Zel Hayal began belly dancing in 1992. Her first teacher was Sammoura of Denver and she then studied with Joynan of Denver for several years. She has also taken numerous workshops/private lessons with such dancers as Suhaila, Morocco, Shakti and Siovanna, Dahlia, Eva Cernik, Fat Chance Belly Dance, Domba, etc. She began performing at a semi-professional level in 1995. Zel’s first "real" performance was in "Moon over Morocco". She has performed with groups in various festivals such as Taste of Colorado and The People's Fair and has done solo performances at House of Kabob, Cafe Euphrates and a number of other venues. Zel began teaching in 2000 at a local recreation center.

Zel was always drawn to middle eastern culture, loved watching middle eastern themed movies as a child and was always very interested in ancient history. She always loved to dance and took ballet & jazz as a child and was always choreographing routines for herself & friends and participated in many talent shows (even won a few prizes!). When Zel was young her mother took her to a local Denver restaurant called Khyber Pass and it was there that she first saw belly dance live. She was mesmerized. In the early 90's, while watching a group of dancers performing at the Renaissance festival, she decided she absolutely had to do this!!" She enrolled in a beginning class shortly thereafter and has been "hooked" ever since.

Zel has received many benefits from dance and it transformed her life. She especially loves the creative freedom and ability to express herself, as well as many wonderful friends she has made along the way. She chose the dance name Zel Hayal for it's meaning: Zel is a Turkish name that means "private, special". Hayal is also a Turkish name that means "dream."

Zel had always been interested in American Tribal Style dance and dreamed of forming/participating in a dance troupe that has a bit more focus on that which is most mysterious about middle eastern dance. However, she did not wish to be limited to improvisational style dance and wanted to also perform choreographed, theatrical dance as well. The style of Benazir is earthy, a bit intimidating, full of energy and suits her preferred style of dance.

Other hobbies and interests: Middle eastern drumming; sewing (especially costumes, of course!); cooking; reading; art (primarily charcoal, pastel & watercolor\mixed media of my own creation); listening to just about every form of music, doll making...and many other creative pursuits when the inspiration strikes.

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