Crystal Silmi is a belly dance fusion instructor based out of Santa Cruz, California. She has become known for her unique style of hip hop infused movements and has performed for audiences around the world. Skilled in both the art of classical Middle Eastern dance and modern fusion, Crystal puts her Arab American roots to the dance with a deep sense of rhythm and powerful athleticism. As a long time student of master instructor Suhaila Salimpour, Crystal has danced with both the Suhaila Dance Company and Bal Anat. In 2006 she founded the belly dance fusion troupe RaksArabi based out of Motion Pacific Dance Studio in Santa Cruz, Ca with troupe members from across the South Bay and Central Coast communities. RaksArabi draws upon hip hop, jazz, north african and other dance styles to enhance the art of belly dance with vivid and contemporay feel. (source)
"I feel lighter, both mentally and physically. I also feel more content ethically speaking. My diet has a super low carbon foot print and I know that animals are not suffering on my account." -Crystal Silmi
She is yet another compassionate 'Mover,' enchanting artist and vegan for which to be on the look out! An enthralling dance company of which she has been known to collaborate with is Deshret Dance Company. Deshret was founded in early 2007 by Ariellah, the company's artistic director. Check out this performance to one of my personal favorites, 'Only You' by Portishead.
Photography of Crystal in yellow dress by Javier