Nanna began practicing and performing Belly Dance over 25 years ago.
Her understanding of the dance is credited to teachers with a range of styles and influences, including: Nadia Hamdi, Shareen El Safy, Eva Cernik, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Cassandra, and Suhaila Salimpour. It is important that she honor the significant influence of her first and primary teacher, Mary Ann Thompson in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Though Belly Dance is her principal genre, her involvement also includes:
Uzbek, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Afro-Cuban, and West African Dance.

She has cultivated her performance skills through extensive experience entertaining in restaurants, nightclubs, and a multitude of public and private events. She was accepted into the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival as a soloist in 1997, and with two of her dance ensembles in 1999 and 2000. They were later to perform in the 2000 International Cultural Festival in Beijing, China.

She has presented lectures and demonstrations, and appeared in symposiums, for State Colleges, such as: UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, and Mills College. She, and master drummer Mary Ellen Donald currently demonstrate Middle Eastern music and dance to public and private schools through Young Audiences of Northern California.

Recognized and respected for her understanding and proficiency of the dance, Nanna has been called on to be a panal judge in belly dance competitions, such as Belly Dancer of the Year and Queen of the Bay. She has taught Belly dance to countless students of all levels. She teaches locally in the East Bay of Northern California, and offers master workshops to dance communities outside and beyond. Her greatest pleasure is derived from inspiring and impassioning others through her teaching as well as her dance.

Read " How much do you charge?" an article by Nanna @ GILDED SERPENT archives
or with other related articles at: SAMIRA SHURUK

Why isn't Nanna famous?
Excerpts from a BHUZ.COM Topic - Posted: August 15, 2005

Yeah, I know that's a funny topic-line.
But honestly. I stopped in at Cafe Bellie last night toward the end, and caught her set. I've seen her dance four times now and have run into her a couple of times socially. She's so good! and a cool person too...I know she is teaching at Rakkasah next year, but it is so weird to me that she's been around for so long and is still kind of a secret, even in the Bay Area.
Lotus Zari

I agree 100%...Nanna is incredible...nice person too..
Jesennia Alkai Silks

What I love about her is that she doesn't rush her moves. She takes her time for just the right accents, and uses her movements to express the music beautifully. Lovely and unique costumes too. :)
Ebbiejoy

I worked with Nanna on Saturday nights at Amira for about 18 months. She always used to encourage me to put out videos and promote myself now and not wait as long as she has. She is truly fabulous, and I learned so much just by watching her performances! She was very inspiring last night! She hasn't really promoted herself until now. I think she released a performance video recently. I would love to see her become a successful workshop teacher and performer. IAMED should snatch her up as well. She will no doubt make her mark at Rakkasah 2006.
Jasmine

I seem to remember reading a post or on her site - really lovely comments about Nanna from Sandra - she studied with her right? or maybe I'm mixing up Sandra with Michelle or one of the other SF dancers.
People have talked about her in glowing terms - would be nice to see her perform in person. Is she for sure doing Rakkasah this coming year? I'm planning on going for the first time.
Danidance

Nanna has always given a brilliant show each time I've seen her. Her costumes are breathtakingly elegant & her dance ethereal. Did I mention her zills are spot on? She's worth seeing as often as possible.
Highly recommend her classes too.
Tink

Nanna has been my highest source of inspiration for the past year and a half. She is a brilliant dancer. I hope everyone gets the chance to see her. One of the things I admire about her is that she keeps her dance "simple" and "pure". When you watch her, you simply see beautiful belly dance. Not jazz/belly dance, or ballet/belly dance (not that there is anything wrong with that). Although, come to think of it, she might incorporate some African dance moves. Well, whatever she does or doesn't do, she rocks!
Zaheea

Nanna gave a great workshop at Winter Moon this year- really, really useful advice as to how to structure a performance. She explained how by varying the intensity and scale of a movement, you can put together a compelling and composed performance with really just a few moves. She used as an example circular patterns- something small and focused as an omi, to the drama of a large hip circle, to travelling in a circular pattern on the floor, and then spiralling the focus back inward. She also said not to fear repetition- music repeats patterns, why shouldn't we? That workshop was six months ago, and I'm still thinking about it.
She makes all of her own costumes, too.
Nitara

quote:
Originally posted by zaheea
Nanna has been my highest source of inspiration for the past year and a half. She is a brilliant dancer. I hope everyone gets the chance to see her. One of the things I admire about her is that she keeps her dance "simple" and "pure". When you watch her, you simply see beautiful belly dance. Not jazz/belly dance, or ballet/belly dance (not that there is anything wrong with that). Although, come to think of it, she might incorporate some African dance moves. Well, whatever she does or doesn't do, she rocks!

I'm so glad you told me about Nanna. She is exactly as you describe.
Rachelraks

I have studied with Nanna - she is fantastic. Private lessons with her is money well spent. She has been a well kept secret, not marketing herself much in the past. It would drive me nuts to know how wonderful she is and how she wasn't world famous! I'm so glad that Sandra finally made her a website!
Michelle

I took classes with Nanna years ago, she was one of my first teachers, and I think she is an amazing dancer. She is so fluid and creative with her movement. It was always a joy to watch her. I am especially excited that my troupe has invited her to Santa Cruz to teach a drum solo workshop later this month. I can't wait to take a class from her again.
Jalilah Felice

I'm Glad there are others out there who agree! I've been telling people about Nanna since I first saw her perform in 1994. We were excited to have her here at my studio in a show/Workshop in New Mexico!<(AnASP)Ancient Art Studio Productions> I am always mesmerized by her!!!!!and know she will eventually gain the recognition she deserves!!!Don't forget us Nanna!!LOVE SELENAKAREENA
www.ancientartstudioproductions.com
Selena Kareena

We have to get her down to L.A. darnit....
Danidance

Just been looking through her gallery. It's one of the best I've seen. Lovely photos, with humour and she looks beautiful.
Monir