http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#a5f241e0-dfe2-4b95-9eef-c876494843ab Sad news, she is the reason I started to dance I ran accross her book in the library as a teenager and was hooked ever since. Her video was my first instructional as well. Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:07:57 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#a5f241e0-dfe2-4b95-9eef-c876494843ab $item.owner.firstName 2007-08-29T14:07:57Z http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#f8692c79-efe4-4d60-9a76-f80119c62daf I studied with Serena in the late 1970's, and vividly remember going to her studio for the first time. For most of the classes my teacher was the lovely LaDonn Amato, who was a wonderful teacher. The first class I took with Serena was amazing. I was in awe of her. She taught us a particular step, and then asked us to do it on our own. She came over to me and said "Barbara, that's fantastic!" I almost cried. She was so generous with her praise of those just beginning to learn the dance. Even though I stopped going to classes after 5 years, I still dance (even if only for the exercise) and remember those early days at Serena Studios. My condolences to Rip, Scott and the entire family. Serena's beauty and grace will live on in those of us she touched. Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:42:08 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#f8692c79-efe4-4d60-9a76-f80119c62daf Barbara 2007-07-27T13:42:08Z http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#15198cac-cfdc-485a-bf08-42d06a9a1a2d Im a long time fan of Serena, and i was deeply sad to hear the news of her passing. I feel very lucky to grateful to know that her spirit shines on in one of my students, Takako, who recently returned from living in NY, where she had studied with Serena. Recently she danced for the first time in one of my studio shows, and her dance was so beautiful and I could see so much of Serena`s style in her and I was so happy and in love with her dancing that night. Of course we were all sad to hear of her passing, we spoke of her before class, and I was so moved because that night one of my students who also practises hula, made a special prayer circle with the other dancers, and chanted for her. The beauty that Serena shared, continues to spread through out the world, and her spirit lives on. Mishaal in Tokyo Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:32:57 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#15198cac-cfdc-485a-bf08-42d06a9a1a2d Mishaal 2007-06-25T09:32:57Z http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#7885e718-e649-4f76-b337-6755607e4772 I am just sad beyond words... I've posted around Tribe about my wonderful meeting with this special woman just last year...she was a doll to me and I'll never forget it... I ache for her family and her family of dancers... Gia Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:27:30 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#7885e718-e649-4f76-b337-6755607e4772 Gia 2007-06-19T12:27:30Z http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#d9e9d930-b700-4992-8e41-a089a4c3c836 I have just found out as well, she taught me so much. I feel the same. Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:19:23 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#d9e9d930-b700-4992-8e41-a089a4c3c836 Joanne 2007-06-19T12:19:23Z http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#aa5f3436-4484-43d5-a5a4-bd7ab51b836b I will also mention that Zahra Kader and Zamira were also good friends of Serena and Johanna. I wish I'd thought to ask her if she knew their whereabouts today. Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:56:54 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#aa5f3436-4484-43d5-a5a4-bd7ab51b836b $item.owner.firstName 2007-06-18T21:56:54Z http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#7eafa095-15c6-4ddb-8e4a-7ad18775a620 My heart breaks to hear this and I'll be sad to tell my mother Johanna the news. Serena was a good friend of hers and Johanna also counted some of Serena's students in the past as her friends as well including Samora and Siri. Johanna and Serena worked the Egyptian Gardens together and I remember how just in the last month or so I excitedly brought Johanna to a local library to view Scott Wilson's clips about his mother on "Youtube." The clips were lovely and a joy for us to see. So little remains of what used to be. I e-mailed Serena about a year and a half ago and told her how I missed NYC. We reminisced about our mid-town stomping grounds and I told her she was lucky to still be in our old "hood." (I grew up on West 57th). I had the pleasure of seeing her dance a "Karsilama" with some of her students at an outdoor festival in the 70's when I was a kid. Johanna said that Serena was just like her name, "Serene." She said she never knew Serena to have a cross word with anyone. Johanna was meaning to write to her and, alas, waited too long. She will be missed. Love, Aziza Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:55:23 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#7eafa095-15c6-4ddb-8e4a-7ad18775a620 $item.owner.firstName 2007-06-18T21:55:23Z http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#cdba5d8f-b41d-4202-9f7f-326ef4e4d592 I have just been informed that Serena Wilson passed away last night after a short stay at a hospital. She was a legendary dancer who helped shaped our dance scene in the East Coast. For those of us who had the chance to know her and study and study with her the loss hits very close to home. I feel like I lost a family member. Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:25:25 GMT http://bellydancelegacy.tribe.net/thread/4d233ee4-07f7-4ab8-9a02-8ea224e562fc#cdba5d8f-b41d-4202-9f7f-326ef4e4d592 Athallia 2007-06-18T19:25:25Z