I've been performing with the troupe since March of 1999, but have only soloed a few times; twice at Hasani's Haflas, several times in dance class, once in a parade, and once as part of a recital with the troupe. Here are a few photos of my solos, in no particular order. This outdoor photo in the fuschia costume is from my first "real" solo, at Hasani's Hafla in August of 2000.

One reason I enjoy middle eastern dance so much is the costumes. I design all my own costumes and make almost everything myself, in some cases going so far as to hand-dye some of the fabric or trim. I also design and make a lot of my own jewelry.

This photo was taken at the Procession of the Species on April 20, 2002. My mother and I both danced in the procession. I did various mayas, belly undulations, camels, and snake-arms for the entire length of the parade route -- I had no idea it would be so long! :-)

I designed and made the entire mermaid costume myself. The headpiece is sculptured out of plaster bandage, cork, silicon sealant, cardboard, wire, acrylic paint, glitter, hand-dyed wig hair, hand-dyed silk chiffon, and various glass jewels.

These photos are from a rehearsal for a solo in October of 2001. (The actual performance photos came out much darker and blurrier.) Again, this costume is something that I put together myself.

This photo was taken on January 5, 2002, at Roxelana's Showcase.

This is from a June 8, 2002 duet performance, with Johara, at a friend's birthday party.