Curriculum Vitae
History of a Dancer
Welcome to Amara’s Curriculum Vitae & background information! If you are interested in learning more, dance over to her About page and sign-up for online classes.
Education
Education
| Year | Curriculum | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | PhD, Dance History and Theory Dissertation: Dancing on the Fringe: Connections Forming “An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance” | University of California Riverside |
| 1995 | BA, Music History and Literature Certificate in World Music Cum Laude Thesis: Nalini Vinayak: Sitarist, Teacher, and Woman Connecting Three Cultures | The Florida State University |
| 1997-2001 | Masters’ Coursework, Dance Ethnology & Dance Performance | University of California Los Angeles |
| 1991 – 1992 | Undergraduate Courses, Music Education | Ithaca College, New York |
Teaching
Higher Education Teaching
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 1999-2008 | • Designed and taught accredited lecture and dance courses for undergraduates at several universities and non-credit, community education settings. • General instructional responsibilities included lecture, assessment, grading, and maintaining office hours to discuss student progress. • Lecture courses incorporated interdisciplinary and intercultural approaches to develop active and critical thinking. • Dance studio courses stressed strong foundational technique through combinations of choreography, improvisation, solo and group work. |
| 2006-2008 | Instructor, Institute of Dance – California Polytechnic, Pomona Belly Dance |
| 2004-2005 | Golden Oak Adult School – Valencia, CA Introduction to Middle Eastern dance |
| 2002-2003 | Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Dance – University of California Riverside Watching the Dance Go By Beginning World Dance Forms: Middle East |
| 1999-2000 | Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of World Arts and Cultures – University of California Los Angeles Dance of a Selected Culture: Middle East |
| 2000 | Instructor, Learning Tree University – Thousand Oaks, CA Introduction to Middle Eastern dance |
Dance Studio Teaching
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 1997-present | • Provided dance instruction in beginning, intermediate, and master levels for adults and youth in Los Angeles, Austin, Sydney and online. • Provided creative dance instruction for youth with learning and emotional disabilities and adults with dementia. • Classes included Flexibility, Bellates (a fusion of Ballet, Yoga, Pilates, and Belly dance), Experimental dance, Composition and Middle Eastern dance. • Theatrical and experimental classes explored choreographic processes and tools, such as narrative and non-narrative structures; fusion techniques; and relationships among movement, music and meaning. • Middle Eastern dance classes stressed a strong foundational technique through combinations of choreography, improvisation, solo and group work. • Lead reading groups on dance and dance pedagogy. |
| 2019-present | Online Classes via Zoom |
| 2021 | Dance with Me, Memory Innovations Centre, Catholic Care, Broken Bay, NSW |
| 2015-2017 | Dance 102, Sydney, NSW |
| 2014-2015 | Dance Austin Studios, Austin, TX |
| 2012-2013 | Round Rock Dance Repertory Center, Round Rock, TX |
| 2012-2015 | Balance Dance Studio, Austin, TX |
| 2010-2013 | Galaxy Dance Studio, Austin, TX |
| 2010 | Gemini Playhouse, Austin, TX |
| 2010 | Go Dance Studio, Austin, TX |
| 1998-2015 | Amara’s Dance Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Austin, TX |
| 2003 | Lorentz Dance Studio, Lake View Terrace, CA |
| 1999-2003 | Judy Gantz Siegel’s Dance Studio, Los Angeles, CA |
| 1998 | Mason Artists Institute, Los Angeles, CA |
| 1997-1998 | UCLA Recreational Middle Eastern dance class |
Dance Pedagogy Teaching
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2011-present | • Developed a certification program, Training 4 Dance Teachers, for teaching dance and producing dance events. • Topics included Injury Prevention, Create Your Dance Teaching Philosophy, Develop Lesson Plans, Introduction to Dance Productions and Theatrical Productions. • Taught complete courses and workshops at several dance conventions and studios. |
Dance Workshops
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 1996-present | • Master classes presented in academic and community settings. • Lectures focused on the position of dance within its broader culture, particularly with multicultural communities. • Introductory Studio presentations had three primary purposes: helping participants to experience basic technique and styling; facilitating insight into the culture and challenging preconceived ideas of the dance form; creation of a community feeling through dancing for and watching others. • Specific workshops covered a variety of topics including technique, choreography, Middle Eastern dance styles, dance construction and pedagogy. • Employed as a Dance Dramaturgist to help facilitate choreographies and shows. |
| 2021 | Austin Belly Dance Convention: Let’s Talk About Swords Austin Belly Dance Convention: Let’s Get Ready to Dance! |
| 2020 | Austin Belly Dance Convention: The 7-Part Routine: Classic American Belly Dance Austin Belly Dance Convention: Dancing Where you Live |
| 2019 | Parramasala Festival: Intro to Belly Dance Australia Day in Parramatta: Intro to Belly Dance Austin Belly Dance Convention: Dancing into the Unknown – Performance |
| 2018 | Parramasala Festival: Intro to Belly Dance Australia Day in Parramatta – Parravision, Guest judge Austin Belly Dance Convention: Stunning Sword |
| 2017 | Bold Festival: Threads of Classic American Belly Dance Inter-cultural Lab @ Critical Path, Rhizomatic Practices with an Inter-cultural Dance Focus Austin Belly Dance Convention: Choreographic Processes – Two Fold; Exploring the World of the Drum Solo with Ozzy and Amara |
| 2016 | Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival: Stunning Sword Summer Series Workshops, North Shore and North Sydney: Shimmy by Shimmy Austin Belly Dance Convention: Arab Trap Dance; Exploring the World of the Drum Solo with Ozzy and Amara |
| 2015 | 3rd Coast Tribal Festival: Movement Practicum on Designing Warm ups and Cool Downs and Making Your Classes Dynamic by Using Different Teaching Styles Austin Belly Dance Convention: Shimmy by Shimmy; Stunning Sword Texas Coastal Bend Bellydance Association: Developing Your Stage Character: Siren; Injury Prevention for Dancers |
| 2014 | 3rd Coast Tribal Festival: Creating Your Teaching Philosophy – Fort Worth, TX Austin Belly Dance Convention: American Belly Dance Floorwork – Austin, TX |
| 2013 | Festival on the Nile: Entrance Choreography, Stunning Sword, How slow can you go?, Developing Your Stage Character, Feature Teacher; Orlando, FL Austin Belly Dance Convention: The Art of Veil: Advanced; Austin, TX Austin Belly Dance Studio: Classic American Belly Dance; Austin, TX Tarab: Transitions in Belly Dance Improvisation; Austin, TX X-MED: How Slow Can You Go?, Shh, This is What I am Working on…; Los Angeles, CA Creating a Teaching Dance Philosophy, Certification at Balance Dance Studios; Austin, TX |
| 2012 | Cairo Caravan: Creating Space in Middle Eastern Dance, The Art of Beautiful Veil (Advanced); Creating Fusion Dance, Guest Lecturer and Guest Teacher; Los Angeles, CA IBCC: Dancing on the Fringe, The Development of the Experimental Middle Eastern Dance ‘Genre,’ Guest Lecturer; Toronto, Canada Dance Xplosion: Injury Prevention, Guest Lecture; Austin, TX Injury Prevention, Certification at Galaxy Dance Studios; Austin, TX Injury Prevention for Dancers and Movers at Galaxy Dance Studios; Austin, TX Injury Prevention, Certification at Amara’s Dance Studio; Austin, TX |
| 2011 | MECDA Professional Dance Conference: Producing Dance Events, Developing Your Own Pedagogy, Injury Prevention, Master Class: Teaching Practicum, Guest Lecturer; Long Beach, CA UT, Austin, Ballroom Club: Introduction to Belly Dance; Workshop Teacher; Austin, TX Austin Belly Dance Convention: American Middle Eastern Dance: A Historical Look at Fusion, Workshop Teacher, Performer; Austin, TX Halimeda’s Studio: Improvisation for Entrances and Drum Solo Choreograph; Guest Teacher; Tallahassee, FL |
| 2010 | UCLA: Introduction to Belly Dance, Guest Teacher; Los Angeles, CA Oxnard City College: Egyptian Folk Dance; Oxnard, CA Amara’s Dance Studio: Introduction to Sword Workshop; Introduction to Zils and Arab Rhythms; Austin, TX |
| 2009 | Private Studio: Veil Choreography; Berlin, Germany Story Telling Through Dance: Workshop Teacher; San Diego, CA Amara’s Dance Studio: Introduction to Sword Workshop; Introduction to Veil Workshop; Floorwork Workshop; The Art of Taqsim; Introduction to Raqs al–Assaya; Ah Ya Zein Choreography; Raqs al–Assaya Choreography; Los Angeles, CA |
| 2008 | Tribal Dance/Fusion Dance: Fusion Techniques and Dynamic Combinations for Any Kind of Music, Workshop Teacher and Performer; San Diego, CA |
| 2007 | Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive: Creating and Destroying the Rules, Workshop Teacher and Performers; Las Vegas, NV Hips of Fury Competition: Fusion Techniques, Workshop Teacher, Performer, and Judge; Palmdale, CA X–MED: Workshop Teacher, Performer, and Co–Producer; Los Angeles, CA Dance in the Desert: Fusion Techniques, Workshop Teacher and Performer; Palmdale, CA |
| 2006 | Hips of Fury Belly Dance Competition, Judge; Palmdale, CA X–MED, Workshop Teacher, Performer, and Co–Producer; Los Angeles, CA How to Teach Middle Eastern Dance, Teacher; Los Angeles, CA |
| 2004 | UCR: Introduction to Middle Eastern Dance, Guest Teacher; Riverside, CA Scripps College: Introduction to Middle Eastern Dance, Guest Lecturer; Pomona, CA World Dance Festival, Workshop Teacher; San Diego, CA |
| 2003 | Antelope City College, Guest Teacher; Antelope, CA |
| 2000 | Belly Dance Buffet, Workshop Teacher; Van Nuys, CA |
| 1999-2000 | UCLA WAC: Dancing of Selected Cultures, Guest Teacher; Los Angeles, CA |
| 1999-2000 | Scripps College, Guest Teacher; Pomona, CA |
| 1999 | University of California, Long Beach, Guest Teacher; Long Beach, CA |
| 1998 | UCLA WAC: Dance Ethnography: “Trade Like Any other” and “The Positions of Middle Eastern Dance in the United States,” Guest Lecturer; Los Angeles, CA |
| 1998 | Mason Artists Institute, Middle Eastern Dance, Guest Teacher; Los Angeles, CA |
| 1996 | Halimdia’s Studio, Guest Teacher; Tallahassee, FL |
Additional Teaching & Scoring
| Year | Postion |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Instructor: Dance with Me, Memory Innovations Centre, Catholic Care, Broken Bay, NSW Taught creative dance, fitness, injury prevention to those living independently with Dementia. |
| 2013 – 2014 | Instructor: Leap of Joy, Austin, TX Taught Creative dance in several after school programs to young children with and without learning and behavioral disabilities. |
| 2010 – 2012 | Exam Scorer: Pearson Evaluation Systems, Austin TX Scored essay for several state K-12 dance and music teacher certification programs. |
Research
Article Publications
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 1999-present | • Published articles in cultural dance magazines. • Topics included theoretical exploration and contextualization of experimental and fusion dance practices, socio-political investigation of Middle Eastern dance in the United States, and the power of participant rhetoric in academia. |
| 2022 | Osweiler, Laura. “Critical Path E-News Introduction Oct 2022.” |
| 2018 | Osweiler, Laura. “Class Act: Guideline for Writing Interesting Workshop and Class Descriptions.” Bellydance Oasis. #60 2018:32-33. |
| 2017 | Osweiler, Laura. “Introduction.” Critical Dialogues: Claiming Spaces: Artists with Disabilities Redefining Dance, Vol 2. Mar 2017. 4-7. |
| 2016 | Osweiler, Laura. “Intercultural Dance Spaces.” Critical Dialogues: Intercultural Dance. Apr 2016. 72-77. |
| 2012 | Osweiler, Laura. “Learning How to Teach Dance.” Opa. Nov. 2012:5. Osweiler, Laura. “The Introduction of Middle Eastern Dance into the United States. Part 1.” The Belly Dance Chronicles. Jan./Feb./Mar. 2012: 53-56. Osweiler, Laura. “The Introduction of Middle Eastern Dance into the United States. Part 2.” The Belly Dance Chronicles. Apr./May/Jun. 2012: 70-76. Osweiler, Laura. “Contextualizing Your Position and Leaving Space for Others: Thoughts while Attending IBCC 2012.” Gilded Serpent. |
| 2007 | Osweiler, Laura. “The Role of Gender in American-Middle Eastern Dance.” Zaghareet! Jan/Feb 2007: 30-31. |
| 2006 | Osweiler, Laura. “Cover: Loving Middle Eastern Dance” Jareeda. Nov/Dec 2006: 7-8. Osweiler, Laura. “Designing Experimental MED Costumes” Jareeda. Jan/Feb 2006: 50-51. Osweiler, Laura. “Naming the Dance. Part 1 ”Zaghareet! May/June 2006: 24-25. Osweiler, Laura. “Naming the Dance. Part 2 ”Zaghareet! July/Aug 2006: 26-27. Osweiler, Laura. “Naming the Dance. Part 3” Zaghareet! Sept/Oct 2006. |
| 2005 | Osweiler, Laura. “EEMED.” Bennu. Vol. 6 Issue 3 2005: 42. |
Lectures & Presentations
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 1999-present | • Topics included theoretical exploration and contextualization of experimental and fusion dance practices, socio-political investigation of Middle Eastern dance in the United States, and the power of participant rhetoric in academia. |
| 2022 | Dancing into the Unknown: Discovering Pure Conscious Body. Paper presented at The Bold Festival, Canberra, Australia. |
| 2021 | Dancing into the Unknown: Neuropathy & Water. Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia. |
| 2019 | Dancing into the Unknown – Legacy. Paper presented at Bold Festival, Canberra, Australia. Moving Center (Film); Dancing into the Unknown – Legacy. Paper presented at Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2018 | Facilitator at Sydney Festival 2018 in partnership with Critical Path: Talking Dance: Dancing Now – Memoir and Autobiography, Sydney, Australia. Meet the Curator, presentation at Parramasala Festival, Parramatta, Australia. |
| 2017 | Threads of Classic American Belly dance in contemporary American Middle Eastern Dance. Paper presented at Bold Festival, Canberra, Australia. Take a Rhizomatic Ride. Paper presented at University of Sydney. |
| 2012 | Dancing on the Fringe, The Development of the Experimental Middle Eastern Dance ‘Genre.’ Paper presented at the International Belly Dance Conference of Canada, Toronto, Canada. Creating Space in Middle Eastern Dance. MECDA’s Cairo Caravan, Los Angeles, CA. |
| 2011 | The Introduction of Middle Eastern Dance into the United States. Paper presented at the Society of Dance History Scholars Annual Conference: “Dance Dramaturgy: Catalyst, Perspective and Memory,” Toronto, Canada. “Dancing in the Fringe: The Development of the Experimental Middle Eastern Dance ‘Genre.’ Paper presented at the Congress on Research in Dance’s Special Topic Conference: “Dance and American Culture,” Tallahassee, FL. American Middle Eastern Dance: A Historical Look at Fusion. Paper presented at the Austin Belly Dance Convention, Austin, TX. |
| 2008 | Experimental Middle Eastern Dance. Paper presented at Oral History Association, Oakland, CA. |
| 2006 | How Experimental Processes Become a Subject within Middle Eastern Dance. Paper presented at Dance Under Construction – University of California Graduate Cultural Dance Studies Conference, Riverside, CA. |
| 2005 | A Theoretical Introduction to Dancing on the Fringe: Connections Forming An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance. Paper presented at Dance Under Construction – University of California Graduate Cultural Dance Studies Conference, Los Angeles, CA. |
| 2003 | A Friendship Based on the Love of Egyptian Dance. Paper presented at Dance Under Construction, University of California Graduate Cultural Dance Studies Conference, Riverside, CA. |
| 2002 | The Role of Men in American-Middle Eastern Dance. Paper presented at Dance Under Construction, University of California Graduate Cultural Dance Studies Conference, Riverside, CA. |
| 2001 | Two Representations of American-Middle Eastern Dance. Paper Presented at the Second International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance. Orange Coast Community College. |
| 2000 | Women in American Middle Eastern Dance. Paper presented at the University of California Graduate Cultural Dance Studies Conference, Riverside, CA. |
| 1999 | Contemporary Images of the Middle Eastern Dancer in the United States. Paper presented at Dance Under Construction – University of California Graduate Cultural Dance Studies Conference, Los Angeles, CA. |
Awards
Grants and Residencies
| Year | Grants and Residencies |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Accessible Arts’ Next Level Program @Sydney Dance Company. Create NSW Quick Response Grant for Falling into Weighted Time. AusDance NSW, DAIR, Space Grant @ ACPE for Falling into Weighted Time. March Dance Sydney, Space Grant @ Critical Path for Falling into Weighted Time. Accessible Arts’ Front and Centre Program. |
| 2022 | Critical Path Research Residency for Weighted in Time March Dance Sydney, Space Grant @ Critical Path for Shifting Lines / Shifted. Australia Council for the Arts & UTS, Digital Transformation for the Creative Industries short course. |
| 2021 | Create NSW 2020 Covid Grant Create NSW 2021 Small Project Grants for Shifting Lines / Shifted. Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance’s -Scape Digital Dance Residency. March Dance Sydney, Space Grant @ Critical Path for Shifting Lines / Shifted. Create NSW, Creative Plus Business’s GROW program. |
| 2020 | Australia Council for the Arts, 2020 Resilience Fund: Adapt for Reaching Dance Over Long Spaces. Create NSW, Creative Plus Business’s GROW program. |
| 2019 | BrandX, Space Grant for Shifting Lines Commission. AusDance, NSW and Australian College of Physical Education, Space Grant. |
| 2017 | AusDance, NSW, DAIR (Dance Artists in Residence) at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. |
| 2016 | AusDance, NSW, DAIR (Dance Artists in Residence) at Australian College of Physical Education. |
In the Press
Performances
Performance History
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 1992-present | • Regularly performed as a solo concert-artist and as dance company member across the United States, Canada and Australia. • Held long-term dance engagements in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Austin. • Performances included work with community-based cultural groups, professional groups and solo artists, as well as benefit performances for civic groups and schools. • Both solo and group work has been performed for commercial and instructional videos. • Performances included choreographies, improvisations and structured improvisations in a variety of post-modern and traditional Middle Eastern dance styles. |
| 2022 | Online: Dance videos, Moving Meditations Sydney, NSW: March Dance Sydney Austin, TX: Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2021 | Online: Dance videos, Moving Meditations Sydney, NSW: March Dance Sydney Austin, TX: Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2020 | Online: Dance videos, Moving Meditations Austin, TX: Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2019 | Online: Dance videos Sydney, NSW: Parramasala Festival; March Dance Sydney Austin, TX: Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2018 | Sydney, NSW: Opening Ceremony and Massala Nights at Parramasala Festival Austin, TX: Austin Belly Dance Convention, Ladies Night Out |
| 2017 | Sydney, NSW: Euro Festival (with Raqs Amara), Crowsnest Festival (with Raqs Amara) Canberra, ACT: The Bold Festival Austin, TX: Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2016 | Sydney, NSW: Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival, On the Cusp, Kazbah, Sahara, Assembly by Nicola Conibere at Biennale of Sydney Austin, TX: Sahara Lounge with Atlas Maior; Alborz Persian Restaurant; Austin Belly Dance Convention; |
| 2015 | Austin, TX: Sahara Lounge with Atlas Maior; Alborz Persian Restaurant; Austin Belly Dance Convention; BellyDance Halfa; Dance Austin’s Love Hangover Corpus Cristi, TX: TCBBA Annual Membership Drive and Show Fort Worth, TX: 3rd Coast Tribal Festival Sydney, NSW: North Shore Hafla, Persian Flame |
| 2014 | Austin, TX: Z-Helene’s Ode to the Elements Revisited Show; Austin Belly Dance Convention; Dance Austin Studio’s “Aftermath” Show; BellyDance Halfa; ABA’s Jukebox Bellydance; Cafe Shimmy; C-Boy’s Heart & Soul with Atlas Maior; Alborz Persian Restaurant San Antonio; TX: Issam Houshan and Amar Gamal Show Fort Worth, TX: 3rd Coast Tribal Festival |
| 2013 | Austin, TX: Concert with Esteban; Belly Dance Superstars’ Club Bellydance; Feed the Spirit Gala; Austin Fan Fest; Tarab Live Music Show; Cafe Shimmy; Mihrimah Ghaziya Workshops and Show Austin Belly Dance Convention; Alborz Persian Restaurant San Antonio; TX: Halfa with drummer Issam Houshan Orlando, FL: Festival on the Nile solo and with the Mike Gregian Mosaic Ensemble |
| 2012 | Austin, TX: Hidden Room’s Mystery Show; No Assurance; ABA’s Improvisation Belly Dance; Dance Revolution; Funhaus East Tour; The Color Project; AIDS Services of Austin’s Once Upon a Time; Raqs Stars; Kick Butt; Sahara Nights with Jef Stott; Alborz Persian Restaurant Los Angeles, CA: Cairo Caravan Toronto, Canada: International Belly Dance Conference of Canada |
| 2011 | Austin, TX: Belly Dance Superstars “Club Bellydance;” Austin Belly Dance Convention; ABA’s The Many Faces of Belly Dance; X-MED; ABA’s Jukebox Belly Dance; Rakasa Revue; Galaxy Summer Star Showcase; Amaya’s “The Girl Effect” Belly Dance Show; Cairo Caravan; Alborz Persian Restaurant Los Angeles, CA: MECDA’s Professional Dance Conference |
| 2010 | Austin, TX: Austin Live!; Austin Belly Dance Convention; Dance Unlimited; Austin Dance Showcase; Alborz; Opa; Sahara Nights; Raks Helwa; Galaxy Showcase; Rakasa Revue A to Z Belly Dance!; Full Moon Dance Extravaganza; Desert Passion show at Lovey’s Loot Buda, TX: Desert Passion show Los Angeles, CA: Cabaret Beledy; Darban; Moun of Tunis; Private Events |
| 2009 | Los Angeles, CA: Cabaret Beledy; Darban; Moun of Tunis San Diego, CA: Once upon a Belly Dance |
| 2008 | Los Angeles, CA: Café Beledy; TLF Production’s Belly Dance Showcase; EEMED San Diego, CA: Tribal Dance/Fusion Dance |
| 2007 | Los Angeles, CA: IAMED’s This is Belly Dance 007; Joi de Musique; TaXim; Dance in the Desert, Café Beledy; Mythos Greek Restaurant; X–MED; Cairo Carnivale; Las Vegas, NV: Belly Dance Intensive; Hafla Freiburg, Germany: Wedding |
| 2006 | Los Angeles, CA: Café Beledy; Mythos Greek Restaurant; Desert Sin’s Sita’s Fire; Moun of Tunis Restaurant; X–MED; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; IAMED’s Belly Dance–O–Rama (with Desert Sin); Perfumes of Araby’s Middle Eastern Dance Swap Meet; Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade San Diego, CA: Hafla San Diego San Francisco, CA: Rakkasah Middle Eastern Dance Festival – Performed with Mirage, Music Group Chicago, IL: Performed Mermaids with Desert Sin |
| 2005 | Los Angeles, CA: Elbasha Greek Restaurant (Performed 2 nights a week); IAMED’s Let’s Dance; Shandeez Restaurant; Cafe Beledy; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Mantra Girl’s CD release party; Markkakesh Restaurant; Perfumes of Araby’s Middle Eastern Dance Swap Meet San Francisco, CA: Rakkasah Middle Eastern Dance Festival – Performed with Mirage, Music Group |
| 2004 | Los Angeles, CA: Elbasha Greek Restaurant (Performed 2 nights a week); Cafe Beledy, Shandeez Restaurant; Perfumes of Arab’s Middle Eastern Dance Swapmeet; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance San Francisco, CA: Rakkasah Middle Eastern Dance Festival – Performed with Solace, Music Group |
| 2003 | Los Angeles, CA: Elbasha Greek Restaurant (Performed 2 nights a week); An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; IAMED’s This is Belly Dance; Shandeez Restaurant; Cafe Beledy; Central Coast Mediterranean Dance Festival; Moun of Tunis All Star Belly Dance Fun–Raiser; Perfumes of Araby’s Middle Eastern Dance Swap Meet San Francisco, CA: Rakkasah Middle Eastern Dance Festival – Performed with Mirage, Music Group |
| 2002 | Los Angeles, CA: Elbasha Greek Restaurant (Performed 2 nights a week); Shandeez; Sea Side Palace; Our Place Restaurant; Al Karraz Restaurant; Cafe Beledy; Cairo Carnival; Central Coast MECDA’s 12th Night Belly Dance Festival; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Perfumes of Araby’s Middle Eastern Dance Swap Meet |
| 2001 | Los Angeles, CA: Elbasha Greek Restaurant (Performed 2 nights a week); Pars Nightclub (Performed 2 nights a week as a soloist and with Ya Helewa!) Cafe Beledy; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Equinox Celebration; Perfumes of Araby’s Middle Eastern Dance Swap Meet |
| 2000 | Los Angeles, CA: An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Sea Side Palace Restaurant; Belly Dance Buffet; Regardless, an M.A. dance concert, UCLA; Cafe Beledy; Moun of Tunis Restaurant San Francisco, CA: Rakkasah Middle Eastern Dance Festival |
| 1999 | Los Angeles, CA: Athena’s; It’s Greek To Me; Cairo Carnival; Serendipity on the Sidewalk; Women’s International Symposium, UCLA; Cafe Beledy; Best of Friday Nights Live, UCLA |
| 1998 | Los Angeles, CA: Cafe Beledy; Music and Dance on the Grass, UCLA; Dance Motion and Madness, UCLA |
| 1997 | Los Angeles, CA: Marrakesh Restaurant; Luna Park Las Vegas, NV: Mamounia Moroccan Restaurant Performed 1–4 shows, 6–7 nights a week; Luxor Hotel and Casino – Portrayed an Amon Temple Dancer for the Nile Tour; Caesar Hotel and Casino; Clubs Atlanta, GA: Private Events |
| 1995-1996 | Las Vegas: Mamounia Moroccan Restaurant; Tom and Jerry’s; Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant; and clubs |
| 1994-1995 | Tallahassee, FL: Haflas and Galas |
Dance Films & Digital
| Year | Video Productions |
|---|---|
| 2013-present | Various short dance films on social media. |
| 2021 | Dancing into the Unknown: Neuropathy & Water. Presented at Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance. Developed during -Scape Digital Dance Residency. Supported by the Australia Council for the Arts. |
| 2019 | Shifting Lines – Site Specific. Conceived and choreographed by Laura Osweiler, music by Cassie Too, Video by Lux Eterna, Lighting by Paul Osborne. Presented at Art Monthly in Sydney, March Dance Sydney, BrandX and TWT Creative Precincts St Leonards’ Block Party. Commissioned by BrandX. Dancing into the Unknown – Legacy. Presented at the Bold Festival, Canberra (2019) & the Austin Belly Dance Convention (2019). |
| 2018 | Moving Centers. Conceived and choreographed by Laura Osweiler, music by Cassie Too, Video by Lux Eterna, Lighting by Paul Osborne. Presented at Parramasala Festival (2018) & the Austin Belly Dance Convention (2019). |
| 2013 | In Memory For our dancing sister, Jililah. Conceived and choreographed by Laura Osweiler, filmed and co-edited by Pamela Sanchez of Koi Pond Productions. A Dance a Day in May. Conceived and choreographed by Laura Osweiler. Presented on social media |
| 2001–2009, 2015 | Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance |
Commercial Videos
| Year | Video |
|---|---|
| 2015 | “An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance” (EEMED) |
| 2011 | IAMED’s “The Stars of Belly Dance” |
| 2007 | IAMED’s’ Belly Dance 007″ IAMED’s “Belly Dance–O–Rama” (with Desert Sin) |
| 2006 | IAMED’s “Ultimate Belly Dance Combinations” Vol. 1 and 2 |
| 2005 | IAMED’s “The Art of Belly Dance – Enchanted Nile” “Belly Dance Television” Vol. 1 |
| 2004 | IAMED’s “Belly Dance Revolution” |
| 2003 | IAMED’s “Belly Dance!” (@ The Ford Amphitheatre) |
| 2001-2008 | “An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance” (EEMED) |
Choreography
Solo Choreography
| Year | Choreographies |
|---|---|
| 1994-present | • Choreographed wide range of ethno-cultural dance works, from traditional to post-modern, performed by professional and academic dance companies. • Many choreographies contained avant-garde presentations of new styles or approaches to Middle Eastern Dance. • Developed a genre of post-modern dance with a foundation in Middle Eastern dance. • Created solos and group dances for my dance company Ya Helewa! and collaborated with other artists. |
| 2022 | Weighted in Time Supported by Critical Path. |
| 2021 | Shifting Lines /Shifted performed in March Dance Sydney at Critical Path. Supported by March Dance Sydney, Critical Path, Create NSW, Australia Council for the Arts. |
| 2020 | Classic American Belly Dance 7 Part Routine performed at the Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2019 | Shifting Lines – Site Specific performed Art Monthly in Sydney, March Dance Sydney, Brand X and TWT Creative Precincts St Leonards’ Block Party. Commissioned by Brand X; Quadruple Veil performed at the Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2018 | Shifting Lines – Segments performed at the Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2017 | Arab Trap Dance performed at On the Cusp and with Traditional and Arab Trap Drum Solo with Oz Ashkenazi performed at the Austin Belly Dance Convention, at the Bold Festival |
| 2016 | Ellie Mae’s Trap developed at Critical Path’s Responsive Program: Open Studio and performed at the Austin Belly Dance Convention, Traditional Drum Solo with Oz Ashkenazi |
| 2015 | Set Sail and Drum Solo with Resonant Rogues performed at 3rd Coast Tribal Festival; Ud Taqsim Structures Improvisation with Charlie Lockwood at the Austin Belly Dance Convention; Lone Siren at TCBBA Show |
| 2014 | Contemporary Sword performed at the Issam Houshan Amar Gamal Show at The Josephine Theater; Terpsichore performed at ABA’s Jukebox Bellydance at the Daugherty Arts Center; The Sirens and Gothic Sword performed at Aftermath Show at the North Door; Sword at Z-Helene’s Ode to the Elements Revisited Show at the Vortex Theater; Traditional and Experimental Floorwork at the Austin Belly Dance Convention at the Austin Belly Dance Convention |
| 2013 | Tribal Fusion Askew, Zefiro Torna (Zephyr (the west wind that brings Spring) Returns) and Experimental Improvisation with Djahari, Hannah, Anaheed, David Kammerer and Joe Savage performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Untitled performed with Esteban; Veil performed at Belly Dance Superstars’ Club Bellydance; Traditional and Contemporary Floorwork performed at Austin Belly Dance Convention; Creating a Dance a Day During the Month of May performed on YouTube.com |
| 2012 | That Moment of Melancholy While Traveling performed at Cairo Carnival and IBCC; Veil performed at Cairo Carnival; Sleeping Prince performed at Once Upon a Time; 20’s Song co-choreographed with Djahari performed at the Hidden Room’s Mystery Show |
| 2011 | Sensing the Suspension: A Study of an Object: Fence performed at X-MED; Duet with violinist Teresa Joy performed at ABDC |
| 2008 | Minara performed at Tribal Dance/Fusion Dance and EEMED; Twilight performed at EEMED; Warm Fuzzies performed at EEMED |
| 2007 | Falling for Echo performed at Dance in the Desert, X–MED and EEMED; Structured Improvisation #2 performed at EEMED and Tribal Dance/Fusion Dance; Mishaal and Double Veil performed at IAMED’s This is Belly Dance 007; Layla Hob performed at Vegas Bellydance Intensive |
| 2006 | Thirsty performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance, Instant Review performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Vampira performed at Halloween Hex; Untitled 2 performed at Moun of Tunis and Perfumes of Araby Swapmeet, On the Wrong Side of Nowhere performed at X–MED and An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance, Veil 2 and Sita performed at Desert Sin’s Sita’s Fire; Class work performed at Cal Poly, Pomona |
| 2005 | Plan 9 Take 2 performed at Dance Macabre, Folk Dance and Raqs al–Assaya # 4 performed at IAMED’s Let’s Dance; Unknown, Becoming, Eden, Loie Fuller performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Full Dance Routine performed at Café Beledy |
| 2004 | Snake, performed at Desert Sin’s Musée des Femmes – Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque; Part 1 and Sword 2, performed at IAMED’s Belly Dance Rocks!; Part 1 and 2, Transference performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance |
| 2003 | Raks al–Assaya, Quadruple Veils performed at IAMED’s This is Belly Dance; The Story of Laurel, Plan Nine performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance |
| 2002 | Even performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Reverse, performed at Cairo Carnivale and An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Hole and the Willow performed at Cafe Beledy, An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance and One Enchanted Evening; The Ecstasy of Dance performed at Cafe Beledy |
| 2001 | Ditma, The Harem, performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance |
| 2000 | The Lighthouse of Alexandria; The Jelly; Volatile Bodies; Instant Review; Untitled #1, performed at An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance |
| 1999 | Instant Review performed at Cafe Beledy; Class work performed at Pau Hana, UCLA |
| 1994-present | Choreograph or improvise all solo and troupe performances (See Middle Eastern Dance – Solo and Director) |
Ya Helewa! Dance Company
| Year | Choreographies |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Los Angeles, CA: EEMED |
| 2012 | Austin TX: Once Upon a Time |
| 2011 | Austin, TX: X-MED; ABA’s Jukebox Belly Dance |
| 2009 | Los Angeles, CA: Cairo Caravan; Moun of Tunis; Perfumes of Araby Swapmeet San Diego, CA: Once upon a Belly Dance |
| 2008 | Los Angeles, CA: MECDA Carnival; Perfumes of Araby Swapmeet San Diego, CA: Tribal Dance/Fusion Dance |
| 2007 | Los Angeles, CA: TaXim; Café Beledy; X–MED; EEMED San Francisco, CA: Rakkasah Las Vegas , NV: Belly Dance Intensive |
| 2006 | Los Angeles, CA: Desert Sin’s Sita’s Fire; X–MED; Moun of Tunis Restaurant; Cairo Carnivale; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Private Events San Francisco, CA: Rakkasah |
| 2005 | Los Angeles, CA: Mantra Girl’s CD release party; Desert Sin’s Musée des Femmes – Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Cafe Beledy; Dance Macabre |
| 2004 | Los Angeles, CA: Desert Sin’sMusée des Femmes – Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque; IAMED’sBelly Dance Rocks!; Cafe Beledy; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance San Diego, CA: An Evening of Music and Dance |
| 2003 | Los Angeles, CA: An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade; Cafe Beledy; Cairo Carnival; Saw Dust Festival |
| 2002 | Los Angeles, CA: Cafe Beledy; Market at the Kasbah; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance San Diego, CA: One Enchanted Evening |
| 2001 | Los Angeles, CA: Pars Restaurant; Cafe Beledy; Tapestry of America; Central Coast Middle Eastern Dance Festival; An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance San Diego, CA: One Enchanted Evening |
| 2000 | Los Angeles, CA: An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance; Saw Dust Festival; Knitting Factory; Cairo Carnival; Market at the Kasbah; Moun of Tunis Marrakesh Restaurant; Cafe Beledy; Belly Dance Buffet; Perfumes of Araby’s Middle Eastern Dance Swap Meet San Diego, CA: Bedouin Bazaar |
Dance Companies
Dance Companies Director
| Year | Dance Companies |
|---|---|
| 1997-2018 | • Served as director of Ya Helewa!, a dance company that performed a diverse repertory of traditional and experimental Middle Eastern dance improvisations and choreographies. • Served as company director for troupes performing in various professional and academic venues. • Duties consisted of organizing and evaluating auditions, scheduling and running rehearsals, locating performing opportunities and choreographing dances. |
| 2017 | Raqs Amara; Sydney, Australia (Director/Choreographer) |
| 1998–2013 | Ya Helewa!; Los Angeles, CA; Austin, TX (Director/Choreographer) |
Dance Companies Member
| Year | Dance Companies |
|---|---|
| 2004–2013 | Desert Sin; Los Angeles CA |
| 1998–2008 | Perfumes of Araby; Los Angeles CA |
| 2000–2001 | Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers; Los Angeles CA |
| 1997–1998 | Viviane’s Dance Theater; Los Angeles, CA |
| 1995–1996 | The Magic Carpet Dancers; Las Vegas, NV |
| 1993–1995 | Troupe Arabesque; Tallahassee, FL |
| 1992–1993 | Sally Rubenstein’s Dance Company; Tallahassee, FL |
| 1987–1989 | Ballet Hysell, New Orleans |
Event Productions
none
Stage Productions
| Year | Productions |
|---|---|
| 1999-present | • Launched several long-running events, such as dance concerts, workshops and conferences. • Fostered and developed artistic endeavors and careers through multimedia and various venues. • Built supportive dance communities and foster artists to reach intellectual and artistic goals, in a variety of avenues. • Productions have been featured in magazines and newspapers. • Duties included administration, marketing, publicity, budgeting, and staff and talent management. |
| 2018 – 2020 | Parramasala Festival – A multicultural event and Western Sydney’s largest festival. 2018 – Curator of the Contemporary Dance Series at Riverside Theatres. 2019 – The survival kit of the cultural dancer – Partnership with FORM Dance Projects and Parramasala Festival; Assistant Dance Producer |
| 2014-present | The Austin Belly Dance Convention – A nationally recognized annual three-day convention centered on Middle Eastern dance, which included workshops and lectures in dance, music and costuming, performances and vending. Co-Producer; Austin, TX |
| 2013 | Tarab – 2 series (May & Aug) of workshop and performance series with a focus on improvisation and live music. Creator, Co–Producer, Performer, Teacher; Austin, TX |
| 2012-present | Training4DanceTeachers – A seminar series designed for new and seasoned teachers; Austin, TX |
| 2011 | Improvisational Dance Series – Workshop and concert series presenting 9 different types of improvisational dance, including Belly Dance, Bharata Natyam, Bollywood, Butoh, Contemporary, 5Rhythms, Hip Hop, Tango, and West African. Creator, Co–Producer, Performer, Teacher; Austin, TX |
| 2000-2008, 2013 | Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance – An innovative concert in which artist push the boundaries of movement, costume, make–up, music, lighting, and genre in a theatrical setting. Creator, Producer, Artistic Director, Performer; Los Angeles, CA |
| 2006-2008, 2013 | X–MED – An intensive three day workshop on Experimental Middle Eastern Dance. The first of its kind, this workshop is creating a pedagogy and a training ground for an emerging dance form. Co–Creator, Co–Producer, Coordinator, Teacher, Performer; Los Angeles, CA, Austin, TX |
| 2006 | How to Teach Middle Eastern Dance – A seminar series designed for new and seasoned teachers. Covering kinesiological effectiveness of warm up, cold downs, stretches, and injury prevention; leaning style theory, structuring creative movement exploration; and how to construct a class and class series. Also helped teachers define their personal philosophy of dance education and pedagogical style though reading, writing, presentations, feedback and evaluations; Los Angeles, CA |
| 2001 | Amara’s Showcase – A monthly performance at Pars Restaurant where dancers of all levels performed in a nightclub venue. Creator, Producer, Performer; Los Angeles, CA |
| 2000 | Belly Dance Buffet – One day of performances and workshops on alternative ways to approach Middle Eastern dance. Co–creator; Co–producer, Performer, Teacher; Los Angeles, CA |