“Katayoun Hutson is an energetic woman… who welcomes you to her beginner's belly dancing class with such warmth, you begin to wonder if she already knows you.” E. Schneider, Eastern Loudoun Observer, Dec. 2001
Katayoun
~Master Instructor~
Dancer since 1988
Professional Performer since 1998
View Katayoun Hutson's profile
Persian dance medley, Taste of Morocco, Silver Spring, MD. Photo by Roger Wood.
Katayoun, founder and chief instructor of Mosaique Language & Cultural Arts, began studying Classical Egyptian belly dance while competing in a scholarship pageant as a teen. Today, she is best known for her interpretations of Egyptian folklore and the Persian dances of her Iranian heritage.
Master Instructor, Professional Performer
Katayoun is first and foremost a teacher and mentor. Dance is her passion and the vehicle with which she helps her students succeed and enrich their lives through dance and music. She is a respected instructor and accomplished performer with the sought-after qualities of creative artistry and cultural integrity which she weaves seamlessly into her professional standards and teaching ethics. Although she has studied a number of dance styles including Modern, Ballet, and American Tribal, her expertise and current focus is Egyptian Oriental and folkloric dance, and the Persian dances of her Iranian heritage.
Engaging students at every level, her teaching style is fun yet disciplined, making her classes educational and inspiring. A respected member of the Middle Eastern dance community, she is well-known for her authentic and inspiring performances and captivating stage presence. Her expressive dance style is often described as elegant and earthy, powerful yet subtle with perfect musicality and interpretation.
Dance from the Heart benefit, Falls Church, VA. Photos by J. Oosthuizen. Egyptian folklore performance, belly dance hafla, Loudoun County,VA.
In the beginning…
From her early childhood in pre-revolutionary Iran, to coming of age as an Iranian-American amidst the hostage crisis, in adulthood she reconciled her two worlds through music and dance.
“My first experiences with dance and music were in family celebrations and gatherings as a small child in Iran. I have two kinds of memories from those days, one of parties and celebrations, and the other of violence and fear. My family’s decision to leave our homeland when I was eight years old would profoundly change my life. Although by that age, I had traveled to Europe and the United States for short visits, it was quite a different and traumatic experience to begin a new school, a whole new life based on a completely new set of rules and expectations.”
Katayoun, age 5, in Iranian tribal costume (Tehran, Iran) Pondering the dance at a gathering (Tehran, Iran)
Katayoun’s journey in dance began in 1988 at the age of 17 with a generous and kind teacher in Virginia Beach, Virginia by the name of Janeeda Phillips. Janeeda taught and continues to practice the classical Egyptian style of belly dance. Like so many others, Katayoun felt an instant connection to the music and movements. It was also during this time the seeds for her teaching philosophy and performance style were planted.
“I entered a scholarship contest for teen girls, and while the competition was largely based on volunteerism and academic achievement, a two-minute talent presentation was also required. Janeeda choreographed a classy and age-appropriate routine for me and lent me her exquisite authentic costume. On the night of the event she was there in the audience cheering me on. I received a fourth place award for the talent portion (my fans thought I should have placed first :-).”
Although she didn’t know it at the time, dance would become a life-long endeavor, a passion she would pursue through every phase of her life.
Age 17, competing in scholarship competition (Virginia Bch, VA)
The turning point…
Before “belly dance” would capture the imagination of the West in the early 2000’s as the hottest new fitness trend, practitioners of the art would struggle to reconcile the archaic misconception of belly dance as the “dance of seduction.” As a young instructor and new entrepreneur at the turn of the 21st century, Katayoun was personally involved in a high-profile controversy surrounding the dance in a small town when her students were banned from performing in a community celebration.
“It was my first venture into a career while being a full-time mom to my two small children. I had been teaching less than a year and had a small group of dedicated students who were excited about the opportunity to share the joy of dance and music in our debut performance for our neighbors and friends. Well, we didn’t debut that night. I received the call around noon that day from the community center manager, just hours before my students and I were scheduled to perform in the town’s Tree Lighting Celebration.
When she invited us to participate in the festivities two months earlier, she had expressed excitement that I was bringing a taste of different cultures to the community. She was clearly upset as she told me the reason for her call. She said the mayor had banned me and my students from performing because “belly dancing is inappropriate for children.” I was stunned into silence. I had no idea that cultural ignorance and prejudice still existed. It stung badly, and I took it all personally…a direct attack of my cultural heritage from a public official who had never met me, my students or ever seen us perform. For this small town it was newsworthy, inspiring headlines such as 'Belly Dancers, Too Wild!'
I was young and naïve but I learned quickly. Although the incident stirred controversy, the ultimate outcome was much more positive and significant than the incident itself. The experience helped me see my vision and purpose with clarity, and continues to shape and define my educational philosophy and teaching standards. I no longer hold ill feelings toward the mayor or others who may harbor misconceptions about unfamiliar cultures. It is not completely their fault...we are fed so many stereotypes and skewed images in the media. However, it is a choice whether to perpetuate myths and stereotypes or to step up and become more informed about the diverse cultures in our global society."
After performing to a cheering crowd at the popular Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, six months after incident with the mayor of Destin, Fl.
From Obsession to Profession
Katayoun began dancing professionally in 1998 in Northwest Florida, where she formed her first performance troupe, Mystic Mirage, comprised of her most dedicated students. Upon relocating to Northern Virginia in 2000, she began a successful full-time career as an elementary school French teacher at a prestigious private school while maintaining a rigorous schedule of dance training, teaching and performing.
From 2001 – 2005 her former student ensemble, Desert Doves, performed Egyptian folklore, Oriental (belly dance), and Persian dance throughout the Northern Virginia area. Most recently, Katayoun helped form the professional performance group, Troupe Eshveh, Northern Virginia's premiere folklore Middle Eastern dance ensemble.
An entrepreneur and community leader, she is co-founder of Tiraz Dance Network, A Middle Eastern Dance Collaborative, founded by dancers committed to sharing their passion for Middle Eastern Dance through organizing workshops, social events, performance opportunities and resources for the communities of Northern Virginia. Prior to founding Tiraz, she served as a board member and officer for WAMEDA (Washington Area Mid-East Dance Association) for several years.
Between 2001 and 2005 in her role as an event producer, she initiated and coordinated several benefit events which raised over $10,000 for charities, including the high profile campaign, Dance from the Heart for Oxfam’s Tsunami Relief Fund. In addition, Katayoun began a Mentoring Program for dance instructors based on her expertise as a former classroom teacher to encourage teaching standards and breadth of knowledge within the Middle Eastern Dance community.
Performing at belly dance hafla, Purcellville, VA. Photo by Connie Hammond.
Katayoun's newest and most enterprising endeavor is the founding of Mosaïque Language & Cultural Arts, the culmination of her experience as an educator in the classroom, language enthusiast, professional performer, and a mom.
"It is my wish that my students find joy in the movements, inspiration in the music and purity of art in this beautifully rich and spirited dance."
Katayoun continues to study, teach and perform Middle Eastern dance with passion and excellence. She performs for community events, exclusive gatherings and select audiences as a soloist and with Troupe Eshveh. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband of seventeen years and two teenage children.
Katayoun is available to speak and perform at your school, organization or special event.
Learn more about Katayoun's Performances & Presentations.