Rayya (Melanie L. Estes) Print

RayyaRayya began studying Middle Eastern dance in 1990 and is one of the original members of Desert Moon Dancers. After a break to pursue ballroom dance, she rejoined the troupe in 1998 with renewed zeal. Along with being one of the senior dancers in the troupe, she is also active in theatre. She has performed in "Nunsensations!" with the Laurel Tree Players in New Bedford, MA, as "Sister Mary Leo," the dancing nun, and as "Dora" in "Night Must Fall" with The Players of Providence, RI.

With her ballroom experience, Rayya brings a refinement and joy to the dance. She has a wonderful sense of theatre and expression, and sometimes the music just seems to flow right through her, drawing the audience into the dance.  She also loves trying to sculpt her talents into new forms and is currently experimenting with pop-lock fusion.  Her humorous choreography of "Seaside Rendezvous" is beautiful, funny, and definitely a performance to remember!