Board Members

 

President: Kimberly Paredes (Nasreena)
email: President@HABDA.org

Nasreena began belly dancing in 2001 under the tutelage of Thalia and several other wonderfully talented dancers/instructors at the Sirrom School of Dance. She has taken workshops from extraordinary dancers such as Vashti, Momo Kadous, Cassandra and others and continues to be a student of the dance. She is currently a soloist and a member of Sirrom Caravan.


Vice President: Milicent Banks (Sarea)
email: VicePresident@HABDA.org

Sarea has been a Student at Sirrom School of Dance for nearly 2 years. Known as one of the Daughters of Thalia and  Sister of Sarin, she has had the privilege of studying under these awesome Instructors since the beginning of her affiliation with Sirrom as well as many other Instructors.  She has been entertaining since age 4  and started dancing at age 5. She danced as a teen at HSPVA and eventually completed her studies at CLC where she was allowed to create and choreograph her own modern dance productions for various performances , and help implement the Schools 1st  formal Dance Company called Potpourri. She also acted, sang and danced with TUTS as well as other small groups throughout the Houston area. Sarea looks forward to learning and growing with Sirrom as well as various other Artists throughout Houston and surrounding areas.


Treasurer & Avertising Coordinator: Shelley Farenthold (Silke)
email: Treasurer@HABDA.org

Secretary: Melany Shannon (Nari)
email: Secretary@HABDA.org

Nari is a professional belly dancer in Houston, Texas who has studied bellydance since 2003 and danced professionally since 2004. Originally trained in American cabaret, Nari shifted her focus to Tribal Fusion after taking classes with Cynthia Todd of Tribal Feat.  She is a founding member of the new Houston-based belly dance troupe Nah'na ("We are" in Arabic). She  sits on the national board of Dance From the Heart, and has published articles in Zaghareet Magazine and Papyrus, the official newsletter of NTMEDA. Nari is excited to be part of HABDA during this exciting time!


Parliamentarian: Gabriela
email: Parliamentarian@HABDA.org

Gabriela was born and raised in Mexico City. She began her dance training as a child studying Folklorico and later, as a teenager she studied Hula and Tahitian dance. Her training in Middle-Eastern dance (belly dance) did not begin until the Summer of 2002 in Houston, TX.  She took her first lesson at Sirrom School of Dance where she had the opportunity to learn from different talented instructors. Gabriela has been dancing professionally since 2005 and she is currently the featured belly dancer at Yanni's Greek Restaurant on Friday nights.


Advertising Coordinator: Zymirrah
email:

Historian: Alma Novotny (Al Mamun)
email: Historian@HABDA.org

 


Historian: Lexi Senazaiz
email: Historian@HABDA.org

Started dancing at Sirroms School of Dance in 2003. Under instruction from Halimah and Linda in Oriental and American cabaret I have done several performances for the International Festival and other local events. I am currently a member of Solange Dance Company and a dedicated student in the arts. 
 

Newsletter Editor: Marijane Kelly (
Aiyanna bint Thalia)
email: Newsletter@HABDA.org

 


Membership Director: Darla White (Neima)
(Send email, phone, or address updates here)
email: Membership@HABDA.org

 


Webmaster: Kim Liew (Lello)
email: Webmaster@HABDA.org

Kim is a seasoned IT professional and specializes in creating pleasant user experience - and that is why she volunteered to be webmaster for HABDA. Kim was born in Malaysia, and taught aerobics and fitness in Kuala Lumpur for several years. The year before Kim left home to come settle down in the US, her individual routine as well as group routine won the Malaysian National Aerobics Championship based on her own original choreography. Kim has always had a passion for fitness, music and dance, and came to belly dance as an enjoyable way to stay fit - and have fun! Her teachers include Cynthia, and Tamara of Belladonna, and she herself enjoys teaching and spreading her passion for belly dance. She hopes to someday instruct young enthusiasts in this art form.