Zoe ~ (ZOH ee~ A feminine Greek name meaning life) ~ Greetings and salutations,
I am a woman in transition.  I grew up and have always lived in the central New Jersey area (down the shore), and was always very shy and soft spoken.  I married young and stayed married for 13 yrs.  After 3 decades of existence, it seemed that I had not yet lived.  I was only an observer, not a participant.  In 2003, I was divorced and was determined to experience
more out of life.  I've chosen the butterfly to symbolize my metamorphosis, as I reinvent myself.  That's when I met Fatin.  She and I had a lot in common and we became fast friends.  She invited me to join the dance troupe she was in (the Daughters of Sophia), which I did.  I learned a lot from our leader, Ashtar, and the other members.  I chose the stage name Yasmin, because I love jasmin and it sounded exotic.  But again, I'm still changing, and with it, I'm changing my name to Zoe. Zoe means "life" in Greek and it is life that I want to experience.  I understand that Zoe is also another name for the first woman.  It was also the name of a Byzantine ruler.  I am a strong woman (not a shrinking flower), and I intend to express that through my dancing.

Fatin and I have decided to bring the emotion and darkness of Gothic influences into our belly dance style.  I hope to convey my sensual nature through our performances.  I hope to meet many of you who are interested in belly dance or are dancers yourselves at future events.  Until then, don't let fear or shyness keep you from enjoying all that life has to offer.  There are no rewind buttons here!  Blessed be!    Zoe