Professional Statement: Annwyn Avalon is an award winning, internationally known dancer. She has been intensely studying Belly Dance in a variety of forms for over a decade. A highly trained Oriental Dancer, Annwyn has been featured in magazines, participated in and taught numerous classes, workshops, and shows in the United States and abroad. She has also studied a variety of cultural and sacred dances that connect us with our divine and sacred nature. After spending many years living in places like Japan, North Carolina, and Arizona teaching and performing, she is now located in the greater Portland area where she performs Sacred Dance, Oriental Dance, as well as Water and Mermaid Themed Belly Dance performances. Annwyn has a long standing history in the Dance and Esoteric communities, having the privilege of dancing with some of the great dancers of our time and helping to train new students, giving them a solid foundation in which to build their own dance. Her focus now is Oriental, Fusion and Sacred Dances, bringing deep meaning and magic to each performance. Annwyn has always been fascinated with and inspired by many forms of Fine art, Performing-art and the Esoteric Arts. She is also a trained Yoga Instructor receiving her Yoga Teacher Training 200 hours in January 2020.
In the Beginning…
My dance journey began when I was 18. I had just left home and was studying fine arts at the University. I had always put an emphasis on sports and physical activity but playing sports such as soccer left me empty and not feeling like my life had flow or purpose. I was introduced to Belly Dance by a friend and became obsessed! I took as many classes as I could attend and learned the basic movements. I soon found myself taking classes at the university and starting to perform in local hooka cafe's and Turkish restaurants in North Carolina. Not too long after that I relocated to Japan.
the Early Days
Belly Dance had just hit the scene in Japan and I found myself in a unique place to offer classes to the local ladies on our small southern island. I started out small, but by the end I was dancing regular gigs at the Istanbul Kebab House in Okinawa Japan as well as other nightclubs and restaurants in town. I was teaching classes 3-4 times a week and holding regular recitals and providing performance opportunities to my students! I wrote my first article for a local English magazine and was featured in different English magazine as part of the Istanbul Kebab House’s interview.
The Middle Years
North Carolina to Arizona
After a while I ended up moving back to North Carolina where I started competing and even placed 3rd in props at the Belly Dance Nationals Competition in 2009. I attended classes in DC as much as possible, taught small classes at the local Metaphysical shop, and performed at local festivals and a few hooka cafes.
The clock ticked again and I relocated to Arizona. I jumped into classes right away at Plaza de Anaya (FKA- Mystic Jewel and Domba). I was so happy to be in a large community of dancers! It wasn't long till I started teaching classes at the beloved studio, first just one then up to 4 a week and even had a small student troupe again! After several successful years I relocated yet again to Oregon! After years of studying many forms of Belly dance including Turkish and Egyptian Oriental, Fusion, Turkish Romani folk dances and Sacred Dance and after years of building a strong dance foundation and reputation in the Dance community, I now focused my dance style almost exclusively on the esoteric side of dance; performing dances that are full of my own spirituality and all things sacred. My performances focus on the element of water, magic and finding the sacred and divine within myself and those I work with in dance. Many of my current and future performances revolve around Mermaid and Water Spirit themed performances. I find deep healing and satisfaction in leading others through classes on sacred dance and conscious movements.
I am currently gearing up to begin teaching Bellydance and Sacred dance classes again. I continue to focus on my performance and sacred dance in conjunction with my work as a Water Priestess, be on the lookout for classes in 2020. For years I had the pleasure of dancing as a professional dancer, teaching classes, performing on many stages and restaurants. Today dance is more of an expression of my heart and so I am bringing it in closer and more personal and bring it back to my center where it can develop and nurture my soul.
