Isn't it amazing how evocative a name can be? "Shahzaadee." The mere sound of it conjures images of exotic places, timeless elegance, and mysteries yet to be discovered. Shahzaadee, the name, is Old Ottoman Empire in derivation, meaning "princess". Shahzaadee, the person, is as lovely, commanding, regal, and graceful as her name implies.
Shahzaadee (aka Shelley Epling) began her dance studies as a child Bristol, VA. At the time, one of her favorite television shows was "I Dream of Jeannie." The main character seemed exotic and exciting, and sparked in Shelley the desire to further explore the world of granted wishes, magic bottles, and undulating hips. Borrowing every library book that even referenced caravans or minarets, Shelley began a lifetime fascination with all things middle eastern.
Fast forward a few years and Shelley, already proficient in jazz and modern dance was delighted to find that a Middle Eastern instructor had moved to her hometown. Riscalla (aka Dolores Maxin) was the person who introduced Shahzaadee to the delights of belly dance. After a while, Pat Jessee moved to town and became another early influence, serving as Shahzaadee's "inspiration to study international folk dance." These first teachers opened the door for Shahzaadee to be able to "create and express" dance in her own unique way, starting her on the path that has led to where she is today.
The next phase of Shahzaadee's dance career evolved when she moved to Asheville, NC. This was an exciting time for her; a time when she first began teaching, vending , designing and sewing. It also marked the beginning of her association with Colorful Waves dance troupe, for which she still serves as artistic director. Shahzaadee recalls that her favorite performing experience involved Nomadic Angel, a "gypsy rock band" from Asheville that played "world beat music" a la the Indigo Girls. During the performance, the band handed out instruments to the audience while Shahzaadee danced, initiating an interactive experience that was exhilarating. It produced, as Shahzaadee says, "good energy and a fun effort." Performances such as these that "fed (her) soul" enabled her to experience a true "synergy with other dancers" as well as with the audience itself.
Asheville led Shahzaadee to grow and mature as a dancer, teacher and businessperson; it also brought her together with her "favorite musician- Soner Cicek", with whom she currently shares her life- personal and professional. It was through Soner that Shahzaadee had the "opportunity presented to (her) out-of-the-blue" to visit Turkey. She has been there twice and plans to visit again this June, bringing along interested students who wish to experience its culture, dance heritage and sights, as well as workshops she will teach. Turkey is fascinating to Shahzaadee not only because of the beautiful coastline, the "fragrance of jasmine and freshly baked bread... the natural and man-made wonders (that) will take your breath away and humble you", but also because of the juxtaposition of old and new, radical and traditional. The contrast of "the grandmother... most of her body covered modestly, the mother in an understated scarf and a young daughter who looks like she just stepped from a sound set of MTV" fascinates her. "The people of Turkey are hospitable... they have an incredibly diverse dance background...they love music and socializing... sometimes song and dance erupt simultaneously from patrons who cannot hold themselves from celebrating life. Can you imagine Americans out for dinner at Red Lobster bursting into joyous song?"
Soner was also a catalyst for other changes in Shahzaadee's life as well. They wanted something "more challenging" and to live in a place that offered greater "support from the international community", and so they chose to move to the Triangle area of North Carolina. Despite that move, Shahzaadee's association with Colorful Waves continues, with performances such as those at the annual North Carolina Renaissance Faire. After coming to the Triangle, Shahzaadee began teaching, sponsoring various workshops, and the Evening Oasis series, but perhaps most significantly, met Gozde (aka Graelin Cameron) with whom she formed Eternal Oasis. Gozde and she "just clicked" right from the first time they met at a belly dance workshop. "We have the same frame of mind, ... complementary personalities,... and similar body types" all of which contribute to an ideal collaboration. Although they have been dancing professionally together for less than a year, their performances are seamless and their styles so well- matched that it seems as if they have been together from the start.
Shahzaadee is at a place in her life where she is "living her dreams." In teaching, she finds a "connectedness" to others that allows them to "explore the joy of dance," especially when they use Middle Eastern dance as a "doorway to other things... (discovering) their potential as an artist or creator." In her work as a cosmetologist at Shear Bliss, a day spa in Durham, Shahzaadee has found a job that she loves surrounded by colleagues that support and care about her. In her hobbies of painting and sculpting, she finds another outlet that allows her to be in that "timeless realm" of creativity and artistry. In her choreography, Shahzaadee finds inspiration that is "delivered by angels or ghosts of ancestors or maybe the dance goddess herself!" And in her performing, Shahzaadee finds the opportunity to share her expertise, the challenge to "create a mood" for her audience, and the chance to "creatively express" her interpretation of music through her costuming, attitude and movement; in sum, the gift of being able to entertain in a professional and yet passionate manner.
One of Shahzaadee's goals is to open an international dance school within the next two years which "will offer ethnic dance styles... (and) space for other dance groups to host gatherings and showcases." She also hopes to sponsor workshops "focusing on performance ethics, compensation, and skill advancement", as well as "Oasis Days" which will include dance skill, music knowledge, dance craft/sewing, and basic relaxation elements... an invaluable gathering for dancers to learn, create and bond." Shahzaadee hopes to be a major catalyst for belly dance in the Triangle area, with the aim that "dancers support one another and be responsible and impressive entertainers, teachers, (and) students."
Shahzaadee epitomizes her favorite dance style: Egyptian, which she deems "ladylike, lifted, intricate and technically the hardest to perform." All in all, this "artist to the soul" is a reflection of the name she bears and the goals she envisions: eminently gifted, consummately professional, and innately suited to be royalty in her chosen world of middle eastern and international dance.
About the author: Sashi (aka Patti Beaman) is a member of Blue Moon Belly Dance, and lives
in Apex with her wonderfully supportive and loving family: husband Brian, daughters Sara and
Emily, and her dog Casey. Sashi has been studying belly dance for two years, but wishes it
had been two decades instead.
Home | Upcoming Performances | Performers | Venues | Photo Gallery | Class Schedule | Special Workshops | Instructors | Articles | Swap Page | Links
