Since the beginning of her professional dance career in 2004, Taletha has been captivating audiences with her natural grace, her soulful stage presence, her clean technical abilities and her keen music interpretation. Her ability to assimilate new movements and styles, coupled with her penchant for interpreting the rhythms and emotions of non-Western music, quickly made her one of the Mid-west region's most sought after and acclaimed solo Belly Dance artists receiving accolades from students, audiences and professionals alike.  Her style has been described as mesmerizing and stunning and her abilities are credited with, "putting Louisville, KY on the belly dance map!" She has performed and taught for major corporate functions, museums, cultural events, and even tattoo conventions. Taletha’s abilities have earned her the opportunity to teach and perform not only in Louisville, but also in Lexington, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Dayton, Columbus, Denver, Reno, Seattle and West Virginia. These opportunities have given Taletha recognition locally, and are also beginning to get the attention of people on a national and international level.  

            Taletha's dance training began with Belly Dance, but it doesn't end there. Soon after her introduction to Middle Eastern dance, Taletha had the opportunity to learn the many rare and beautiful dances of the Central Asian region, Iran and Turkey with the Crescent Moon Dance Company (Jo Hadley, Director). Her membership in the company placed her in the direct lineage of some of the Central Asian region's most esteemed dancers.  She became one of the Crescent Moon Dance Company's most accomplished members earning the opportunity to perform throughout Kentucky as well as the region.  She is now one of a very limited number of dancers in the United States to be well-versed in over one dozen authentic dances from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey.

           In 2005, Taletha co-founded TL2 Productions, a partnership dedicated to bringing the joy of dance and music to Louisville, KY and Southern Indiana. TL2 Productions exposed the area to performers who had never before been in the area and provided performance opportunities for dancers throughout the region. TL2 Productions' most distinct achievement was the creation of the Gothalyptic Belly Dance Festival which showcased the talents of internationally renowned fusion dancers and provided new learning opportunities for regional dancers. 

            In 2007 Taletha founded the Asrar Al Badra dance company, a group which served to provide a creative outlet and performance training for her students. Asrar Al Badra gave her the opportunity to blend her teaching philosophy, her experience with folk dances and her abilities as a choreographer into both Egyptian and fusion style dance pieces.

            In 2008, Taletha called upon her experience as a classically trained flautist and became co-founder of the Arabic music group, Ahel El Nagam. Ahel El Nagam provided her with the opportunity to dance and play traditional Arabic music in a broad range of settings. She was able to gain experience not only with playing Arabic music on a Western instrument, but also with playing the riq and dumbek.

            As a teacher, Taletha has been hailed for her unique and enthusiastic style. Her immersive approach, sense of humor and desire to create a comfortable and supportive environment for her students serves as a balance for her desire to instill proper movement technique and poise. She believes dance is a many faceted art form which includes not only movement assimilation, but also a well-rounded knowledge of the concepts within the dance. Taletha strives to increase her students' level of self awareness and confidence. And she fashions her lesson plans so that each and every student who enters her class, regardless of experience level, leaves having learned something new.

            Taletha is available for belly dance workshops in a variety of subjects. She is also available for private parties, weddings, cultural/international events, restaurants and corporate functions. To see Taletha's booking information, please visit the booking page.

Dance Repertoire

Central Asia

Ferghana (Uzbekistan)

Bukharan (Uzbekistan)

Tadjik (Uzbekistan)

Khorezm (Uzbekistan)

Afghani (Afghanistan)

Uighur (China)

Turkmen (Turkmenistan)

Azeri (Azerbaijan)

Middle East/Mediterranean/Iran

Khaliji (Gulf Region)

Raks Al Assaya (Egypt)

Raks Sharqi (Belly Dance - Egypt)

Halay (Turkey)

Chiftitelli (Turkey)

Karshlama (Turkey)

Classical Persian (Iran)

Bandari (Iran)

Some of  Taletha’s past performances include:

Honors

Zaghareet Magazine's Golden Belly Award Nominee for 2008 - Best Ethnic Dancer

Hipdrop.com's Featured Artist - April 2005

Personal Best Belly Dance Competition – Second Place, Silver Category (2004)

As Instructor and Featured Performer

WHAS 11 Health Fair - Louisville, KY (2009)

Gothic vs. Egyptian workshop - Beckley, WV (2009)

Phenomenal Arms and Gothic Belly Dance Combinations at Purdue University - LaFayette, IN (2009)

Phenomenal Arms and I Hate Footwork at Kira's Oasis - Centerville, OH (2009)

The Gothalyptic Belly Dance Festival – New Albany, IN and Louisville, KY (2008 - 2010)

Delectably Dark Combinations Workshop at Mecca - Lexington, KY (2008)

HOT Combinations and Gothic Belly Dance Workshop at Mecca Dance Studio - Lexington, KY (2007)

Zills Drills and Gothic Belly Dance Workshop at Kira's Oasis - Centerville, OH (2007)

The Hipdrop Live Tour - Columbus, OH (2006)

“Sizzle in the Fizzle” Valentine's Workshop for Beginners - Louisville, KY (2006)

As Featured Performer

Forecastle - Louisville, KY (2010)

Sonic Epitaph CD Release Party - Louisville, KY (2010)

ConNooga with Yard Gnome Productions - Chattanooga, TN (2010)

Repeat Performances at the Melody Inn with il Troubadore - Indianapolis, IN (2009)

The National Tattoo Association's 29th Annual Convention - Reno, NV (2008)

Carnival of Evil - Cincinnati, OH (2008)

TL2 Productions and Restless Natives Productions present Belly Spell - Louisville, KY (2007)

The Red Tour with Snakes Rising and il Troubadore – Louisville, KY (2007)

The National Tattoo Association's 28th Annual Convention - Seattle, WA (2007)

The White Tour with Snakes Rising and il Troubadore - Columbus, Dayton and Louisville (2007)

TL2 Productions Presents Raquy and the Cavemen – Louisville, KY (2006)

The 1st International Denver Tattoo Convention - Denver, Colorado (2006)

The University of Louisville with Grotesque Burlesque at the Red Barn - Louisville, KY (2006)

Victory of Light Festival with Snakes Rising - Cincinnati, OH (2006)

Jarfi's Bistro Scherezade Premiere Party – Louisville, KY (2006)

Mardi Gras Louisville (2006)

Phoenix Hill Tavern's Mardi Gras Celebration (2006)

Beyond the Nile – Louisville, KY (2005)

Art Sanctuary's, "Art Soirée," – Louisville, KY (2005)

Louisville Zoo's International Family Festival  (2004)  

With the Crescent Moon Dance Company

Window on the World - Cookeville, TN (2009, 2011)

World Fest on the Belvedere (2005-2007, 2009)

The Crane House Asian New Year Festival (2004-2008)

Speed Art Museum 1000 Families Family Day (2005 - 2010)

The Crane House's 20th Anniversary Celebration (2007)

With Ahel El Nagam as Musician and Dancer

Repeat Performances at Zorba's - Indianapolis, IN (2009-2010)

Repeat Performances at Perkfection - Jeffersonville, IN (2008)

Worldfest on the Belvedere (2008)

Middle Eastern Culture Festival at Xavier University – Cincinnati , OH (2008)

Repeat Performances at Road to Morocco (2007-2009)

Repeat Performances at Blue Mountain Coffee House and Wine Bar (2007-2008)

Harvest Homecoming – New Albany, IN (2007, 2008)

With Asrar Al Badra

Conglomeration - Louisville, KY (2010)

Gypsy Soup - Lexington, KY (2010)

Metafaire - Louisville, KY (2010)

The IUS International Festival - New Albany, IN (2009)

The Henry Wallace Brigade fundraiser - Louisville, KY (2007)

L'Stylz Magazine's, "Make Room for Love," Dinner Party - Louisville,  KY (2008)