Halfway through college I experienced an identity crisis and joined the army. Through a series of fortunate mishaps, I ended up stationed in Frankfurt at the 97th General Hospital. There was a small club on a nearby Air Force base called the Jaegerstube.
One Wednesday night in early 1979, there suddenly was a beautiful girl in a silver costume who belly danced through the room. I approached her in the dressing room and begged to take classes with her. Over the next ten years, I went to New York and studied from a great teacher, Serena. I had the opportunity to perform at Lincoln Center, the Hyatt in Cairo, Egypt , Club Ibis and Club Darvish in New York.
I moved to Monmouth County, New Jersey and I started start my own bellygram business. By the time I graduated, I had a full time business going that I loved. Most of my work was local at first: fiftieth birthday parties, retirements, and nursing homes.
My performing life grew to include cruise ships, Greek night clubs, resorts in the Poconos and Catskills, and TV appearances. I produced an audio tape and book series with Parade Records called "Let's Belly Dance!." I also produced my own instructional cable TV show.
In 1990, I auditioned at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, and spent two years performing with the Taj Players, entertaining casino guests and headlining at special events. The Taj Mahal provided something even more profound. I met my husband, Arjay Lewis, who was a magician there.
As our lives grew together, I began transitioning into teaching the dance, and found a fulfillment I never expected.
Arjay has began writing for over 25 year, and I have helped him edit and exchange ideas to improve his books. When he began to publish, I became inspired to try my hand at the romantic mystery genre, which was a perfect complement to Arjay’s paranormal mysteries.
Today we truly are partners in crime...fiction.
