Middle Eastern Dance Instructor
Teaching Experience
Spring 2005 ongoing:
Faculty of Loyola Marymount University Extension, Basic Bellydance Technique/Mixed Levels
2000 ongoing:
Group classes, substitute teaching, private lessons and specialty workshops throughout Los Angeles
Teaching Locations:
LMU, Your Neighborhood Studio Culver City, Synthesis Dance Center Studio City, Hot Yoga Valencia, Millenium Studios N. Hollywood, Hollywood Dance Center, Spirit Dance Studio City, Madilyn Clark Studios North Hollywood, Brand Park Teahouse Glendale, Vibe Montrose, Gypsy Camp Los Angeles, Goddesses Unplugged Retreat at the Integratron near Joshua Tree in Landers, CA
Certification
Journey Through Egypt intensive seminar with Sahra Sa’eeda
Teaching Philosophy/Class Publicity
Melissa Crandall has studied and performed various styles of Middle Eastern dance since 1994, and has been teaching since 2000. She is adept at many different styles of dance, including props such as veil, double veil, scimitar, candelabra, cane, and finger cymbals. Melissa is also a Reiki energy healing teacher. She encourages her students to combine the proper dance technique with self-expression. A sample class advertisement follows: Learn the exotic art of bellydance! Embrace your sensual self through this ancient art of creative movement in a supportive atmosphere. Learn basic bellydance techniques, including head, shoulder, torso and hip isolations, beautiful arm movements, “shimmies,” attitude, stylizations and combinations inspired by Middle Eastern dance. Learn about cultural traditions of the Middle East, Near East and North Africa as they relate to the Arts and the sexes. Have fun letting your creativity flow, your muscles tone, and your exotic heart to unleash! Wear comfortable clothes, dancewear or skirt & bring a shawl or large scarf to wear on your hips.
Dance Performance Experience
Dance Troupes:
Gypsy Folk Ensemble (dir. Julie Nelson); co-Director of Balance and Full Moonlight Dancers alternative bellydance troupes;
Former troupes:
Mighty Isis Dance Co. 2004; Pars National Ballet (dir. A. Nazemi) 2000-2003; Adam Basma Middle Eastern Dance Co. 2000-2001; Ya Helewa! (dir. Amara) 1999-2000; Jewels of the Dance (dir. Bonnie Kunkel) 1997-1999; Anisa’s Orientale/Beledy troupe (dir. Anisa) 1994-1995; Guest performer with Leela with Salome’Jihad, Prince Andrew, and others 1994-ongoing
Group and Solo performances include:
Stage Productions:
- “An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance” 2000, 2002, Amara Presents, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica and Two Roads Theater, North Hollywood
- “Arabia Exotica” 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, Leela’s Bellydance Fantasy Productions, various venues including Henry Fonda Music Box Theater, Hollywood
- “Bellydance Superstars competition” 2003, prod. Miles Copeland, Studio City
- “Café Beledy” 2003 Pars Art Center, Los Angeles
- “Circus Maximus: As Rome Burns” 2004, Leela’s Bellydance Fantasy Productions, Los Angeles
- “Club 1001 Nights” 2003 Los Angeles
- “Club Café Con Leche” 2004, Los Angeles
- “Democratic National Convention” 2000, Figueroa Hotel, Los Angeles
- “Desert Passage Floor Show” 2002, Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas
- “Egyptian Dance Presentation” 2004, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles
- “Middle Eastern Dance Speakeasy,” (Co-producer) 2004, Smartgals Productions, Los Angeles
- “Persian Longest Night (Winter Solstice)” various performances including Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas
- “Persian New Year (Norooz)” various performance dates and locations
- “Ra: Eclipse of the Sun” 2007, Dir. Sahra Sa’eeda, Los Angeles
- “Tit for Tat” Persian musical, portraying ‘The Matchmaker,’ 2001, St. Louis, MO and Los Angeles Various others
Festivals:
- “Cairo Carnivale” annually beginning in 1994, Middle Eastern Dance and Culture Association
- “Bellydance Swap Meet” various performance dates, Perfume of Araby, Los Angeles
- “Bedouin Bazaar” 2001, San Diego
- “Laguna Sawdust Arts Festival” various performance dates, Laguna Beach
- “NoHo Arts Festival” 2003, North Hollywood
- “Redlands Middle East SCA Festival” 1997 Various others
Showcases and Restaurants:
- Club Cleopatra
- Dar Maghreb
- Darvish
- “Hypzotica” at Zabumba
- Marrakesh
- Middle East Connection
- Moun of Tunis
- Pars
- TaXim at Studio Iqaat
- Various others
Private Parties and Weddings:
- Clos Pegase Winery, Calistoga, CA
- Beverly Hilton
- Beverly Hills Hotel
- Beverly Hills Hyatt
- Bonaventure Hotel
- Sheraton Hotel, Phoenix, AZ
- Various other hotels, private homes, corporate events, schools, retirement homes, libraries, churches and party facilities
Instructors and Schools
University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara, California: Bachelor of Arts Dramatic Art 1993; Dean’s Honors Middle Eastern Dance Instruction: Anisa’s School of Eastern Dance, Bonnie, Mesmera, Jillina, Sahra Sa’eeda, A. Nazemi (Persian), Adam Basma (Arabic Folkloric), Amara, Anaheed, Zahra Zuhair, Sahra, Princess Farhana, Sarala (East Indian)
Published Reviews
“Cairo Carnivale Performance Review of Leela with Salome’Jihad” MECDA Cymbal magazine, 2003
“The Soul of a Dancer Lives Through Experimentation” MECDA Cymbal magazine and Jareeda magazine, 2001
“A Dancer’s Feast: Belly Dance Buffet” MECDA Cymbal magazine, 2000
Performance reviews and student evaluation feedback available upon request
