About
Jasmine
Jasmine
discovered dance during her studies at the University of
Memphis. Though a film major, Jasmine continued to study
dance on the side, teaching for the Memphis Arts Council,
choreographing original works, and performing with a number
of local modern dance companies including Project:Motion,
Metal Velvet Dance Project, and Memphis Dance Group. After
receiving degrees in both film and dance in 2001, Jasmine
fused the two disciplines with her Masters studies in Communication,
focusing on dance for the camera, an art form dedicated
to creating chorographic works using film.
As
an Italian-American born and raised in Sicily, Jasmine grew
to appreciate different cultures at a young age. It was
this facination of world cultures that brought Jasmine to
start bellydancing in 2000 with the Pyramid 
Dance
Company. During her stay with Pyramid, she served as instructor,
principal performer, and assistant director to the company.
As an avid pupil of Danse Oriental, Jasmine continually
seeks to study the artform under numerous instructors. Individuals
with whom she has had the opportunity to take workshops
under include Tayaar Akdenez, Dahlena of Chicago, Tamalyn
Dallal, Leila Gazal, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Jasmine Jahal, Morrocco,
Samara of New York, Nourhan Sharif, Yousry Sharif, and Bellydance
Superstars Jillina, Ansuya, Bozenka, and Sonia. As a performer,
Jasmine finds enjoyment in entertaining audiences. Her talent
has landed her on local stages, such as The Orpheum and
Buckman Performing Arts Theatre, and has carried her half
way round the world when she accepted a request to perform
for a Middle Eastern wedding celebration in Tunis,
Tunisia.
It
was after receiving her Masters that Jasmine decided to
take bellydancing to another level. In hopes of making bellydancing
popular as a preferred form of entertainment as well as
an exercise alternative, Jasmine has formed Dance with Jasmine,
a company aimed at promoting dance, most specifically Mid-East
dance, throughout the Memphis community. Her ties with other
dance communities in 
Memphis
and her work as a board member of the Tennessee Association
of Dance greatly aid her in achieving this goal of bringing
people together through movement.
