Queens of the Universe





			Looking to find something for herself, a friend saw in the Chesterfield Parks & Recs a class for Belly Dancing. Anita laughed at first but said, "what the heck!" That was in 2001 and today she is still hooked! In early 2009, Anita started classes with Ann and shortly thereafter was approached about becoming a “Queen”. It took her some time to feel worthy but she is so glad to be a part of the troupe. She has been asked to teach a truly beginner class in Emporia, but is still thinking about that one!





			been performing up and down the east coast for a number of years. Ann became interested in Middle Eastern dance when she saw a local dancer perform. She soon became mesmerized by the movements and the power of the music and stayed to learn more!! Middle Eastern dance beautiful dance form. She has had the opportunity to study and learn from master teachers and dancers from around the world. Ann was a member of the Richmond area, Women of Selket Middle Eastern dance troupe when she decided to branch out and start her own dance classes and troupe. The wonderful result was The Queens of the Universe dance troupe, a group of student dancers who love to dance and to perform. The troupe name came about because during class, Ann would admonish her students to stand tall, be proud, and dance like they were the queens of the universe. The name stuck!!





			One of the founding members of the Queens of the Universe (QOTU) Dance Troupe, Barbara began belly dance lessons in Germany from Satania (Sharon Weiss of San Diego). When she moved to Richmond, she learned from Sheva. After performing in her first recital, she was hooked on the dance and the costumes. Barbara danced at the Phoenicia and the Palisades and, during that time, attended belly dance seminars with well-known teachers such Ibrahim Farrah, Phaedra, Horatio, Morocco, Elona, and others. Later, she took belly dance lessons from Heidi in Nurnberg on her second German tour. Barbara continued attending belly dance seminars there, though at times the language was a challenge. In Nurnberg, she had the wonderful opportunity to dance on a regular basis in several local restaurants featuring belly dancers. Since returning to the U.S., first to New Jersey and ultimately back to Richmond, Barbara has been able to continue her belly dance education through local teachers and seminars and perform in Colonial Heights and Richmond.





			Deborah began dancing in 1982 with the great Lettie Abdelaziz (stage name Mish Mish D'Amira) at the YWCA in NYC. She danced for 5 years in NY before moving to Germany where she continued dancing on and off for several years. Upon return to the US and moving to Virginia, she studied with Alice Warner for 2 years, Heather Merrill for a year and has been a member of the Queens of the Universe for the past 5 years studying with the fabulous and extremely talented Ann Elliotte.





			Jeannie was introduced to belly dancing purely by chance when she signed up for a beginner class at the Colonial Heights Recreation Department in June 2004. Jeannie has always loved to dance, get dressed up and enjoys making people smile. It has been a full-blown love affair with belly dancing, the costumes and the dear friends she has met. Belly dancing is indeed one of her greatest passions. She has the honor of being a member of the dance troupe Queens of the Universe and chose Hana as her dance name in honor of her granddaughter.





			Joyce started taking a belly dance class for exercise, which turned into a passion. She started in 2004 and has been dancing ever since. She plans to keep going until she cant dance anymore! When the Queens were formed, Joyce was one of the original dancers who helped Ann make the decision to create the troupe.





			Kara decided to start belly dancing after a trip to the Virginia Renaissance Faire in 2007. Since that time, she has taken lessons with three different teachers and decided to start performing after attending a Queens of the Universe hafla. She loves belly dance because it has grown her confidence tremendously and makes her feel happy. Kara enjoys the ability to express herself in her own unique way and loves bringing creativity and drama to her dance. She chose to join the Queens of the Universe after seeing what a wonderful group of ladies they are and wanting to get more involved in the bellydance community.





			Patty joined a belly dance class on a dare with some co-workers in the late 70's and continued taking classes for several years. Then she decided to try martial arts and after 10 years and a 3rd degree black belt, she returned in 2002 to her first love - belly dancing. An original founding member of the Queens of the Universe troupe, she participates in classes taught by other local teachers, workshops as well as Latin Dancing.





			Rosemary saw a sign advertising a bellydance class and thought it sounded like a fun thing to do, so she signed up! The instructor asked her where she wanted to go with her dancing and she responded "I am only doing this for the exercise and the fun of it. I never want to perform for an audience!" That was in November 2004, Rosemary has been taking classes and dancing ever since. And yes, she has performed for an audience too! She has been a QotU since the troupe formed.