As a lifelong performer, Zoë (she/they) has an eclectic creative background fueled by their insatiable appetite for the arts. Since 2017 she has focused on studying popular dances stemming from Southwest Asian/North African traditions (colloquially known as “belly dance”) as well as folkloric dances, beginning at Dance Life studio in Madison, Wisconsin, under Arielle Juliette. Upon migrating back to her native Southern California Zoë has studied with Kamala Almanzar, Helena Vlahos, Laura Leyl, Heather Shoopman, Darcy Rae, Sherri Wheatley, Jazmín de Luna, Sabah Saeed, Hannah Lily, Zahra Zuhair, Elizabeth Strong, Aubre Hill, and Jenna Rose.

Zoë has training in American Cabaret, Egyptian raqs sharqi, Turkish oryantal tansi, Turkish Roman folkloric dance, West Coast fusion styles, and Western styles of dance such as ballet and hip-hop. However, it is her decades of experience as a classically-trained musician that make her a dynamic performer. Musicality is paramount to Zoë’s art and informs all of their choices on stage, from their skilled zilling to their steamy floorwork. Zoë loves all music of the Middle Eastern/SWANA diaspora, though she has a particular fondness for Ahmed Fouad Hassan, Mustafa Kandıralı, and Burhan Öçal.

Zoë’s art is expressly political. A body that moves while existing in late-stage capitalism will always be political. Zoë is proudly queer and in recovery for an eating disorder and mental illness. Dance has brought them in closer touch with their body and their community and has expanded their view of the world. She is committed to the liberation of all marginalized people.

Zoë performs regularly throughout the Los Angeles area as a soloist and troupe member. They are proud to have performed with Alev Dansı, Disco Iskandar, Seraphim Arabesque Ensemble, and Troupe Al Manzar. Zoë is also a community organizer as the director of LA Raqs, an advocacy organization dedicated to promoting Middle Eastern dance in Southern California. Zoë considers herself a forever student and maintains a consistent schedule of class, workshop, and intensive attendance.