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- History - Awards - School & Boutique - Dance Troupe
In 1972, Adriana opened her fully accredited school, Adriana’s Mecca of Middle Eastern Dance, which for 10 years provided Washington DC with the best instruction in the dance. It was the largest school of its kind in the country and launched the careers of more than 200 professional dancers. At its peak, the school trained more than 400 students a week. In addition to Middle Eastern dance instruction, classes were offered in percussion, jazz, classical ballet, aerobics, yoga, and Spanish dancing. Adriana not only taught the classes, but also accompanied them on drums. The school was a Washington landmark, attracting visitors from throughout the area and the country. Broadway dancers sought out the school for private coaching to improve their stage presence, having heard of Adriana’s exquisite arm and hand work and her skill at devising “show-stoppers.” The dancers would invite her to the shows to critique their performances. The school was unique not only in terms of the scope of its class offerings, but also in its family-type atmosphere. The dressing room was filled with animated conversations, and the dance studio was transformed into a party room over the holidays—complete with contests and prizes. Adriana’s husband routinely sent over candy and other food, which were a welcome addition to the sodas available in the Coke machine. The school was the only one of its kind to have an organized student body. The school also featured an extensive boutique and a dance troupe composed of students of the school. Through her school, Adriana was also the first Middle Eastern dance instructor in the country to introduce specialized workshops as a means of educating students about dance and all aspects of its presentation. THE BOUTIQUE As part of its one-stop shop atmosphere, adriana’s Mecca of Middle Eastern Dance featured an extensive boutique of dance clothing, ethnic dance supplies, Middle Eastern music, decorative items, and costume jewelry with a Middle Eastern flair. Another aspect of the Mecca’s Boutique, making it truly unique, was its dressmaker and professional designer who specialized in Middle Eastern, ethnic, and belly dance costuming custom made in order for proper fit, design, and individual taste. Those dancers who created their own costumes were able to select from the wide variety of fabric, trims, beads, and coins offered at the boutique. awards | back to top | dance troupe |
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