Teejei discovered bellydance through the videos of Fat Chance Bellydance in 2004, and self-trained till she could grab the nearest class. She began classes with Egyptian style instructor Zarifa of Charlotte NC, and in May of 2005 moved to Atlanta to study Tribal Style Bellydance with Ziah Ali of Awalim.

She joined Awalim in 2006, and continues her study of movement and music through workshops and research. She is proud to have earned her General Skills Certification in 2007 from Carolena Nericcio. Other workshops include Fat Chance Bellydance's Tribal Pura, Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Zoe Jakes, and more. She was also a dancer-chosen finalist for the Bellydance Superstars Embedded Reporter contest, and is on the Hospitality Comittee for the southeast's annual TribalCon.

Teejei is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Medical Illustration, and marries this knowledge of the human systems into her technique. She is a percussionist and studies the doumbek, def, and dhol. With fellow dancer Majda, she promotes basic knowledge of percussion as part of a dancer's study in a workshop, "Drumming for Dancers."

For more information on Teejei's schedule and classes, visit www.awalim.com or email her at missteejei@gmail.com.