Cybele Musicians

Dragonia

Dragonia began her music education in the 5^th grade.  She played the clarinet throughout Jr. High and High School in concert and marching band as well as playing the alto sax in the jazz band for 5 years. Other performance experiences include playing in the Six Flags Employees Band and the Dallas Tornado Soccer Band. 

She began belly dancing when she was 16 and bought her first drum 2 years later.

After a lengthy hiatus from dance and music to help her children in their dancing and musical pursuits, she picked up where she left off.  Only this time, she was able to bring the two loves together – belly dancing and music. 

Dragonia has been taking dance lessons at Crescent Moon Belly Dance Studio since 2004 and began taking drum lessons at Isis Studio in 2005.  She played drums at Scarborough Faire at the Belly Dance Treasures Stage for two years and numerous studio haflas and stage shows. 

A little over a year ago she dusted off the old clarinet and has been playing Middle Eastern music ever since.  Creating beautiful sounds like never before, Middle Eastern music allows for a freedom in playing she had never experienced.

Dragonia has continued her musical education by taking from instrumental and doumbek maestros such as Jamal Mohamed, Susu Pampanin and Issam Houshan.

A special thank you goes out to Melissa Murphy. If it weren't for your mentoring and music, the clarinet would still be under the bed collecting dust!

Esmeray

Esmeray was introduced to Belly Dancing and its music at Scarborough Faire by Isis and The Star Dancers.  From June of 1996 to August 2006 Esmeray was a member of Isis and The Star Dancers. 

In February of 2001 she began taking doumbek classes from Ahmed at Isis' Star Dancer Studio.  In June of 2002 after drumming at Scarborough Faire on the Belly Dance Treasures stage, Isis gave her the opportunity to become an instructor. 

Esmeray was an instructor at The Isis Star Dancer Studio through July 2006. 

Esmeray has been fortunate to attend classes and workshops by

Jamal Mohhamed

Susu Pampanin

Issam Houshan

Reda Darwish

Sean Le Blanc of Wind and Fingers

Radu

Esmeray currently teaches onoing Doumbek classes at Miabella's Crescent Moon Belly Dance Studio. 

In addition, Esmeray is a former board member of North Texas Middle Eastern Dance Association (NTMEDA) and was one of the instructors featured at the 2008 and 2009 Cheap Thrills Workshops.

Along with her music partner Dragonia they perform as the group Cybele Musicians.  The Venues that they have performed are, Ya Halla Y'all, Kismet, Junefest, Dare to Dream and Crescent Moon Studio's Christmas Hafla's, Middle Faire, Mansfield Pecan Festival, Byblos in Fort Worth Texas, Worldfest in Addison, Texas as well as various private parties.

Esmeray is available for private lessons and workshops.