Belly dancer has dance fever

Carla Johnson’s joyful belly dancing is shaking loose a lifetime achievement award

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Nov 1, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jaime Valdez / Times Newspapers

Middle Eastern Dance Instructor Carla Johnson adds mystery to a belly dance, above, with the playful use of a silk veil. She shares smiles and laughs with her class of belly dancers at the Cedar Hills Recreation Center.

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Carla Johnson has mesmerized audiences as “Karla” for more than three decades.

As a pillar in the Pacific Northwest belly dance community, she’s also devoted herself to teaching dancers the historical meaning behind every turn of the wrist and swivel of the hips.

Her dedication and passion for the art has earned her the prestigious 2007 Double Crown Belly Dance Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor that her students and fellow performers say is a fitting tribute to their mentor.

“This is a huge honor and we are so proud of her,” said Jodi Traister of Beaverton, who has been belly dancing with Johnson for more than eight years. “The whole audience was in tears.”

Colleen VanWinkle, who started dancing with Karla in 1978 and who has served as her assistant for the past decade, agreed.

“I think this is a well-deserved award,” VanWinkle said. “She helped establish Portland as a resource for dancers.

“Many world renowned belly dancers started with Karla as a teacher. She has a way with working with each person to develop their own style and find their joy of the dance.

“It always feels like Karla has time to help you.”

J ohnson began teaching Middle Eastern belly dancing 33 years ago at Portland Community College after the departure of her instructor, Elene Sarenta from Greece.

She taught several courses at PCC’s Rock Creek and Sylvania campuses for 15 years.

For the past 18 years, she has led beginning and intermediate belly dance classes Tuesday night’s at the Cedar Hills Recreation Center in addition to offering professional and semi-professional lessons on request, and coaching dancers for competitions.

She also performs at events across the region with her Gypsy Mystique dance troupe and sister troupe, Peacock’s Eye.

“Karla has taught me a lot about performing and has pushed me to where I need to be,” said Tanya Nichols of Cedar Mill, who teaches tribal dance and assists Johnson in the Tuesday belly dance classes. “She’s my friend, my mentor and my teacher.”

Valerie Valenza of Beaverton, who performs solo work and dances in both dance troupes, said that Johnson works to make every dance session a welcoming environment to “wiggle and giggle.”

“I was shy when I first started coming six years ago,” Valenza said. “She makes you break out of your shell.

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