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Donna is adjunct professor of Middle Eastern Dance and Hatha Yoga at Indiana University's main campus in Bloomington. Her studies began in the 1980's with Roxanna Lingenfelter and Karen Custer Thurston. A lifelong student, she has taken many seminars including the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp at Mendocino Woodlands, California, among others.
Donna is the author of Looking For Little Egypt (ISBN:0962399817), chronicling the history and perceptions of Middle Eastern Dance in America since the 1893 Chicago World's Fair phenomenon. After publication, she has been a guest lecturer at universities, workshops, bookstores and retreats. She also sponsors workshops and is a representative for Audrena's International. Donna's involvement with Middle Eastern Dance has led her to a deep appreciation for Arabic classical music, and she plays percussion with the Moroccan-Andalusian Classical Ensemble of Bloomington, Indiana, as well as other performing groups.
Donna has published two resource guides for dancers, The Middle Eastern Dance Video Sourcebook and Folk/Ethnic Dance Videos. Her community involvement includes the Lotus Music & Arts Festival, Lotus Blossoms Children's Bazaar, International Education Week, Hatje's Hafla Benefit for Middle Way House Domestic Violence Shelter/Rape Crisis Center, The Indiana State Association of Middle Eastern Teachers & Dancers, Volunteers in Teaching Adult Literacy, and the Worldwide Friendship.
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