Naajidah for the Gilded Serpent

The Gilded Serpent presents
Naajidah

I am the Co-Director of the Athena Studio of World dance where we teach Turkish Cabaret style Oriental Dance, Polynesian dance and Flamenco both through our studio and through Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska

I’ve been dancing since the age of 5, I began my dance studies in typical fashion: Ballet, Jazz Ballet, Modern Dance, and Tap. During college one of my summer jobs was teaching dance at a fine arts camp in Northern Indiana. I discovered Oriental Dance later in life, and fell in love with the beautiful music, the moves and was instantly hooked! Polynesian dance came a little later, when I was offered the opportunity to learn this art form. Private lessons got me hooked, and I was soon attending Polynesian Workshops on both the mainland and in Hawaii.

In my Oriental Dance persona, I dance under the stage name of Naajidah, and along with the Director of the Athena Studio – Ashiya – are the featured dancers at The Parthenon, a Greek Restaurant here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Additionally I dance with our troupe, the Athenian Dancers at such events as Ethnic Festivals, workshops, corporate events, civic events and private events.

As a member of The Trade Wind Dancers, we perform regularly at civic events, educational events, corporate events and private luaus.

The Athena Studio hosts an annual Oriental Dance workshop in June here in Lincoln, Nebraska. We will also be co-hosting a Polynesian dance workshop in what we hope will be the first annual July Workshop in Kansas City.

For information on The Athena Studio, including our Oriental and Polynesian workshops,please visit our website:

www.AthenaWorldDance.com

In real life I hold a bachelor of science degree from the University of San Francisco and certificates in electronics and computer technology from Las Positas College in Livermore, California. I work in the computer field as a systems administrator.

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Naajidah:
11-13-07 Where Have All The Cover-ups Gone? by Ashiya and Naajidah
What happened to professionalism? Mystery? Decorum and good taste?

12-5-06 The Ethics of Fusion by Naajidah
If the culture that you’re borrowing your moves from objects to your fusion, does it matter? Are you being respectful or exploitative if you borrow steps from a culture that doesn’t want their music and dance used that way?