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Tuesday
7:30pm
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Sandra Catena
201 St. Paul’s Avenue, 17P
Jersey City, NJ 07306
H: 201-659-2673 / C: 917-257-8917
Email: bigapplebellydance@hotmail.com
Web site: bigapplebellydance.org
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Sandra Catena is a Middle Eastern dance master. Sandra began training in Middle Eastern dance in 1975. In 1980
Sandra became a professional dancer performing at universities, theaters and nightclubs. Sandra has been teaching
Middle Eastern dance since 1984.
Sandra Catena is also the author of The African Belly Dance, a belly dance murder mystery. The African Belly
Dance was published on March 26, 2008 and is the only book of its genre anywhere in the world.
Presently Teaching Middle Eastern Dance in New York at:
Dance Theater Workshop 440 Studios
Shakti Yoga The 14th Street Y
Taught Middle Eastern Dance at following venues in New York since 1984:
City University of New York (CUNY) Djoniba’s Drum and Dance Center
Fordham University Fazil’s Dance Studio
New York University (NYU) Five Points Fitness
Sarah Lawrence College Joyous Life Energy Center
The Hospital for Joint Diseases New Age Health Spa
Asphalt Green Plus One Fitness
Brooklyn Arts Exchange Revolution Studios
Broome Corner Studio Rod Rodgers Dance Studios
Carmine Street Recreation Bureau Sal Anthony’s Movement Salon
Discovery Center Seminar Center
Taught Middle Eastern Dance at following venues in New Jersey from 1984-1986:
West Caldwell High School and Belleville High School
Sandra produced, choreographed and performed in the following productions in New York City:
• Sandra starred in A Belly Dancer’s Story at The Red Room Theater (off Broadway) from October 1996
through February 1997. Sandra wrote A Belly Dancer’s Story.
• A Night of Middle Eastern Dance on June 2 and 3, 2000
• A Belly Dance Extravaganza on November 18, 2000
• Belly Dance Nights on January 14, 21, 28, 2001
• Arabian Nights on June 2 and 3, 2001
• Holiday Exotica on December 15, 2001
• Belly Dance Fever on May 5, 2002
• A Holiday Hafla on December 15, 2002
• Oriental Dreams on July 11, 2003
• A Belly Dancer’s Story on March 13 and June 19, 2004
• Modern Egyptian Rhythms on December 3, 2006
• Classical Egyptian Raqs Sharki on June 3, 2007
• Stories and Belly Dance on December 2, 2007
• Spring Belly Dance on May 17, 2008
In addition, Sandra produced ‘haflas’ (Middle Eastern dance parties) at the following New York City venues:
• Cedars of Lebanon Restaurant (April and June 2000)
• Cleopatra’s Supper Club (October 2003 and January 2004)
• Lafayette Grill (June and October, 2005 and March 2006)
• First Oasis Restaurant (March 2007)
Since 1980, Sandra has performed in the following venues:
Nightclubs in New York: Club Ibis, Darwish, Cedars of Lebanon, Noga, Feiruz, Beirut Restaurant, Vienna
Gardens, Magic Carpet Restaurant, First Oasis Restaurant, Lafayette Grill Nightclub
Nightclub in Spain: Tonga, Marbella, Spain
Nightclub in Africa: Le Sultan, Abidjan, West Africa
Nightclub in Canada: Aladdin’s, Montreal, Canada
Theaters: The Red Room Theater, Musical Theater Works, Holy Trinity Church, United Methodist Church, Roy
Arias Theaters and Dance Theater Workshop
National Television: The Joy Brown Show, MTV, The Tom Green Show and Channel 11 News
SANDRA CATENA
MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE MASTER
917-257-8917 / www.bigapplebellydance.org
Sandra Catena is a Middle Eastern dance master who has performed in the United States, Europe, Canada and
West Africa. Since 1980 Sandra has performed in New York’s Middle Eastern nightclubs, theaters, colleges and on
national television shows such as MTV, The Joy Brown Show, The Tom Green Show and WB11 News. From
October 1996 through February 1997, Sandra starred in a 14-week run of A Belly Dancer’s Story at The Red Room
Theater in Manhattan. A Belly Dancer’s Story was written, choreographed and performed by Sandra Catena.
Sandra produced, choreographed and performed in the following Middle Eastern dance concerts in New York City:
A Night of Middle Eastern Dance on June 2 and 3, 2000, A Belly Dance Extravaganza on November 18, 2000,
Belly Dance Nights on January 14, 21, 28, 2001, Arabian Nights on June 2 and 3, 2001, Holiday Exotica on
December 15, 2001, Belly Dance Fever on May 5, 2002, A Holiday Hafla on December 15, 2002, Oriental Dreams
on July 11, 2003, A Belly Dancer’s Story on March 13 and June 19, 2004, Modern Egyptian Rhythms on December
3, 2006, Classical Egyptian Raqs Sharki on June 3, 2007 and Stories and Belly Dance on December 2, 2007.
Sandra produced ‘haflas’ at the following New York venues: Cedars of Lebanon Restaurant (April and June 2000),
Cleopatra’s Supper Club (October 2003 and January 2004), Lafayette Grill (June and October, 2005 and March
2006) and First Oasis Restaurant (March 2007).
In addition to Middle Eastern dance, Sandra has studied ballet, tap and jazz. Sandra is a master teacher of Middle
Eastern dance and teaches private and group classes in New York City at Dance Theater Workshop, 440 Studios,
Shakti Yoga and The 14th Street Y. Since 1995, Sandra has taught at City University of New York (CUNY),
Fordham University, New York University (NYU), Sarah Lawrence College, The Hospital for Joint Diseases, The
New Age Health Spa, Fazil’s Dance Studio, The Seminar Center, Discovery Center, Carmine Street Recreation
Bureau, Djoniba’s Drum and Dance Center, Revolution Studios, Broome Corner Studio, Five Points Fitness, Rod
Rodgers Dance Studio, Joyous Life Energy Center, Goldman Sachs, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Asphalt Green and
Sal Anthony’s Movement Salon.
Sandra teaches beginner through professional classes at dance studios, health clubs and corporations in New York.
Proper body alignment and breathing techniques are taught and practiced in all classes. Classes are taught in non-
threatening environments conducive to learning. Sandra’s highly stylized dancing is second to none and she
performs classical Middle Eastern dance with both excitement and sophistication. Sandra is known for her
exuberant, high-energy performing. Sandra’s portrayal of Middle Eastern dance is authentic and electrifying.
Sandra Catena is a published author. Her first novel, The African Belly Dance, was published on March 26, 2008.
The African Belly Dance is a belly dance murder mystery. At present, the only place in the world you can buy a
belly dance murder mystery is from Sandra.
WHAT SANDRA CATENA’S STUDENTS ARE SAYING:
Sandra encourages each student to be her best and makes me feel like it’s actually possible to be a real belly
dancer. I started belly dancing because I wanted to get fit in a fun, exciting way. When Sandra teaches class she
lets us all know what movements are excellent, what needs work and she always gives us positive feedback. Her
love and support is what keeps me coming back. Judy T.
In the beginning I took Sandra’s classes for fitness. Soon I realized the deeper level of this form of classical dance.
I love to feel the joy and the thrill while I move. Besides the dance itself, Sandra is a wonderful teacher. She
makes each one of us feel important. Keepa M.
I have been studying belly dancing with Sandra for one and one half years. I have been grateful for Sandra for her
dedication to teaching to the individual; being aware of their own personal shortcomings whether it be self-
consciousness about one’s body, lack of flexibility or inability to follow the routine. She manages to help us
transcend all of our self-doubts that get in the way of feeling the dance. Sandra’s knowledge is profound. It is not
only her techniques which she is able to break down to show us how to accomplish the complicated steps but it is
the power of the posture, the walk, the grace that we bring into our lives as we leave her classes. She is a
magnificent performer both in the class and on the stage. Sandra creates the image of which to emulate and brings
you on the belly dancing ride with her spirited esoteric music and incredible enthusiasm. I now walk proudly into
the world with my pelvis tilted forward, my shoulders relaxed and head held high thanks to
Sandra. Irma P.
Belly dance is a great source of exercise without feeling like exercising. Also a stress releaser! Since I’ve been belly
dancing with Sandra I’ve gotten to know my body better and feel more comfortable with and within my
body. Erato S.
I love the challenge, music and new movements to learn in belly dance, no matter how long one
studies. Jeanette W.
Belly dancing is good exercise, great fun and a tremendous confidence builder. You feel powerful. What I most
enjoy about belly dance is the music and movement. There’s something elemental about belly dancing, like
returning to the womb, but all grown up and sexy. I’ve been to Sandra’s shows and they made me understand why
some men are driven insane by women. When you watch Sandra perform you see someone with a tremendous gift
to not only transport herself but her whole audience to a world of rhythm, seduction and
art. Rina P.
I love moving to the music in ways I’ve never moved my body before. Belly dancing enables me to enjoy myself
while getting a good work-out. Lynne R.
The free spirited, female energy of belly dancing awakens a part of me that I never want to go to sleep again! I
most like Sandra’s ease, grace and command of the dance as she teaches class. Her classes are great exercise and
they fill me with a dream that beauty is everywhere and within everything. Belly dancing gives me a true sense of
who I am and allows me to express myself fully. It never judges me or lets me down. It’s always there to warm me
when things get a little cold. Belly dance is who I am now. Leilainia P.
I enjoy everything about belly dance, but most specifically, I enjoy the focus, concentration and opportunity to
express myself in the rhythms of the music. It is a challenging physical experience, especially because of the
isolations required of more advanced movements. I’ve had many benefits in belly dancing, not the least of which
has been finding the joy of expression, alone and in a group, and learning movements that I once thought
impossible to achieve. Another benefit is the socializing; interesting women pursue this art form. Having Sandra as
a teacher has been a motivating experience. Her gift in dance challenges me to try harder; her talent motivates me
to practice, experiment and grow. Michelle R.
First of all, class is fun and challenging. Once you learn how to align your body correctly, the movements are both
freeing and relaxing. The music we dance to is energizing and dramatic. Also, there is a sense of history present in
this art form; it is woman-centered and inclusive of all body types and levels of expertise. Since I’ve been belly
dancing I’ve increased strength, flexibility and body awareness, confidence, greater self-esteem (especially re: body
image), deeper appreciation for dance and music and a sense of community with fellow students. I have performed
in four of Sandra’s shows. While performing has never been a specific goal of mine, the benefits mentioned above
plus Sandra’s encouragement led me to try it. The performance experience itself was incredibly positive, very
rewarding and led me to continue. Ellen D.
My love for belly dancing runs so deep within me that it’s difficult to sort out the components, but I’ll try. There
are no limits regarding learning and improving. With every step or leap you feel great accomplishment and are
constantly reaching forward. There are no age barriers and the glamorous make-up, jewelry and costumes are every
little girl’s dream and any woman can have it! I have performed in Sandra’s shows and the experiences have given
me the opportunity to show what I have studied and worked hard to achieve. Sandra Catena is an exciting and
dynamic performer. Her amazing technique and rapport with her audience is a must see experience. Robin W.
I find that belly dancing, unlike the other forms of dance I’ve studied, works with my body’s natural movements
and energy flow and not against them. What I love about belly dancing is that a woman like myself – a larger
woman with physical challenges – found movements in the dance that highlight the positive aspects of my body. I’
ve corrected poor posture, built abdominal muscles and strengthened my lower back. I found that the correct
posture I learned n class transcends dance class and is incorporated in the way I carry myself in public. I feel taller
and stronger because of my dance training with Sandra. Shari S.
I love the music I’m exposed to in Sandra’s classes, learning powerful, sexy moves and practicing the technique.
Belly dance is a leveler – bringing out beauty in women of all shapes, colors, and abilities. Out of all of the above,
the exercise component was an unintentional gain out of this experience. Belly dance inspires me when I’m shaking
it out on the dance floor in a club and that’s fun. Belly dance was a constant factor in my life – jobs changed, men
came and went, moods went up and down…but there was always belly
dance! Gale S.
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Directions to the studio
44-02 23rd street studio 216
LIC. NY. 11101
Eric@LICSB.COM
(718)781-1169
This site was designed by Eric Ragan Tzen Digital Archives
Copyright © 2007 LICSB All rights reserved
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