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Maeve Doyle (a.k.a. Mahliqa Durrdana) I first saw a belly dancer in Ireland (where I am from) many years ago. She was performing in a bar as entertainment during a beer promotion (there was an obscure Middle Eastern connection), and although the atmosphere was far from glamorous she was totally captivating and transcended her surroundings. I was enthralled by her costume and her movements, the sequins shimmering and the veils floating as she spun around. I thought to myself, I would LOVE to be able to do that someday. The opportunity arose when I moved to the US and I studied Egyptian-style cabaret with Leisha in Skippack, PA for almost two and a half years and then for six months with Fairouza, who was also in Skippack. I was a member of Leisha’s Middle Eastern Dance Troupe and had the opportunity to perform at many haflas and outdoor venues such as fairs, Earth Day Celebrations, open house events etc. After seeing performances by Kassar and also by Fleur, Vikki and previous members of Philadelphia Tribal Bellydance (PTB) in 2001 I was mesmerized. I was drawn by the earthiness and gracefulness of the Tribal style dance, and also by the improvisational aspect. It is very much a group performance, with each person performing as much or as little in the lead as she wishes. Tribal dancers dance as much for each other as for the audience, and there is a tremendous amount of support and encouragement given and received during a performance. I took a series of classes with Fleur Frascella, the founder of PTB, in 2002 and was asked to become a member of the troupe. In the fall of 2003, PTB dissolved and Vikki, Jessica and I formed our present troupe Hipnosis. By day I am an accountant and in my “spare time” I enjoy reading, sewing and hanging out with my wonderful husband, Paul Colgan and our beautiful boys, Cian and Enda. Belly dancing has brought so much into my life that I am grateful for everyday – grace, strength, improved posture and flexibility, great friends, a positive self-image, connection to the Earth and other women, and many other rewards.
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