About the producers of JamBallah NW
Executive Producer/Creative Director Elise Morris of Narcissa Productions LLC
Elise is an theatrical fusion bellydancer based in beautiful Portland OR. She has been bellydancing since 2003, when she fell in love with Tribal Improv at Caravan Studios, where she danced with the troupe Urban Berbers until its dissolution in 2008. She also spent some time as assistant director/choreographer for Tableaux Vivant, of Znama Studios. Elise continues to study and strive for refinement and inspiration in her dance, and attends as many varied classes and workshops as she can from the fabulously talented local and imported teachers in the Portland area. She is currently certified in Rachel Brice's 8 Elements Intensive Level 1: Initiation, and has shared the stage with such greats as Colleena Shakti, Unmata, and Ms. Rachel Brice herself.
Currently, Elise balances her massage therapy business with her passion for dance and production, performing as a soloist at various shows, festivals and private events around town, working on projects and collaborations with local dancers and musicians, and of course spearheading JamBallah NW. She is also booker and co-producer (with Endymienne) of Bellydance Uncorked, a semi-monthly variety revue in Portland showcasing top-shelf, unique and compelling dancers and musicians from all over the Pacific Northwest. Elise enjoys long walks on the beach, and Halloween is her favorite holiday. She is endlessly grateful to her dance community, her family, and most of all her long-suffering husband for their unceasing love and support.
Narcissa Productions LLC Youtube Channel
Associate producer Bianca McCarthy of 9 Ladies Dancing Productions
Bianca McCarthy has a background in jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, ballroom, Brazilian samba, flamenco and tribal belly dance. She has performed locally as a soloist and with such groups as Gypsy Caravan Dance Company, Caravan Daughters, Urban Berbers, Black Cat Collective, Origin and the Gemini Project. She is Creative Director of 9 Ladies Dancing Productions. 9 Ladies Dancing is committed to promoting the best local and regional non-traditional dance companies in the Pacific Northwest and to fostering the growth of dance in the region. We strive to connect established and emerging companies and choreographers with each other, as well as, collaborate with other arts organizations to make dance performances possible.
9 Ladies Dancing Theatre webpage
Marketing Director, 2012 Samira Alemana of Blissful Events and Productions
Samira Alemana is a cabaret-fusion style dancer from Vancouver, WA. She is an event planner and owner of Blissful Events and Productions. Samira produces two monthly belly dance shows in Portland - Bella Notte at Vino Vixens, and the Rising Stars of Belly Dance at Marino Adriatic Café. She has always loved to dance – any style, anywhere, anytime! Ever the dance rebel, she used to defy her parents and sneak across the border from Vancouver to Portland as a teen to go dancing in under-age clubs! Over the years, she’s dabbled in the ballroom and Latin dances and as a youth, she participated in gymnastics and cheer. But once she discovered belly dancing… she was hooked! She started belly dancing at the age of 22, when she lived in New York for a brief stint, but continued her adventures in belly dance, studying with various instructors as she’s moved throughout the Northwest. She has truly found her home in the extraordinary belly dance community here in Portland, for which she is eternally grateful! Samira loved her JamBallah experience so much last year, she decided she just had to be involved this year, and is very excited to promote the festival and all of its amazingly talented instructors and performers!