Lilla's love of Middle Eastern dance, along with her training and perhaps her smattering of Arabian ancestry combine to make her an authentic, refined belly dancer. Lilla's modern Egyptian style is elegant and fluid. Her stage presence is charismatic, joyful and inspired. Her bellydance classes are energetic and uplifting.

Lilla Varese has been dancing and performing since the age of five, but began to devote all of her energy to Middle Eastern dance starting in 1992, when she began dancing with the Neri Senti Dance and Magic Troupe. While continuing to perform with the Neri Senti in venues all over California, Lilla backtracked and began to study intensively with some of Southern California's most illustrious instructors as well as taking numerous workshops with visiting international luminaries, striving to develop and perfect her personal style as an Oriental dancer. In 1993 Lilla also began to perform regularly with Angelika's Arabian Dance Ensemble, and in 1996 became a member of Sahra Kent's Ya Amar dance company.

Starting in 1994 Lilla began to enjoy a burgeoning career as a soloist, appearing regularly in venues such as Hassan's Lebanese Cafe and Marrakesh restaurant, Newport Beach, and the Aegean Cafe in Laguna Beach. Lilla was a regular dancer at the Caspian Persian restaurant in Irvine from 1995 to 2004. www.caspianrestaurant.com.

Lilla has performed in numerous dance concerts, festivals, and special events throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties, ranging from Middle Eastern cultural events to a wrap party for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In May 2004 Lilla was a featured soloist in "Bellydance Rocks" at the West Valley Playhouse in Los Angeles produced by IAMED (International Association of Middle Eastern Dance) and appears on the internationally distributed DVD of the show.

Lilla is proficient with finger cymbals, as well as a variety of props including veil, cane, and Isis wings. Lilla has also studied a variety of other Middle Eastern dance styles including folkloric Egyptian, Persian, Turkish and gypsy/tribal, as well as in flamenco and classical Indian dance. Her breadth of experience makes her an eclectic, versatile and polished performer.

Lilla also has numerous other talents, including writing and costume making. She is currently a staff writer for Jareeda magazine.

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