Katya Faris is from Bloomington, Indiana, and has been dancing in the traditions of the Middle East since 1991. She is a dancer adept in many regional Middle Eastern styles, as well as an aspiring scholar in the field of Folklore/Ethnomusicology. Her vast knowledge of authentic dance techniques and musical forms is matched by her subtlety, grace, and personal charm. A typical performance with Katya features her dancing in the traditions of Egyptian Raqs Sharqi, Turkish Orientale, and American cabaret style “belly dance”, all complete with superb finger cymbal playing and veils. She also does more folkloric styles such as Ghawazee, and Dunyavi style gypsy dances, as well as Arabic cane and sword dancing.

Katya’s dance background is vast. Beginning with Ballet at the age of 5, she has also studied the Modern dance of Martha Graham. She received her B.A. in International Studies from Buter University, and was lucky to have taken many non-major dance classes in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz.  Larry White, a principle dancer with Martha’s company, was Katya’s teacher at Butler University;  Bud Kirwin was Katya’s jazz teacher at Butler. Katya began studying Bellydance with Judy Eudaly at the age of 19, and then Faten Ali Munger a year later. Since then she has incorporated the styles of Indian Rajasthani, Persian, Flamenco, and Cuban salsa into her repertoire, and these elements have influenced her style of Belly Dance. Katya’s interest in Eastern Mysticism has led her to learn Yoga, as well as incorporating elements of Sufi whirling in her dance compositions. All of these elements make for an enchanting and inspiring performance.

She has taken workshops, master classes, private classes, and/or has been influenced by both national and international instructors such as:

Ms. Faris’ dance experience includes teaching and performing throughout the US. She has taught both adults and children the fundamentals of various Middle Eastern traditions of dance in both studios and educational venues. Her performances include appearances at:

• The Indianapolis Museum of Art
• The Cincinnati and Indianapolis Children’s Museums
• The Murat Shrine Temple in the Egyptian Room
• The Athenaeum in Indianapolis, Indiana
• The Verizon Wireless Music Center (formerly Deer Creek) in Noblesville, Indiana
• The Indiana State Fair
• The Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, Bloomington, Indiana
• The Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie, IN
• Borders Books and Music in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois
• Greek and Arabic restaurants and nightclubs in Indianapolis, Chicago, NYC and Los Angeles
• Various ethnic festivals, benefits, and dance shows

She has performed with the Arabic band, Salaam, as their principal dancer from 1997-1999, and showcased at four of their CD release parties, the annual Middle Eastern Gala, the last one being in 2007. Many of the above performances are with Salaam, as well as the Indianapolis Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, in which Katya was co-director, along with Rebecca Reneau from 1995-1996.

Turkish Sufi musician, Latif Bolat has invited her for performances at:

• Indiana University/Bloomington
• University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana, and
• Ohio State

Katya is currently a dancer at The Saffron Cafe, downtown Indianapolis, IN, www.saffroncafe-indy.com, and performs there every Thursday from 7-9pm. From 2002-2006 she taught Middle Eastern Dance at Indiana University, Bloomington Campus where she was the Director of the Middle Eastern Dance Program at the Student Recreation Sports Center (SRSC).  She is working on her Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology at Indiana University, studying the Ethnography of Middle Eastern Music and Dance.  She now teaches groups and private lessons, as well as mentors up and coming professionals.  She is preparing to open her own dance studio, the Mosaic Dance Academy, this Fall 2010 in downtown Bloomington.

Katya’s performances always generate a great deal of energy and excitement. Audiences have responded to her dances with overwhelming enthusiasm. Her talent and loyalty to an authentic traditional style have proved to be both educational and entrancing.

Email her at: katya@katyafaris.com