Born inBogota, Colombia, Mariana is a multi-award winning Middle Eastern dance artist, with 18 years of Western dance training and 12years training inraqs sharqi(belly dance).
Mariana's passion for dance started from childhood. Classically trained in ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, Latin ballroom, and Flamenco, she took her passion for dance with her through grade school and college performing in countless recitals and shows.
While continuing to dance at college, she discovered the art of belly dance (raqs sharqi). Since that first class with Najia of Philadelphia, Mariana has focused her training specifically on Egyptian oriental dance technique with a focus on ethnic, regional or folklore dances of Egypt. She dedicates her personal study of technique and nuance to preserve their authenticity in performance. She also has started expanding her dance knowledge and practice to include more of a presentation of dances from North Africa, the Gulf region, and the Levant.
Since 2010, Mariana has been performing professionally all over PA, DE, and NJ. She has performed in restaurants, night clubs, hookah lounges, as well as countless private events including weddings, quinceaneras, holiday parties, anniversaries, baptisms, corporate events, and birthday parties (Interested in booking Mariana? Click the 'booking' tab to the left).
In June 2013, Mariana won 1st place in Jewels of the Orient Competition in their Rising Star Tribal/Fusion Category.
In August 2020, Mariana was awarded "The Best Takseem" certificate in the Golden Age Queen International Bellydance Competition Online Edition.
Mariana strongly believes that she will always be a student and currently studies with master Egyptian instructors as often as she can.
