Meet Elizabeth Muise | Professional Bellydancer and Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Muise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I believe that we are confronted with that choice every day. I always choose to keep going! This is how I think about it: If you love it- then never give up! If you have fallen out of love with your art, or it is no longer serving you, then it is time for some reflection. Now that being said, our passions and creative pursuits can take different forms and space in our lives over the years. At times, it is in the forefront of our time and attention, and other times it exists in the background. And so sometimes that means taking a little break or resting- and that is OK! In my life as a performer and teacher, sometimes I need time to take classes and do other things where I find enrichment like go to performances and museums. All of these things help me to find fresh inspiration and motivation in my work. I have learned over the years, that if you just keep working towards your dreams with clear intention, you will reach them!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am a professional bellydancer and I primarily perform at renaissance festivals across the country with my band Boom Boom Shake! We are a middle eastern/ world fusion band that features bellydance. I also teach bellydance and yoga classes online as I tour the US and I am usually in another part of the country every 6-8 weeks. I am really proud of what my husband Shane and I have created with our band, and that we have taken it from a modern show that used to do club tours occasionally, to a full-time renaissance faire act.
I have worked really hard to be where I am today, and I am also so grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have led me here. Here’s a little bit of my story: I had just begun bellydancing professionally  when my friend Deidra suggested that I apply to perform at the New York Renaissance Festival. I applied and I got in! Thank you Deidra, because working at that festival in the bellydance show has forever changed my life. I started working at the NY Renaissance Festival in 2009, and learned so much from the director of the show, Veldrina, who I consider to have been a mentor to me at that time. In 2013, after working at the NY show for several years my husband Shane and I were then offered the opportunity to tour renaissance festivals full time with the band Cu Dubh, and had the time of our lives. After some time off from performing at renaissance festivals, in 2021 Shane and I wanted to bring our music and dance project Boom Boom Shake to life full time- and here we are! We have been so blessed and I am so thankful for the friends, fans, and fellow entertainers that have helped us along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

If a friend was visiting I would recommend that they experience the following:

Things to do:
Go to The Colorado Burlesque Festival.
Spend a few hours at The Nature and Science Museum.
Check out a show at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, or just go during the day and enjoy the park!
Take a day trip to Estes Park which is home to the famous Stanley Hotel and is also right near Rocky Mountain National park.
Enjoy a day at The Colorado Renaissance Festival.

Places to eat and drink:
The Brutal Poodle
The Old Man Bar (Broomfield)
Comrade Brewery
The Post Chicken and Beer

Amazing people to meet:
Liz Azi is my dance partner here at the Colorado Renaissance Festival. She is a sublime bellydancer and a wonderful friend. She performs locally and internationally, and is overall pretty rad. If you get the opportunity to see her perform- do it!
Sadie Marquardt is an internationally renowned bellydance performer and instructor. I had the pleasure of taking a dance lesson with her (which was on of the highlights of my trip!) and she is an amazing teacher. She teaches locally and online!
David Hinojosa owns Rabbit Hole Studios in Broomfield, which is a beautiful music recording studio. He is an awesome middle eastern percussionist as well.
Last but not least-Bill Seidenzahl and Victoria Carlson. They are the coolest people I know and used to be performers in the sideshow group Honor Amongst Thieves!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents Greg and Carol Muise! They have always supported my artistic pursuits (voice lessons, drama club, dance class and everything else that I tried when I was a youth) and that has definitely shaped who I am today. They continue to support me in all that I do, and encourage me to keep going when times get tough. I have learned creative thinking and problem-solving skills from my father and strength and resilience from my mother. I wouldn’t be where I am today in life without their love and support.

Website: www.boomboomshake.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethmuise/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Boom-Boom-Shake/100063712740252/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sranger80

Other: You can find me on TikTok under @elizabethmuise

Image Credits
J. Ferrara Photography Inc