A dancer of many styles since childhood, Christina discovered Middle-Eastern folkloric dance and began her studies in 1992 with Tahjah of Madison, Wisconsin. She was performing with Tahjah's troupe within the year, traveling throughout the Midwest with them. She eventually started teaching informally and choreographing for the troupe. Soon after, Christina brought her talents to the Midwest Rock Opera Company (then called Tribe Theatre) and became a dancer, choreographer, and prinicpal actress in the company.
After moving to Chicago in 1996, Christina began teaching a small folkloric troupe of her own and studying Egyptian style bellydance under internationally acclaimed Jasmin Jahal. The transition from folkloric to a more modern style was just the challenge she was looking for. In Jasmin she found inspiration and a renewed love of the dance. She remains a student and mentee of Jasmin's to this day.
In 1999, Christina added Tribal Bellydance style to her studies through classes with Stephanie Barto of Read My Hips. Soon, she was performing with Stephanie's student troupe The Fringe Connection and was an occasional guest with Read My Hips. In the summer of 2001, Christina became one of the founding members and co-directors of Blue Lotus Tribe, now recognized as one of the hottest Tribal troupes in the Midwest. Blue Lotus Tribe has performed all over the country and is invited regularly to teach workshops and seminars.
Also in 2001, Christina began to perform professionally as a solo artist in Middle-Eastern restaurants in the Chicago area as well as at private and corporate functions. Owing to her warm stage presence, strong technique, and instinctive musical interpretation, Christina recieved the Audience Choice Award at Tizi Melloul's Golden Belly Competition in May of 2004.
In January of 2003, Christina began teaching weekly classes in the Chicago area. Her love of teaching shines through as she teaches dozens of students each week. She enjoys seeing women of all walks of life come together to embrace this most beautiful of dance forms and ultimately, their own place within it. In the past few years, Christina has been invited to teach and peform all over the country, and her travel schedule continues to get more exciting. In 2007, Christina completed Kajira Djoumahna's level one teacher certification for the Blacksheep Bellydance Tribal Improv format. She now concentrates her local teaching efforts in her adopted hometown of Elgin, IL.
Christina continues to hone her craft, taking workshops from many teachers as they pass through the Midwest and traveling to other parts of the country to seek out the best instructors she can find. She also embraces the bellydance community by performing for local haflas, benefits, and in seminar shows. Her student troupe, Lotus Bloom, has begun to make its mark locally as well, earning high praise from the Chicago bellydance community.
"Christina King has that rare ability of perfect crossover. She can perform an elegant Cabaret Raqs Sharqi piece with great musicality, and then deliver an edgy and fusionesque Tribal routine, both with equal conviction. "
-Karim "Turbo Tabla" Nagi
"Christina King is one of those rare artists who can shine in both genres - Oriental and Tribal. Bravo!"
-Elizabeth Artemis Mourat, MA, MSW
"I love Christina's earthy, honest style and her fluid movement with the music is stunning!"
-Dalia Carella
"I highly recommend Christina King's classes!
She's personable, communicates really clearly and is dedicated to each and every individual walking out of her classes with something he/she can use. She's got lovely technique, a broad depth of knowledge and wonderful creative ideas."
-Samira Shuruk
Christina King : Christina@RaksChristina.com : 773-454-6498
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All contents of this website copyright 2008 Christina King. All images have been used with permission.
Studio pictures copyright Pixie Vision Productions.