Belly Dancer Tribute 1/26/12: Mary Ellen Donald (Philadelphia, PA)

Mary Ellen Donald is the QUEEN of all things rhythms, drumming, cymbals and musicality.

I’m so glad to have had a chance to study at one of her workshops.  What an honor.  If you are lucky enough be able to attend one of her workshops, you will not be disappointed.

She does drumming, tambourine and cymbals on one of my all-time favorite dance albums: Encore! Bert’s Baladi.  She is playing the HELL out of those cymbals!  I did a choreography to the cymbal section and baladi finale to Samai Suite because the cymbals she plays are so challenging.  That was one of the most challenging dances I have ever performed.  It took years to practice the cymbals, get them right and work up the courage to perform that dance.  The cymbals on that Samai Suite are haunting.  When I got the album and listened to it, I knew that one day I had to challenge and conquer those cymbals.

Thank you Mary Ellen for playing the Hell out those cymbals, not only in that song, but the hard work and effort you shared with the Belly Dance community for teaching us how to be better with playing cymbals, drums, tambourines, and all things RHYTHM!

http://maryellendonald.com/
http://www.maryellendonald.com/RhythmsCorner.htm
For more dance gossip & goodies, check out my book, "Learn to Belly Dance Textbook" available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble :
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learn-to-belly-dance-textbook-certification-program-shalimar-ali/1105014103?ean=9781465346582&itm=1&usri=9781465346582

Now is your time to Join the Conversation!  Comments, Questions, concerns, tributes are all welcome!
What is your favorite song or drumming by Mary Ellen Donald?