biography

As a professional costumer, Rukshana was fortunate to spend a number of years working with both Tutu Etoile and Ballet Arizona where she refined her dancewear construction skills and observed the designs of others. She also spent several years working as a bra fitter for a major department store and received training from manufacturers as to what a correctly fitted garment should look like on a variety of body types. All this experience goes into her belly dance costume design and construction. As a theatrical designer she has designed a wide variety of productions—plays and musicals as well as numerous children’s theatre productions. Her theatrical and dance experience culminated into the creation of Rukshana Raks! in 2008. Select ready-to-wear items are currently available through www.shimmybliss.com on line and through Plaza de Anaya's store front in Tempe,AZ (www.plazadeanaya.com). Rukshana creates custom costumes for individuals and troupes, does alterations, and complete costume refurbishment. She also teaches a variety of construction workshops including but not limited to Bra and Belt Construction (class typically meets 4 weeks for a total of 10 hours of instruction) and Low Water Immersion Dyeing for Silk Veils (a ‘make and take’ 2 hour class).

Rukshana began belly dancing in 2002. Belly dance was supposed to take her away from her day job as a freelance theatrical costume designer. Her belly dance costuming experience started with her first recital when buying a costume was not a possibility (at almost 5’11”, skirts are never long enough and a costly beaded bra and belt was not an option). She dances American Cabaret and Fusion styles. Rukshana dances regularly at Tandoori Times I and II (www.tandooritimes.com) on Friday and Saturday evenings. She is also a founding member of the Dojo Girls, a Tribaret belly dance troupe. Additionally, she teaches workshops in Prop Balancing (sword and tray) and has taught a mixed level belly dance class for Phoenix Parks and Recreation and teaches both private and group lessons.

Performance Videos
Rukshana 'Barbie' Alternative Wiggles of the West 2010
http://www.youtube.com/user/Alisonroad#p/u/4/A5XaJzFBcvM

Rukshana Grind Coffee House Cedar City, UT July 2009
http://www.youtube.com/user/rukshanaraks?feature=mhee

Dojo Girls Sword Dance Video2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGr3dRuqV0w

Dojo Girls Fan Dance Video 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rK2BUZ3Uwo

Dojo Girls Bollywood/Bhangra Teaser Video 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LubxuE7SorE 

Rukshana



Belly Dance Performer
&
Instructor