CHARISE HOGE
Soloist
Charise Hoge is an accomplished dancer and teacher with a background in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and yoga.  She earned a Master's Degree in Dance Movement Therapy from New York University, and previously performed with two professional modern dance companies: PATH, based in Baltimore, Maryland, and Room to Move, based in Atlanta, Georgia.  Charise teaches SynergyYoga in the DC area and Middle Eastern bellydance at the World Bank.  Her website describes her work with expatriate women as a consultant, coach, and author of “A Portable Identity: A Woman’s Guide to Maintaining a Sense of Self While Moving Overseas.”

JOANIE ATKINSON
Soloist
Joanie Atkinson first began Middle Eastern dance with Karen McLane in 2004, after years of studying traditional Irish step dance.  Since then she has studied with respected Middle Eastern dance artists such as Ranya Renee, Kaeshi Chai, Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Bozenka, and Karim Nagi, and in 2010 she was selected to participate in the NYC edition of Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution.  She has also studied and performed in Indian raas/garba dance, modern, flamenco, and ballet.  She is currently attending Barnard College in Manhattan, where she studies Dance as well as Middle Eastern Language & Culture, and is president of the Barnard/Columbia University Bellydance Troupe.  

NINA

GILKENSON

CARLYN

ROSENBLUM

CAROLINE

NUCKOLLS

SUZY

SEIBERT

LEAH

POTKIN

KAREN MCLANE (NAJWAH)
Artistic Director
Karen McLane is Ancient Rhythm's artistic director and choreographer.  She developed her career in Middle Eastern Dance over 20 years ago, through hundreds of performances at major venues with world-class musicians from Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon.  Drawing from her background in ballet, modern, and flamenco, she has created an eclectic style and talent for theatricality, showcased in her critically acclaimed production of “The Oasis...An Arabian Fairytale.”  An inveterate world traveler, Karen collects music, costuming, and inspiration from a multitude of cultures, which she uses to enhance the originality and authenticity of her dancing.  She teaches and performs in the Washington DC area, where she also works as an interior designer, and in Europe.

COMPANY DANCERS

DARYL

OH

ABBE

COHEN

NAHOKO

MARUYAMA