We are so lucky to have a great variety of exciting performers showcasing a variety of styles!
All performers are generously volunteering their time and resources to raise money for NYIC and to introduce you to the unique beauty of their chosen dance styles.
Pixie Del Sole: The Nutcracker
Pixie Del Sole would like everyone to know that she is always doing Muppet fusion whether or not the occasion calls for it. Her first stage performance was at the tender age of 9 and she has been studying dance in some form or another most of her life. It was around campfires and drum circles that she fell in love with WANAH style dances and has been learning, performing for nearly 2 decades. Currently teaching Improv Style American Belly Dance at SUNY Broome, she can also be seen performing with Bellymancer out of Broome Co., and the WANAH Dance collective based in the Finger Lakes.
Anya Castelli: The Rat King
Anya Castelli first studied bellydance in the Summer of 1988, her teacher was Turkish dancer Rayah bint Youssef. She has performed and studied with many different bellydance and folkloric styles though the years, including but not limited to Tunisian, Egyptian, Turkish, Rom, Ghawazee, Kalbelia, Uzbek, Odissi, West African, Balkan, and various American belly dance styles.
She currently performs with her sisters Maria Hamer and Christine Andrews as part of the Hamer Sisters Belly Dance and since moving to upstate New York is part of the WANAH dance collective
Cyndi: The Snow Queen
Cyndi has been dancing since theatre and cheerleading in school. Since then she has embraced every challenge in learning new styles and techniques. She began belly dancing 20 years ago and also dances tap, jazz, and contemporary. You can see her performing with Bellymancer and EPAC Burlesque as well as competing with Dance Intentions as part of their first adult company! She will be performing the Snow Queen with a lyrical belly dance style choreography for us.
Bonita
Our goofy and brazen producer, Bonita has been belly dancing for 20 years and Latin Dancing for 10. She performs with her troupe Bellymancer. She will be dancing a solo in the dark fusion style which focuses on isolation and contrasting fluid and staccato movements.
Bellymancer
Bellymancer consists of Pixie Del Sole, Cyndi, and Bonita. They are based in Broome County, NY and have been performing together for 3 years. They will be performing a playful American Fusion style choreography.
Binghamton Bata Collective
The Binghamton Bata Collective performs songs, drumming, and dancing in honor of the Orishas, the divine spirit forces of the Afro-Cuban Lucumi religion rooted in the practices of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. They will perform a dance and drum sequence in praise of Yemaya, the Yoruba goddess of maternity and the ocean.
The soloist for this performance, Cuban dance artist and choreographer, Heidy Batista currently teaches ballet and modern dance techniques, as well as Latin dance styles at Binghamton University.
Lori Wahila
Lori Wahila is a Traditional Hawaiian dance Instructor who has been teaching dance since 1993. She teaches both Hawaiian Hula/Hot Hula and Mid-Eastern Belly Dance. Hula and Belly Dance share some hip movement styles though executed much differently. Hula is a language as much as a dance form and is used to tell a story. Lori will be performing a Hawaiian Hula for us!
Luana Andre
Luana Andre is a native of Brazil, now living in New York City. Luana enjoys performing Samba, Bachata and Bellydance, which she began studying in 2017. She now performs regularly throughout New York City.
The Serpenteenies
The Serpenteenies is a new troupe of girls between 7 and 9 learning the art of belly dance, taught by Bonita. The purpose of this troupe is to introduce children to the belly dance style and these 5 have learned quickly and had a lot of fun preparing a fan veil choreography to share with you!
Catrice Fairuza
Catrice Fairuza, is a multi-awarding winning dancer, choreographer and, teacher located in Upstate New York. Catrice Fairuza has been able to travel the world learning dance from dancers of origin. As well as being student of all different types of dance, Catrice Fairuza truly enjoys immersing herself in Egypt’s
many different diverse and beautiful cultures while being respectful of the country’s beliefs, and history.
Teaching since 2018, Catrice Fairuza specializes in the African Dance know as Egyptian Raqs Sharqi.
Classes are open to anyone regardless of color, size, sexual orientation, age, fitness ability, or dance experience. Raqs Sharqi is an amazing way to connect with your body while also learning about new
cultures and music. Classes are fun, upbeat, in a body positive environment where students are encouraged to learn this elegant cultural art form in a way that helps them express their best selves.
Binghamton Rueda
We are the Binghamton Rueda Group, a collective of dancers from the Greater Binghamton community. Our members come from all walks of life, representing diverse backgrounds and professions, but we are united by a shared love of Latin music, Latin dance, and—most especially—Rueda de Casino.
The Binghamton Rueda Group is organized and led by Merlin and Debbie Joseph, who are dedicated to preserving Rueda in this region and continuing to grow and strengthen the local Rueda community.
Rueda de Casino is a style of salsa that originated in Havana, Cuba in the late 1950s. It is a lively and social group dance, often compared to square dancing, in which couples form a circle and dance Cuban salsa to the spontaneous commands of a caller, known as the cantante. When a move is called, all couples execute it at the same time, creating an energetic and dynamic experience. Because Rueda is not choreographed, each dance is unique—and that unpredictability is part of what makes it so exciting and joyful. Today, we are also delighted to be joined by several of our friends from Ithaca’s Guapea Dance School, who share our passion for this vibrant dance form. Together, we are honored to perform for you and to share the rhythm, spirit, and sense of community that make Rueda de Casino so special.
Hayatidance
Hayatidance is a dance instructor, choreographer and event producer in Buffalo, NY. She is trained in both traditional and fusion style and is the founder and creative director of The Kind Killers. She is excited to join this event and contribute to its worthy cause!
You can find Hayatidance on Facebook, Instagram and at hayatidance.com
Hekmat Jay Jeehoun
Hekmat is an Afghan American who lives in Binghamton, NY. He plays a traditional Afghan national music instrument called a Robab. Robab is made of mulberry wood and goat skin and features 17-21 strings. Robab has an ancient root of several centuries, and it is played in most of the Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Robab is called the King of the musical instruments in Afghanistan. It is played in different styles such as solo, classical, folklore, and in combination with all other musical instruments. For the sake of respect and happiness of all cultures, Hekmat is very interested in playing Robab in different cultural and social events.