Members

"Elizabeth "Mahina" Souza has been dancing for as long as she could walk. She studied hula, tahitian, ballet, jazz, as well as bellydance. She was a principle dancer at "The Tikis!" in Monterey Park, and with Les Polynesia Dance Company under the directorship of Ilima Montgomery. Elizabeth has appeared in print ads, commercials, on stage, and television.
During her college years Elizabeth was introduced to belly dance and studied under several teachers, Cella Miller, Janea Drummond, Caroleena Epstein, and Allegra who were all students of MaShuqa. Elizabeth and her sister Yasmine Mankowski formed a dance troupe that used both Polynesian and Bellydance influence called Raks Ohana. They performed at many events including Cairo Carnivale and Bedouin Bazaar. She now teaches belly dance at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, Body Satva Yoga studio in Thousand Oaks, and from her home studio both group and private lessons. She continues to expand her knowledge of belly dance by taking workshops as often and from as many teachers as possible, including Carolena Nericcio, Rachel Brice, Ansuya, Jill Parker, Sabrina Fox, Judeen, Amy Sigil & Alexandra King.
In 2003 she discovered American Tribal Style Bellydance which carries a strong element of the divine feminine so important in her life.
She also has recieved Basic Skills Certification in ATS by Carolena Nericcio. Under the guidance of Ayse Cerami, Elizabeth has been able to fine tune her varied dance and artistic background into one fusion style. She has danced with Ayse in the troupes Kamala Varna, Sundara Varna, the Sisterhood Dance collective and now She'enedra. She is also a painter, costumer, handspinner, & weaver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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