Mezzelli

Mezzelli started dancing at age 5 and has been dancing ever since. Of Romanian and Turkish descent she comes from a long line of musicians and entertainers who fostered her creativity and love of dance. She has a background in ballet, jazz, gymnastics, hip hop and yoga. In high school she was on the cheer dance squad where she competed on the National level in Florida and Hawaii. Her love affair with belly dance started in 2001 where she began studying with Ray Anne of Egyptian Breeze. Mezzelli is currently teaching in Tipp City at two different dance locations. She has studied intensively with Cassandra, Sahra Saeeda, and Aziza. Continuing education is important to Mezzelli and has studied under such big names as Tamallyn Dallal, Kaeshi of BellyQueen, Ava Fleming, Bahaia, Cheryl Bushey, Conchi and Deniz Miller. She appreciates all styles of oriental dance but does not claim to have a speciality. She is skilled in American Style veil work and is currently studying hoop and poi arts. If you are interested in taking classes with Mezzelli or would like to hire her for an event you can contact her at Mezzelli@gmail.com.

Kazimiera

While walking through the streets of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Kazimiera saw two flyers in a store window advertising dance classes; one for African dance, the other for belly dance. Kazimiera a long time lover of dance and its various styles wanted to experience a new style and found herself at a crossroads as the classes were scheduled at the same time in different locations. Which one to pick? She had taken and loved ballet, tap, and jazz in her home town of Springfield and was a student at Wittenberg University with a dance minor. Studying dance in a classroom opened her eyes to the various aspects of dance - the history, ethnology, famous dancers and choreographers, how to choreograph her own dances and she learned two new dance styles; modern and Chinese. She took out her pen, wrote down Ray-Anne's phone number and has been belly dancing ever since. 

Ray-Anne, a beautiful and wonderful dancer, inspired Kazimiera to continue her study of belly dance, become a member of Egyptian Breeze and express herself through performances.

Kazimiera spent a year studying abroad in Mexico, where she continued her study of ballet, took classes in hip hop dance and learned the powerful, passion filled Flamenco dance.

Three years in Germany gave Kazimiera the opportunity to study with Reyhan, a graceful Egyptian style belly dancer. Kazimiera also taught beginning and intermediate dance to the women of the Mannheim Army Base Community.

Kazimiera has built her dance skills by attending workshops with belly dance greats and has had the opportunity to perform at several festivals and events in the Yellow Springs area as well as many private performances.

Currently living in Columbus, Ohio, Kazimiera will soon be teaching belly dance classes there and is available for private parties and classes. Email Kazimiera at hipnoticmessages@yahoo.com.
 

Siaya Anna
Siaya Anna began her dance career at a tender age, first learning tap with her sisters. While in high school, she participated in a Ballet and Modern curriculum and knew dance would be an integral part of her life. Siaya Anna attended Arizona State University (ASU) and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.

While at ASU Siaya Anna had the opportunity to study with Bill Evans Dance Company. From Arizona State she performed at Central State University, Ohio, prior to auditioning and earning a spot in Philadanco Dance Company, Philadelphia, Pa. While a student at Philadanco, Siaya Anna had the privilege of studying with educators from Alvin Ailey's Dance Company.

From Philadelphia, Siaya Anna moved to Seattle, Washington
where she continued to study with Bill Evans. After living, dancing and working in Seattle, Siaya Anna returned to Ohio.

She returned to performing and choreographing at Central State University. At Central State, Siaya Anna toured secondary schools in the greater Dayton area,performing and giving lecture demonstrations on various Dance forms. Siaya Anna taught for the National Youth Program.

Siaya earned a Master of Science in Sports Studies from Miami University of Ohio. There she met her Dance mentor W. Eric Aikens. Mr. Aikens invited Siaya Anna to co-direct his Dance ensemble "One Nation Performance Ensemble" whose mission was to dance for social justice and social change. Siaya Anna co-directed the company with Mr. Aikens, choreographed pieces for One Nation, served as a rehearsal mistress, and performed with the company for over ten years.

In 1992 during her tenure at One Nation Performance Ensemble, Siaya Anna began performing and choreographing at Antioch College in Yellow Springs,Ohio. She also performed in, and provided choreography for several University of Dayton Dance concerts during the 1990s.

Siaya Anna was fortunate to be able to teach Dance as an adjunct for Sinclair Community College for almost ten years. In addition to her teaching responsibility, she choreographed and performed for the Sinclair Dance Concerts.

Siaya Anna is the Artistic Director and founder of "Valdance1(dans)", which she founded in 1997. Siaya Anna provides opportunities for students young and older to learn the art of Dance. Siaya hosts,choreographs and performs in her annual Community Dance Concert which has become a tradition in the Yellow Springs community.

In 1998 Siaya Anna co-founded a movement cooperative,the "Yellow Springs Moving Arts Studio" with three other artists. She stayed with the cooperative for almost five years.

In addition to her accomplishments and community involvement as a dancer, choreographer and performer,Siaya Anna has worked with children of all ages. She substitute taught for five years in the Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She also participated in assistant coaching a children's soccer team, was a football mom, and served as a chaperone on any and almost all of her son's field trips. She is a friend and "Mom" to dozens of young people.

Siaya Anna performed in various musicals and has performed with her mother as a singer during her lifetime. Siaya Anna choreographed several Yellow Springs High School musicals and performed in several as well. She served as the Drama Club adviser. Siaya Anna has performed in three Cincinnati, Ohio Contemporary Dance Theatre's "Choreographers Without Companies" Dance concerts. For three years Siaya Anna was an invited guest at the Contemporary Dance Theatre's Performance and Time Arts (PTA) Series.

Siaya Anna began her Belly Dance career three years ago. After watching Egyptian Breeze Belly Dance Troupe perform on her annual dance concerts each year, she promised herself she would learn this beautiful art form. Siaya Anna has not looked back. Belly Dance is one of her favorite forms of movement. She enjoys the expressiveness, the technique, and the joy of Belly Dancing. Siaya Anna is very happy to be a member of Egyptian Breeze and feels blessed to have wonderful friendships with the ladies of the troupe.