Suzanne Gerard Biography Suzanne has always been fascinated by the different styles of music and dance that each culture has to offer. She began her lifetime of movement expression as a gymnast and competitive diver and her core strengthening through Yoga and Pilates. She has additional training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Character, Hip-hop, Funk, Hustle, Swing, Egyptian Cabaret and Tribal Fusion Belly Dancing, Polynesian, African, Classical Indian, Salsa, Tango, Roma, International Folk dancing, and West African and Middle Eastern drumming and zilling. Suzanne has acquired years of teaching and performance experience in most of these dance styles.
Suzanne is one of the co-founders of Gaiananda Music and Dance Ensemble and the proprietor for World Rhythms & Movement, a cultural community Center, dance Studio and performance venue in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Suzanne is also a graduate of the Self Health School of Medical Massage with over 750 hours of education, holding her Massage Therapy license with the Ohio State Medical Board. She is also a Doula (birthing assistant) certified through Doulas of North America.
Gaiananda Ensemble Dancers 2008 photo by: Kevin Hartnell Teaching and Performance availability
Suzanne is available for cultural events, festivals, parties, performances, special events and classes and workshops. All classes, workshops and performances can be adapted to any genre or venue.
For information or booking call 513 312-9628
Instruction/Performance Repertoire
Tribal Belly Dance
This style is a fusion of Indian, Flamenco, Gypsy and North African tribal dances (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria) combined with Middle Eastern belly dance isolations, old and new. When executing this style in a group, the focus is more on the collective energy of the dancers rather than on the individual. The basic group formations may break off into smaller units, flow into a circle or provide a chorus line as background to support soloists, duets or triplets. Although there may be some choreographed dances, Tribal Dance is mostly based on improvisation with specific cues signaling different moves and formation changes. The group undulates and flows within its own intuition and dynamics and is a profound expression of rhythm transformed into movement and connectedness.
Tribal Classes and Workshops
I can provide a series of 1 hour classes or 2 to 3 hour workshops. Due to the improvisational nature of Tribal Bellydance, its group dynamics can be taught fairly quickly, allowing the students to dance together or share what they have learned in a performance after a short two hour workshop. I can then offer to create a performance opportunity for the workshop students if there is an interest.
Tribal fusion performances
Can be modified to incorporate different stylizations and finer distinctions for any party theme or venue, including costuming. I can perform a slow and sensual tantric trance dance…..a goddess in sheer, white lace, or the darker side of Goth, wearing black leather and fishnet, an earthy tribal mix in colorful fabrics and textures with facial tattoos, and Kuchi Jewelry, Fluid and powerful West African dancing in animal prints, Indian Fusion in a brilliant silk sari or more traditional belly dance cabaret style with chiffon and sequins.
Sword Dance
Sword Dances are impressively choreographed or danced interpretively including balancing and floor work. They are trance-inducing arrangements that will mesmerize any audience.
Roma (Gypsy) Dance
The style of Roma dance that I teach or perform is a combination of Dunyavi Gypsy Dance, inspired by Dalia Carella www.daliacarella.com and movements from the Rajasthan and Banjar Gypsies of India. I execute beautiful skirt and footwork to celebrate the “fire” and “freedom” of the Gypsy Dance and the Roma people.
East Indian Fusion
I honor the beautiful East Indian culture with my own creative fusion of Odissi, Bollywood and Bhangra dancing that I call OballyBhangra. I also perform a breathtaking Temple Dance which includes postures that represent various Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu religion and grace their land’s many sacred temples and a flowing, hypnotic veil dance.
Polynesian
Grass skirt, coconut bra and leys! From the sensuous sway and story telling of the Hula to the intense hip shaking of the Tahitian dances, this is a fun style to have performed at any Polynesian themed party. Can include audience participation.
Klezmer
These traditional Yiddish dances and the music that inspired them were all but lost in the Holocaust. Because the Roma people (Gypsies) who often traveled and performed with the Klezmer performers remembered their unique music and dances, they gave them back to their people. These are great dances to teach at wedding rehearsals to surprise the elders at Jewish weddings, and fun for all ages.
African Dance
Soli, CouCou, Yankadi, Lamban these are the dances of Guinea West Africa. With a rich heritage these movements incorporate storytelling, prayers for a good harvest and rites of passage for its tribe members.
Poi and Fire Spinning
The art of Poi is traditionally done by the Maori of New Zealand and is achieved by swinging Poi (two balls on ropes) in different configurations around the body. The fire spinners are traditionally from the Fiji Islands. Whether the Poi is on fire or not, this is an impressive display of talent to the beat of powerful drums.
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