Photo Courtesy:  Lina Jang Photography

Costume:  Madame Abla

Born and raised in New York City of Dominican heritage, Rena embraces and is influenced by all styles of music and dance. She is a first generation Hispanic-American, proud of both her Latin roots as well as having been born in the United States. She grew up knowing that dancing was naturally in her blood and credits her parents with her ability to learn and adapt to any dance form.  This is evident in Rena's passion and discipline for Oriental Dance.  Within a relatively short amount of time, she absorbed the technique and emotion unique to this art form as well as having gained respect from instructors and dance colleagues alike.

Rena has been studying and performing Middle Eastern Dance since 2002 when she began training with Miami-based Oriental Dance Artist, Virginia.   Rena initially incorporated belly dance into her workout routine as part of her health and fitness regimen.  Within days, she fell in love with the art form and decided she not only wanted to reap the physical benefits from it, but was also interested in performing and educating others.  Rena's performance style is American Cabaret Style, with elements of Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, Latin, Brazilian, Flamenco and West African dances.  She has been commended by both her mentors and colleagues for her precise hip and abdominal work, expressive hand and arm movements and overall passionate delivery.  As with most dancers, Rena strives for personal excellence through consistent training with various dance instructors and has taken intensive workshops with these top notch Oriental Dance Artists:  Sahra Saeeda, Fahtiem, Jim Boz, Raqia Hassan Aziza, Suhaila Salimpour and Momo Kadous. 

Based in Philadelphia, Rena maintains a busy schedule as a performer/entertainer and instructor and continues to develop her choreography skills to further both her artistic and emotional interpretation of Middle Eastern Dance.  Rena teaches Beginner and Intermediate Level Belly Dance at Valerie Rushmere's Studio 1831 in Philadelphia.  She has appeared on Philadelphia's Channel 6 Action News as the featured belly dancer at the Annual Spring Festival Parade.  Additional performance venues include Caesar’s, Harrah's and Ballys in Atlantic City, World Café Live in Philadelphia, St. Maron's Church Annual Lebanese Festival,  Drexel University, Rakkasah East Middle Eastern Dance Festival and many others inlcuding weddings, corporate parties, haflas, cultural festivals and VIP events.

Rena has performed with some of the best musicians in the area including:  Roger Mgrdichian (Oud), Joe Tayoun (Doumbek/Riq/Percussion), Adeeb Rafela (Violin), Bill Phipps (Percussion), Chris Marashlian (Bass), WilliamTayoun (Doumbek/Riq/Percussion), Elliot Levin (Flute/Saxophone), Elias Sarkar (Violin/Vocals), Tito Rubio (Guitar), Hafez Ali Kotain (Doumbek/Durbuke/Percussion), Bill Koutsouros (Bouzouki/Oud/Doumbek) and  Animus.  
 

Rena’s energetic spirit and positive outlook are strong factors in her determination to stay strong, healthy and at peace.  However, she mentions that the greatest contributing factor is her loving family and spiritual connection with God.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31