LETTER OF RECOMENDATION
ALI JIHAD RACY,Ph.D.
PROFESSOR OF ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES


To whom it may concern,

With great pleasure I write this letter on behalf of Ms. Dahlena Genova, whom I have known for well over twenty years as a dancer, teacher, and friend. I first met Dahlena in Chicago when she led a dance troupe that specialized in various traditional and popular dance styles. In later years I have seen her perform on a variety of occasions, including work shops, culture events and theater productions in different parts of the country, especially on the West Coast. I would like to stress that Dahlena is truly exceptional.

Dahlena enjoys a distinguished profile in the area of Middle Eastern dance. Having traveled to and performed in several Arab and Middle Eastern countries, as well as in Europe and North America, she is Internationally known and widely admired as a dancer. As a career artist, Dahlena is a master of several genres, the standard "Oriental" dance and folklore dances of various regions of the East-Mediterranean and North Africa. Moreover, having represented the dance culture of the Middle East at its best, she is highly respected for her extensive knowledge about the artistic cultures of the Arab world, knowledge that she has acquired through first hand experience.

As a teacher, she offers a highly disciplined and structured method of instruction that has gained her the respect of dancers and dance students all over the world. I would say, Dahlena is truly a dancers' dancer. Often noted are her superb movement control, rhythmic expertise, her grace, her genuine feel for the tradition, and above all, her phenomenal music sense. Also praised is her creative choreographic mind.

Last but not least, Dahlena is exceptionally sincere and totally devoted to her art. She is a fine performer and human being.

I recommend her very strongly.

With my best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
Ali Jihad Racy, Ph.D.