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About Zulaika...

"I am a dancer and a former elementary education teacher
who stumbled into the fascinating world of Middle Eastern
dance. I love the joyous, celebratory music and dance
of this culture and sharing it with youth and adults through
performances, dance classes, lecture demonstrations,
workshops, and residencies. I believe that the arts are a vital
key to understanding our world and ourselves."           

     A life long student of dance, Zulaika studied various forms from childhood through college: ballet, modern, ballroom, and musical comedy.
It was after graduating from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1974 with a B.S. in Elementary Education, she stumbled into
the fascination world of Middle Eastern Dance through the local YWCA. Upon relocating to the Twin Cities in 1980, she continued her
study of Middle Eastern Dance at the Cassandra School. She has studied with internationally recognized teachers to learn dances
of Egypt, Lebanon,Morocco, Persia, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. In 1993, 2000, and again in August 2002, she toured and studied dance
in Egypt. In 2005 Zulaika toured and studied dance in Lebanon in 2000 and Morocco in 2005.

     Zulaika began teaching Middle Eastern dance in Minneapolis area community education programs in 1985. From 1997 until her recent
relocation to Washington, Zulaika was a teacher of Beginner and Level II students at the Cassandra School. She also substitute taught
intermediate through advanced levels (III-V) and Technique Topics.

     Zulaika's performance career began as a headline soloist performer in several Twin Cities Middle Eastern restaurants and at metro area
Arabic weddings and celebrations from 1984 and continued to 2004. In 1998 and 1999, she was invited to perform at the Milwaukee,
Wisconsin Arabian Fest. In addition, Zulaika was a founding member of the Jawaahir Dance Company from its' founding by
Artistic Director Cassandra Shore in 1989 until her recent relocation to Washington in 2007.

     For 25 years Zulaika has presented Middle Eastern dance and culture in a lecture and demonstration format for children in elementary
and secondary schools throughout the Minneapolis, MN metro area. Some highlights includ;  presenting workshops at Chippewa
Middle School in Moundsview, MN as part of their Mid East Sampler Day for ten consecutive years,  presentations for students and
faculty at Huron University, Huron, South Dakota for International Day, and for presenting for school administrators at the Minneapolis
School District's Diversity Workshop. Prior to moving to Washington, Patricia was a rosterd artist with Young Audiences of Minnesota,
the Minnesota State Arts Board, and COMPAS. All three rosters require audition selection processes.

     Zulaika’s love of Middle Eastern dance and her commitment to learning,understanding, and presenting this traditional art form within
its cultural context is evident in her performances, workshops and residencies. It combines her two passions — teaching and
the joyous, expressive art of Arabian dance.

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