Natasha "Jamra" Krasnow has been dancing for over twenty years and has extensive training in many dance genres. She graduated in 2008 from Mesa State College with a degree in Theatre Arts: Dance and a minor in Anthropology. At Mesa State, Natasha danced on scholarship and was chosen to work with numerous guest choreographers. In her senior year she was chosen the most outstanding modern dancer in the department. Natasha also studied dance at the Univeristy of Kansas and, while there, had opportunities to study with members of prestigious companies of many different dance genres. Natasha received her MA from the University of Bristol, England and studied Flaminco Dance with Alejandra Velasco. Natasha has been teaching dance for fifteen years and has experience teaching and choreographing for all ages in many styles, including creative movement, pre-ballet, tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, Middle Eastern, and Hula. Natasha has participated in countless Middle Eastern Dance master classes over the years with renowned teachers including, but not limited to, Jamila, Calypso, Morocco, Paola Blanton, Tarik Sultan, Phoenix, and Sonia. Natasha has also taken master classes in Bollywood with Meera, Persian with Shahrzad Khorsandi, Flamenco with Sonia, and traditional hand drumming with Carmine Guida.
Mary "Mischala" Krasnow has been a significant presence in Middle Eastern Dance in our Grand Junction community for more than 30 years. Over the years, she has shared the joy of this unique art form with many students and audiences. Mischala teaches classes in “Old Style” Middle Eastern Dance with occasional touches of Tribal, Cabaret, and Fusion movement. She has studied with nationally and internationally renowned dancers, including but not limited to, Paola Blanton of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Morocco of New York City, Suhaila Salimpour of San Francisco, Amaya of Albuquerque, Delilah of Seattle, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Joynan, and Phoenix of Denver, Jamila and Calypso of Salt Lake City, and the extraordinary Aziz. Mischala also has a background in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Polynesian Dance and Anusara Yoga. Mischala and her daughter, Natasha "Jamra" Krasnow, are co-directors of Khubsurat Ruh Middle Eastern Dance Troupe