We recently connected with Fvorboda Allen and have shared our conversation below.

Fvorboda, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As a young girl, I was shy and self-conscious about my body, but I always wanted to dance. I believed that I couldn’t because I didn’t have a slim body and I didn’t fit in with other dancers so I stuck with sports because I was strong. When I was a young adult, a coworker invited me to try belly dancing with her and I agreed, knowing I loved to dance, but knew nothing about it. From my very first class, I knew this was something that I could do. There were women of all ages and sizes and they were supportive of each other. After several months of classes and hours practicing at home, I was ready to perform in front of people. Me! But something had changed in me–a confidence had started to grow. Soon I started teaching family for fun, which grew into more classes, workshops, and more teaching opportunities. I loved to dance, I loved to teach, and more importantly, I wanted to create the confidence in others that I had been able to build inside myself. I knew this was something I wanted to do, to build. I started my own school, which eventually merged with another belly dance teacher and together we formed Desert Journey School of Dance. Looking back, now 25 years ago, taking a belly dance class was an amazing transformation in my life. And I continue to push for that transformation with every student I teach. I have seen the power and grace arise in students and they learn and grow. I have witnessed many uncomfortable and insecure students come to class to be welcomed and befriended by other students, and within a few months (sometimes longer, sometimes shorter), these new dancers gain confidence, increase self esteem, and make lifelong friends.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Desert Journey School of Dance is a place to learn all about belly dance, the history and various styles, and dance props, as well as join performing groups for those who are interested. We provide a foundation of traditional belly dance that students can use to branch off and select a path that leads them to the different belly dance styles including Tribal, Cabaret, and other fusions. As students learn and grow, they have the ability to choose a path that interests them, and then switch paths if they want to, and still stay connected with the school. I specialize in teaching Urban Tribal, which is a fusion style of belly dance. In this style we perform a lot of the stronger, more earthy movements, along with floorwork and technical physical isolations. I enjoy Urban Tribal/Tribal Fusion belly dance because it combines the physical strength I pushed for as a child with the beauty and grace of dance into a powerhouse of movement. I am most proud of our dance family that is Desert Journey. We get together as friends as well as dancers and have game nights and potlucks in addition to dance workshops and Haflas (belly dance parties).

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

We live in a world where acceptance can be limited and judgment is high. Many women and some LGBTQ persons come to the studio looking for something. Some want to learn how to dance, some come looking for community or friends, some are looking for exercise or to improve their physical fitness, and some are looking to increase their self esteem, improve their physical self image, and boost confidence. What they receive at Desert Journey is all of these things, as well as a connection to the larger belly dance community across the state and beyond. It is so important for society to support dance and other avenues of movement, creativity, and wellness.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

“Our mission is to develop a community where people of all ages, nationalities, religions, and genders can express themselves through movement by building up and empowering the dancer within through knowledge, friendship and acceptance.” Our goal is to build one another up, creating a safe space for all, and bring encouragement and connection to each individual. It is much more than just teaching a series of moves and steps and putting it together. We want Desert Journey to be an invitation to connect with yourself and with others through dance.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DesertJourney.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertjourneydance/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesertJourney
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@desertjourneyschoolofdance7319

Image Credits
Hirschi Photography Steven Berry Photography