Belly Dance Is My Life | I'm Karen Barbee Adkisson, The Baby Boomer Belly Dancer
- S1E1
- 31:48
- January 17th 2021
I'm Karen Barbee Adkisson, The Baby Boomer Belly Dancer.
I've been in a dance studio since five years of age; and once upon a time, I worked in the corporate world in information systems for 12 years then finally quit to belly dance full time in 1996.
Welcome to my journey! During this episode you can find out:
00:00 I'm Karen Barbee, The Baby Boomer Belly Dancer
01:19 When I quit the corporate world
03:00 My first belly dance job at 16
03:57 First started teaching belly dance at 18... thanks to my sister
05:19 The bumpy birth of Karavan Studio and being a studio owner
10:22 Success is being invited to the workshop circuit... even overseas
10:54 Public speaking, improvisation to live music, and growth spurts
15:15 How to become a better artist? Dig into the culture and community
17:30 When the National Arab Orchestra came to San Antonio
19:17 Bringing live music and belly dancing together every year
21:57 Bringing fluency to your dance form and appreciation of live music
26:06 The secret to what keeps all of us interested after all these years
29:37 Being a drilling maniac and how it helps your brain
Yep I said that and that oh yeah and THAT. There are moments that I sound like I'm talking to myself 🤪... ask Gylon why his mic was not on (thought he was a tech guru).
With that said, excuse the dust, we are working out the kinks. Enjoy.
Baby Boomer Belly Dancer
From the mind of Karen Barbee Adkisson, with production assistance from Gyon Jackson and Kathy Swanson, we give you the new video podcast: BABY BOOMER BELLY DANCER.
From a lifetime of performing to recorded music to pioneering Project Band, a live music performing experience, Karen discusses the impact belly dance has had on her life over the past 45 plus years.
The stories and experiences that Karen will share are raw, vulnerable, honest and unfiltered ... are you ready?
Join us as Karen's inquisitive mind and unique perspective on a wide array of topics inspire, educate, and even entertain your sensibilities... because everything comes back to belly dance.
Episodes released every Saturday.
A VOD|POD MEDIA PRODUCTION
Meet the Hosts
With over 40 years in her chosen craft of belly dancing, Karavan Studio owner and professional belly dancer, Karen Barbee Adkisson, has been teaching students the art of belly dance techniques for more than 30 years and is dedicated to keeping live music performances as part of this artful cultural dance.
Karen's expertise at the national and international level is technique and professional progression. With an analytical background, her methodical approach to belly dancing integrates movement analysis; breakdown of that movement; and then relating it in a logical fashion to her students.
Karavan Studio in San Antonio, Texas has been home to belly dance training for all ages and fitness levels since 1988. From beginners to the competitive performer, women of all ages learn the art of belly dancing in a structured, culturally respectful environment.
To accommodate busy lifestyles, you can learn how to belly dance using Karen's proven, structured approach whenever and wherever you want online as well as in live private and group settings.
Check out more about Karen Barbee and Karavan Studio:
Baby Boomer Belly Dancer vodcast
Karavan Studio with online and live belly dance options
Your free trial of Karavan Online
Get Karen's Top 20 Philosophies eBook
Find out about Karen's Karavan Online Masterclass