About Zorya

It's traditional in Middle Eastern Dance to have a "dance name," and mine is Zorya. I also answer to my wage slave name Meg Green.

My Story

I was initially drawn to Middle Eastern Dance through the music. I went to college on a flute scholarship, and used to procrastinate studying by sitting in the hallway of Ford Hall, the music building at Ithaca College, where I'd riff on Middle Eastern scales late into the night. It was an amazing part of my life. Learning these beautiful scales, which were so different to our Western ears...the "rules" I had learned about classical music no longer applied. It was a freeing experience for me.

Sometime around 1993-94, I had the opportunity to begin studying Middle Eastern dance with Tahya, a wonderful dancer, performer and teacher from Allentown, Pa. I joined her dance troupe for a few years, before moving on to study with the phenomenal Michelle Devine of Little York, N.J. She is the force behind Rakassah East, the largest belly dance convention on the East Coast (a great event, I highly recommend it!). I performed with her dance troupe, Mahalat, for a number of years.

In 2005, I was lucky enough to help launch an Easton-based dance troupe, Embers & Emeralds. We were an unusual troupe in that every member was also a choreographer and teacher. We were known for using unexpected, nontraditional music, and hosting an annual fundraising benefit show for the Third Street Alliance for Women & Children. We also hosted several workshops and other dance events. Sadly the troupe disbanded in the fall 2012, but I am carrying our mission by myself. With help from great friends and some fantastic dancers, the annual benefit show for the Third Street Alliance will continue!

I found you learn a lot of by teaching, and taught belly dance classes for two years at Lafayette College and did some substitute teaching at Easton Yoga, before settling in to a regular class at Third Street Alliance in Easton, Pa. After a brief hiatus, I'm excited to say I am returning to teach at the Third Street Alliance in Easton in the fall of 2013.

Above all, belly dancing is fun for me. It's a creative outlet, a way to express myself and show the joy I am feeling. I get a kick out of seeing that joy on the faces of my students and my audiences. I hope to see you in class or at a show soon! Save a smile for me!