Willow is an ecclectic bellydancer who's style ranges from American Cabaret to Turkish, Tribal Fusion and Gothic inspired Bellydance. She is currently Level 1 Certified in the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance and is studying to become a certified Personal Fitness Trainer.

After seeing her first bellydancers in 1992 at a Renaissance Festival, Willow fell in love with this dance and had to learn what they were doing. She plunged herself into classes and workshops with an almost obsessive passion and has studied with notable, top level teachers and dancers from around the country. Willow's early teachers include Keke Aziz, Deborah Maltese, Morocco, and Aviva.

Willow began performing in 1994 at the Taste of Greece restaurant in Long Beach, NY - under the direction of Deborah Maltese - where she danced monthly for about 2 years. In that time, Willow also performed frequently at haflas, nursing homes, senior residences, and renaissance festivals, which gave her a very strong foundation in performing in many different types of venues.

Willow has studied with and been influenced by dancers and teacher of many different styles and disciplines of bellydance, including her current teacher Angelique of New Paltz, NY, Ansuya, Anahid Sofian, Altagracia, Aszmara, Zaleh Fereshta, Rachel Brice, Tamalyn Dalal, Zafira Dance Company and Suhaila Salimpour, to name only a few.

Willow began teaching bellydance in 2002 after moving to the Hudson Valley and discovering how few bellydance classes were available at the time. Since then, the Hudson Valley has become a Mecca of bellydance, drawing dancers and teachers from many styles of bellydance including Egyptian/American, American Tribal, Tribal Fusion and Temple Bellydance, and supporting several annual bellydance-themed events.

In addition to the body movement itself, Willow's love of this dance has lead her to study the history and cultural aspects that have defined the many faces of the dance as we know it today. Her research of Arabic culture gives her a unique sensitivity and understanding of the roots of Middle Eastern Dance as it is performed in this country as well as where it originated.

Willow has continued her study into movement to include such disciplines as hatha yoga, strength conditioning and fitness training. She studies regularly with master-level teachers at every opportunity, striving to refine her technique while always maintaining strong roots into the foundation of Middle Eastern Dance, as well we expanding her own personal style by drawing from many varied influences and styles of dance and movement.

Willow combines her love of bellydance with her love of costuming by making many of her own bellydance costumes. She owns and operates Crimson Gypsy Designs - a costuming business that focuses on corsetry and renaissance inspired fashions. She is currently developing a line of dance wear - blouses, pants, skirts and dresses - to be introduced in the Spring of 2007. This line of clothing will be geared towards dancers, as well as others who desire a refined fit and freedom of movement for an active daily lifestyle. Her clothing website can be found at Crimson Gypsy Designs and Middle Eastern and Bellydance Wear .

If you are interested in booking Willow for a performance at a party or special event, please contact her at (845) 246-8823, or
bellydancewillow (at) gmail.com.