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.
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