Testimonials One of New York's Premier Oriental Dancers, Here's what others are saying about Aszmara's Teaching and Performing Styles 

Gia al Qamar

    "Why...you're the Great Beloved One and Only Pure, Divine, Mystical Sultana of Syncopation!!!! "

And you can add to my vast list of sincere gushing that as your student, I have always greedily gobbled up every little nuiance of information that you have offered. Your incredible knowledge of music and your drive to teach the art of dancing musically has improved my work as a performer and now, as a teacher myself, I honor this dance by quoting you, quite often, to my students! I sincerely doubt that my zill playing would have grown beyond a 'gallop' had it not been for your keen ear, great ability to teach and the advice you've offered me inside and outside of class.

read Gia al Qamar's articles at http://www.TheHipCircle.com and visit her website http://www.IDreamOfGia.com

Deirdre Celestino

      " Each of your classes has always been educational, uplifting, inspiring, and above all, loads of fun. I am so happy and grateful that you continue to spread so much  joy and positive energy through Dance!"

Karen Traub - member Crescent Dancers

        "that's what inspires me most about your dancing. Because you are a trained dancer who understands the music, you are even better able to express your passion."

 Jenny Cohen         "Your pure joy in movement is still so vivid"

Melanie Smartt    http://minadancer.spaces.live.com

            member Angelika Nemeth Dance Ensemble

        " I took your workshop; it was magnificent! I was so drawn to you as I'm sure many are. Your dancing is gorgeous...I don't think anyone took a breath while watching you"

Belly Dancer Enter Aszmara on bold bare feet in a storm of black hair, face pale as Cleopatra. She nods to the drummer, signals the beat. The oud player plucks his strings. Her arms, laddered in bracelets, rise up. Her belly begins its isolated undulations, sequins shimmer her hips, black chiffon slides over her flesh - her navel plays hide and seek in the folds. On her fingertips brass cymbals ring changes, she stamps, whirls, makes dark eddies with her scarf, sinks to the floor, moves like seaweed under a turbulent wave, then rises, supplicating heaven with her eyes. At my side three pubescent girls in tight tank tops lean forward, stare awestruck at the act, while I like an aging harem mother, lean back on my fat cushions and smile. Marie Prentice 2006

“Aszmara, an internationally known dancer, provided one of the highlights of the day with an exquisite solo. Using every inch of her eloquent body she clarified the music in all its depth and richness.”   Reading Times, PA

“There were several vivid solos. ‘Herosi Bar,’ choreographed and performed by Aszmara... began languidly, then grew increasingly intense.”     Jack Anderson, New York Times

“Aszmara... respected for their high production value and their repertory of dances spanning the Middle Eastern spectrum”    Arabesque Magazine, NY

“... frenzied moments surfaced when Aszmara made full use of theatrical possibilities of the finger-cymbals and swirling chiffon costumes of her own design.”     The Irish Times, Dublin

“She is the most beautiful... and dances so, that one is first in the story of a Thousand and One Nights.”    Zurich Press, Switzerland

“... a fire red whirlwind is Aszmara. Her artistic movements go beyond this dance.”    Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Switzerland

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