Anthea (Kawakib)'s primary focus is dance, specializing in professional performing and teaching.    As a dancer, she's recognized for her warm, elegant style and instinctive interpretation of the music in rhythm and movement. Her precise technique and attention to detail not only make her a popular performer, but enable her to effectively pass on her knowledge to other dancers. Her professional experience and teaching methodology have been recognized by the National Association for Teaching Certification in Middle Eastern Dance.    A featured dancer at D.C.'s Marrakesh restaurant for 15 years, Anthea has also appeared in professional theatre productions, the media, and numerous Mid-eastern supper clubs in the D.C. metro area. Besides performing, she specializes in effective teaching and community building within the classroom.    Her talent for rhythmic expression is reflected in her signature "Finger Cymbal Solos", one of which can be seen on "Lifting The Veil of Time" (Solo on Youtube; DVD available from serpentine.org).  RESUME LINKS:  Restaurant Gigs  |  Teaching Experience  |  Workshop Experience  |   Troupe Director  |  Producer/Sponsor  |  Videos  |  Writing  |  Professional Training  |  Lecture-Demos  |  Other  |

Performances at "First Night/VA" statewide community arts celebration on New Year's Eve:
2002 - Fredericksburg
1995 - Leesburg
1994 - Warrenton
1989 through 1993 - Leesburg
1986 through 1988 - Charlottesville

Artistic Director
2000 Founded 'Tribe Odyssey' (student performing group now part of Prism Dancers)
1999 Founded 'Pearls of Rhythm' percussion & dance troupe (1999-2003)
1997 Co-founded (with Donna Jackson) 'Diva Dancers' of Fredericksburg VA
1994 through 1997: Artistic Director of 'Topkapi Dancers'
1989 Founded 'Prism Dancers' (student performing group) 

Production Experience: Workshops and/or Shows
2003 "East Meets West III" (co-producer: Miramar)
2002 "East Meets West II" (co-producer: Miramar)
2001 "East Meets West I" (co-producer: Miramar)
2000 "Magic of Bellydance" show (co-producer: Donna Jackson)
2000 "Dancing In The Woods II" seminar with Malika, guest artist 
2000 "Living Dance & Drum" seminar with Tahya, guest artist 
2000 "An Evening of Bellydance, Drumming, and Fun" with guest troupe Anima 
       Mundi
1999 "Dancing In The Woods I" seminar (co-produced with Donna Jackson)

Student Recitals: 
2001 through 2007: Fredericksburg ("MidSummer Magic")
1992, 1994 through 1998: Charlottesville 

Teaching Experience - regular weekly classes since 1988
1999 through present: Weekly classes (several levels) in Spotsylvania VA (privately & 
      through Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation Dept.)
1998 through present: Bi-weekly (through 2002) then monthly classes in
      Mideastern-style Percussion (Central Rappahannock Regional Library in
      Fredericksburg VA)
1997 through 1998: Weekly classes in Woodbridge VA (StarDance Ballroom)
1988 through 1998: Taught several levels of weekly classes in Charlottesville VA
      (through Albemarle County Community Education Dept.)

Lecture-demonstrations for Arts and Civic Organizations: 
Annual Fredericksburg Women's Forum
Central Rappahannock Library: Headquarters and Salem Church branches (F'burg VA)
Rappahannock Association for Arts in the Community (Washington VA)
Middle Street Gallery (Washington VA)
Spirit Arts (Washington VA)
Life Is Learning (Warrenton VA)
Culpeper Ruritans
Lake of the Woods Lions Club

Study & Training
1987 Joined Topkapi Dancers (Mideastern folkloric troupe) of Fairfax VA. Performed
      both folkloric and solo Oriental Dance at the National Theatre on several 
      occasions. Resigned in good standing 1997
1986 through 1988 Mentored by Bedia for private party performances
1985 through 1988 Attended classes (group & private) with Bedia (Sandra Koskoff);
      also took teacher training under Bedia; attended numerous workshops with 
      nationally-known dance artists from 1985 through present
1979 Began private study & research on bellydance

Additional Experience
1999 Appeared as bellydancer 'Tintinabula' (A Funny Thing Happened On The Way
    To The Forum) in 4-5 shows a week for a three-month run at Riverside Dinner
      Theatre, Fredericksburg VA

National Exposure:
2002 Pearls of Rhythm Troupe won 2nd Place in "East Coast Classic Bellydance 
       Contest")
2000 www.kawakib.com's "Stage Makeup" page featured as ZAGHAREET! magazine's 
     "Internet Pick" (Sept/Oct. issue)
1999 Featured as ZAGHAREET! magazine's "Shimmering Star of the Future"
      (May/June issue)
1999 Won "Best Kept Secret" (Golden Belly Awards - national poll).
1992 Featured in cameo appearance as a bellydancer on UNSOLVED MYSTERIES TV 
      show detailing the unexplained harassment of the Marrakesh's owner, 'Bachir' 
      Kouchakji 
1986 through present: Featured in numerous newspaper articles and interviews

Published Articles:
HABIBI, CRESCENT MOON, MIDDLE EASTERN DANCER, ZAGHAREET!, GILDED SERPENT online magazine, Washington Area Mid-East Dance Association newsletter. 

2001 through present: Staff writer for ZAGHAREET! Magazine ("For Beginners" column)

Instructional Manuals:
"Kawakib's Dance Tips"
"Guide to Teaching Mideastern Dance"
"TRIBAL ODYSSEY Manual" (for original form of group-improvisational bellydance)

Video Performances:
1997 Nadia Hamdi Seminar Show, Gainesville FL (sponsored by Zarifa Said)
1994 Performed in "Lifting the Veil of Time" video: two Persian dances (choreographed by M. Khordadian),
and original A Capella Finger Cymbal Solo (now on YouTube)
1990 Cassandra Show (sponsored by Bedia)
1988 Bedia's Recital, with guest artist Nelli
1987 through present: Various WAMEDA Haflas & Recitals