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I Never Thought It Would Be My Career
Belly dancing is about wisdom,
power, beauty, grace,
strength, and feminine mystique.
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I
Never Thought It Would Be My Career
"I never, ever thought it would be my
career," Dondi said.
Dondi started dancing at age 5 with
her older sister, Titanya (Boulder, Colorado). They did Polynesian style for several
years, then discovered Middle Eastern dance, a.k.a. belly dancing, when Dondi was 12.
"The movements seemed to fit my body. They fit better than ballet, for example, which
was stiff to me. This one, you moved your hips and your waist. It seemed more
natural." |
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As Dondi grew up, she studied acting, and has appeared in theatre, films, music video and
television commercials. She still acts and also works as a tour guide for corporate
groups. Her hobbies include SCUBA diving and karate. And, of course, she still dances.
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In a way, she was
born into it. Belly dancers often go by just one name, the more exotic sounding, the
better. Women with names like Nancy or Susan change them to Amaya, Mesmera or Hateji. In
Dondi’s case, the name is her own. It is a mixture of her father’s name (Don)
and her mother’s name (Donna) and the first initial of their last name. "I never
felt like I had to take on a dance name", Dondi said. |
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Dondi
~ Middle
Eastern Dancer ~ International Belly Dancer ~ San Diego Belly Dance |
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She has, though,
taken on a cause; to educate people about the meaning of the dance and its origins.
"When I tell people what I do, they make assumptions about me without ever seeing me
dance. Immediately a judgment is made. Not a nice judgment. Belly dance is about wisdom,
power, beauty, grace, strength, and feminine mystique. |
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That scares a lot
of people, especially Americans, who are taught that feminine power lies in a woman’s
sexuality. But if they can get beyond that misinterpretation and unfortunate Hollywood
stereotype, then they will greatly expand their minds." |
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Dondi concludes,
"The difference between a well-trained dancer and a girl who calls herself a belly
dancer because she can shake a little is like the difference between a McDonalds hamburger
and a steak. Middle Eastern people demand steak. Americans are less knowledgeable so they
settle for the McDonalds hamburger. But, once they’ve had steak, they never go
back." |
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Dondi
~
International Belly Dancer ~ San Diego Belly Dancer ~ Bellydancer |
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«
Dondi's Story Continues...  » |
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