Hawaii’s Renaissance Woman

is committed to the creative process, learning experience and sacred practice. A life-long dancer, she started dance early, studying hula for 10 years with Kumu Alicia Smith.  

For the past 20 years, she's focused on Oriental dance, annually traveling to study and perform with master teachers and sponsor their events in Hawai’i.  Since 2006, Willow’s been teaching workshops abroad, both nationally and internationally. She's always honored to share the beauty of this ever evolving art.

Willow’s affinity for dances of the Middle East began while living abroad while performing in Egypt in a Hawaiian Show (1994). This organic and daily access to the culture was an invaluable experience for her and upon her return to Hawai’i, Willow began to studying bellydance with her first teacher, Glo Ayson. In 2002, she completed a BA in Dance/music minor, and has studied Classical Indian (Kuchipudi , Odissi and Bharatanatyam), Argentine Tango, Tahitian, Bollywood, Balinese, Flamenco, Contact Improv, Tap, Ballet & Modern dance.

Willow is completely devoted to this art. She is recognized as Hawai‘i’s premier Middle Eastern Dance artist, with her emotive and elegant dance, on- spot musicality, exceptional costumes of her own design and her artistic and cultural integrity. She’s respected for her commitment to the innovation of the art of dance, as well as it's traditions.

To deepen her understanding of the art, she's studied various forms of dance classified as ‘bellydance’ and Raks Sharki, including Folkloric , Classical and Modern Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, Rom/Roma Gypsy, ATS (American Tribal Style), Tribal Fusion, American Cabaret Styles, as well as Persian and Central Asian dance,  Saudi Arabian/Gulf Khaleegy, North African Moroccan Shikhat and dances from Algeria and Tunisia. She's taken time to master fluency in finger cymbals (sagat/zills) as an instrument, and as an accompaniment in both dance and music, has taken drumming and rhythm classes and continually walks this humble journey of learning all in this endless art.

As an instructor and a continual student, she strives to create a learning environment that is positive, safe and challenging for every student, regardless of experience. Given the vast array of topics relevant to the study and discipline of Middle Eastern and related  dances, Willow utilizes a holistic approach to creating a deep and diversified appreciation of the art.

As an instructor of various styles, she’s committed to the musical & cultural context of the art. You’ll find the same sensitivities to her contemporary dances & singing career. As Jasmine Revolution Dance and SANGHA Dance Theater’s founder/artistic director, she choreographs Oriental & modern dance. As director of the newly formed BOLLYWOOD HAWAII, she

creates dances that are both upbeat and lyrical, caputuring the beauty and energy of Indian Bollywood dance. Since 1999, her Passport Productions has produced events, performances & workshops with visiting artists. The annual PUJA Dance Concert & Workshops, founded in 2008, has top performers in every genre of dance, with artists from around the world.

Her highlights include teaching & performing in Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland, Greece and Austria) Egypt, Japan, Canada & the US, including at UNESCO’s Dance Congress in Athens, Cairo’s Music Medicine Concert, featured on DVDS: Belly Dance Reloaded, Exotic Art of Bellydance, The Soul of Bellydance, The Spirit of Bellydance  and The Sensual Art of Bellydance, Margaret Cho’s Sensuous Woman Show & teaching at Rakkasah West & East.

In 2010 she returned to teach in Zurich & Paris, &  presented & assisted the director of the IUGTE International University of Global Theater & Dance Conference in Austria. In 2011, Willow was  on teaching staff at Black Orchid Dances’ Najm al Danse Orientale Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, spent 3 weeks performing and teaching in Tokyo, Japan, and returned to Austria to present, perform and teach at the IUGTE, and taught in Switzerland for her 7th time.

In 2012, Willow was invited to present, teach and perform at the prestigious International Bellydance Conference of Canada, sponsored by Yasmina Ramzy. She presented her theatrical dance Fire, Earth, Air, at the Voyage of Aloha 20th Anniversary of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, with legendary dancer Jean Erdman Campbell (Martha Graham Company) in attendance. In the Fall of 2012, she returned to Atlanta for Black Orchid Danses’ Soul of Fusion Festival Switzerland.  In 2013, she was invited to teach and perform at Athens 1st Bollywood Dance Festival, and was part of the performance and teaching staff at Leyla Jouvana’s prestigious Orientalisches Festival Europas, followed by her annual teaching in Switzerland.

Willow looks forward to meeting and connecting with students and dancers alike of this beautiful art!