210.32.31.289.
Leave her a detailed message with your phone number and she'll get back to
you! She DOES NOT do the internet, so if you would like to
communicate with Rhea and don't want to call her up, then send her a
letter in the mail.
Rhea
Byronos #9
Plaka, Athens 10558
Greece
If you can't operate outside the parameters
of our electronic age, then
email Melina who will relay your message to her mother telephonically.
Read all about her irrepressible life of dance! An
interview with Rhea.
Rhea by the Nile! Click here
for a lively account of Rhea's Sudanese adventures.
"Rhea
Recounts the 'Good Old Days' in San Francisco." Gilded Serpent Article
by Rhea.
Rhea interviews
Omar Faruk Tekbilek for Habibi
magazine.
My
Belly dance Baptism -- Rhea's latest in the Gilded Serpent.
