Today we’d like to introduce you to Neenah Crocker.
Hi Neenah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
1. Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
My journey began in 1976 in San Antonio, when I made all-state on the alto saxophone in high school and then played in the jazz band at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Music was my first passion, and those early experiences shaped my appreciation for rhythm and melody. As I entered college, my fascination with chemistry grew alongside my love for music. I pursued a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UTSA, where I met my future husband in a biochemistry class. Our shared curiosity and drive brought us together, and after graduating in 1980, we got married.
Shortly after, my husband completed his Master’s Degree in Marine Biology at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute and accepted a position with the EPA in Dallas. Meanwhile, I started my professional career as a chemist at Frito Lay in Irving, Texas, applying the analytical skills I had developed during my studies. Even as I immersed myself in science, my passion for music never faded—it evolved. I found myself drawn to belly dancing, a vibrant art form that blended unique rhythms and melodies so different from the American and Latin music I had grown up with and played in school.
During the early 1980s, I studied belly dancing with Angelika, a renowned Dallas performer featured at the Greek Key in the 1970s and 1980s. Under her guidance, I began to see how my passion in chemistry, music, and dance were deeply interconnected. The discipline and precision I valued in chemistry helped me master dance techniques, while my musical background allowed me to appreciate the intricate patterns and beats in belly dancing.
Each step in my journey—from academic achievements and career milestones to personal discoveries—was influenced by these passions. They weren’t just separate pursuits; together, they fostered my personal growth, creative expression, and professional resilience. Looking back, I see how music, science, and dance have continually shaped who I am and the path I have chosen.
After our first daughter was born in 1984, life took on a new rhythm. One centered around family but filled with a quiet determination to keep growing personally and professionally. Choosing to step away from my full-time job wasn’t an easy decision, but it felt right to invest those early years into nurturing our daughter. I promised myself that while caring for my family, I wouldn’t set aside my dreams. Instead, I used those precious moments at home as an opportunity to pursue my education and deepen my love for dance.
The support of my husband during this time was invaluable. Our partnership became a dance of its own, each of us stepping in to lift the other up as we balanced late-night study sessions, childcare, and my growing list of performance gigs. Night after night, he took on bedtime stories and lullabies so I could attend MBA classes at UT Arlington or slip away to perform, fueling a sense of gratitude and teamwork that would echo throughout our marriage and careers.
When our family expanded with two more daughters in 1985 and 1987, the whirlwind only intensified. The days blurred into a tapestry of toddler giggles, academic deadlines, and hours spent perfecting isolations and shimmies in our living room. Motherhood taught me patience, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that enriched my dance practice and kept me striving for improvement, even when exhaustion threatened to steal my drive.
Returning to the stage in 1988 felt like a homecoming. That’s when I met Zeyna, a dancer whose artistry and floor word stirred something deep in me. Under her mentorship, I discovered not just new techniques and histories, but also the magic of commanding an audience, the thrill of rolling quarters and pouring shots with the strength of my belly muscles, and the pride in carrying on a storied tradition. I constantly strived to refine my skills and perfect my act. Even with the nerves and excitement, I was having fun and living my dream.
Balancing my MBA studies with motherhood and dance was a challenge unlike any other, but those long nights spent crafting a business plan for belly dancing entertainment in one of my classes became a turning point. Encouraged by my husband, I realized I could weave all these threads together—a mother’s resourcefulness, an MBA’s discipline, a dancer’s passion—into a venture uniquely my own. When I started belly dancing lessons, most of the training was private classes with a professional belly dancer and gigs were from big entertainment companies that booked all kinds of entertainers. I wanted to get more involved with belly dancing, so in 1988, I took the leap and founded Authentic Belly Dancing Entertainment and Academy. I applied every marketing, accounting, and tax lesson I had learned. I also dealt with a lot of unbelievable criticism from other belly dancers, but I drew strength from the support system at home. I was the first belly dancing company to have a web-site and we were dancing almost every night in restaurants (Goldfinger, Cafe Istanbul, Marrakesh, Stratos, and others) and events.
The years that followed were a kaleidoscope of progress and pride. After earning my MBA in 1992, it felt like stepping through a kaleidoscope—each turn revealing new colors of progress, pride, and growth. My first leap was in finance when I joined a local bank as an accountant in 1993. It was my official entry into the corporate world, and I remember the nerves of my first audit presentation, heart pounding in rhythm with the numbers on the screen. Within two years, my curiosity and drive led me to a role as a tax auditor at the IRS in 1995. There, I learned to navigate complex regulations and discovered the power of clear communication—skills that would become foundational. In 1998, I transitioned to KPMG as a senior tax accountant. That move was daunting; I was juggling motherhood, pursuing my CPA certification, and moonlighting as a dancer in the evenings. One particular memory stands out: I was teaching a group of novice dancers how to synchronize their movements for a troupe performance. The challenge was intense—everyone had different learning styles and comfort levels. To bring them together, I broke down each sequence, encouraged open dialogue, and fostered trust. That experience directly shaped my approach to working with and leading diverse teams at KPMG. I realized that, just like in dance, building a successful team required patience, empathy, and adaptability—qualities I brought to the boardroom.
By 2001, after years of balancing work, family, and my dance business, I earned a Master’s in Tax Science and landed at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), where I became Assistant Director of the Financial Management Assurance team. The transition was exhilarating but also exhausting. I often found myself working late into the night, preparing detailed reports, and then waking up early to help my daughters with school work or rehearse dance routines. Financial deadlines and creative performances blurred together, but each domain informed the other: teaching choreography enhanced my communication skills as a leader, and reading the mood in a dance class improved my ability to read a room full of executives.
One of the most emotional milestones arrived in 2006, when my dance troupe—women I had trained and mentored—competed in the Alan Cairo International “Queen Raks Sharki” Troupe competition. The weeks leading up to the event were filled with nervous laughter, late-night rehearsals, and the echo of music spilling into the hallways of our practice space. On stage, the heat of the lights, the shimmer of costuming, and the pulse of the drums sent adrenaline coursing through my veins. We moved as one, every step and veil toss a testament to hours of practice and shared dreams. When the judges—legendary Egyptian dancers like Nagwa Fouad and Dr. Mo—announced us as first place winners, the roar of applause was overwhelming. Tears welled in my eyes; the pride was indescribable, a mix of joy, relief, and profound gratitude for the journey that brought us there. I will never forget the power of that moment, the hugs, the laughter, and the knowledge that we had created something beautiful together.
Looking back, every challenge and triumph was shaped by the integration of family, education, professional ambition, and dance. Raising three daughters while earning advanced degrees and building a business taught me that the lessons of one arena inevitably spill into another. Teamwork in my troupe honed my leadership at work; resilience learned in the classroom fueled perseverance on stage; the emotional intelligence required as a mother made me a more empathetic mentor and colleague. Every challenge and role stretched me. The discipline of dance shaped my work ethic, while the creativity of choreography made me a more innovative leader. Each setback became a lesson in adaptability, and every success a reminder to celebrate the journey. What began as a passion for music and movement grew into a fulfilling career—woven together by persistence, curiosity, and the drive to keep learning.
Now, as our daughters pursue their own advanced degrees, careers, and families, and as my dance business continues to evolve in a fast-changing world, I am deeply grateful. Currently, I have a new troupe, “The Dallas Harem Jewels”, who have trained and participated in many events as part of their training with me or without me. They are a fun-loving team with a lot of energy, savvy about social media, diverse in background, curious and so eager to learn about the beautiful art of belly dancing. We perform at fundraisers, city festivals, nursing homes, grand openings, private parties, and for celebrities—using our art to bring joy and build community. The journey has been anything but linear, but by embracing every role—with heart, curiosity, and determination—I’ve found fulfillment and lasting joy in the dance of life itself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am now was anything but smooth—it was a winding path marked by tough decisions, sacrifices, and moments of uncertainty. When our first daughter was born in 1984, we tried placing her in day care, but after only a few days, it became clear that my heart wasn’t in it. That’s when my husband and I made the life-changing decision for me to resign from my career at Frito-Lay. I took an 11-year break from my professional life to focus on raising my daughters and being present during those formative years. It was a tremendous sacrifice—one that meant putting aside not just my earnings, but my ambitions and the sense of identity tied to my career.
There were times when finances were tight—truly, we were “dirt poor” in those days living paycheck to paycheck and constantly dipping in the red. I remember clipping coupons, stretching every dollar, and sometimes wondering how we’d make ends meet. It wasn’t just about money; there were nights when doubts crept in. Had I made the right choice to leave my job? Would I ever find my way back to the professional world I’d worked so hard to join? Despite these worries, I found real excitement and fulfillment in being part of my children’s daily lives, witnessing every milestone firsthand.
During this period, I didn’t stop growing. While nurturing my family, I also advanced my education—attending MBA classes at UT Arlington late into the night and immersing myself more deeply in the world of dance. This dual pursuit became a lifeline, allowing me to keep my passions alive even as I put my career on hold. There were seasons when the balance tipped in the other direction, too. When I returned to work, I sometimes had to pause my dance commitments to focus on the demands of my job and family life.
During my years at the IRS and KPMG, I faced imposter syndrome—wondering if I truly belonged among seasoned professionals. There were days when balancing three daughters, CPA exams, and dance gigs seemed impossible. One winter, after missing a key award ceremony for my eldest due to a work deadline, I questioned whether I was spreading myself too thin. But I learned to prioritize, delegate, and forgive myself for imperfections.
My life was a constant dance—shifting between career, creative passion, motherhood and grandmotherhood. Each role brought its own set of struggles and rewards. But as the years passed, we worked together as a family, and gradually, things became more comfortable. The hardships we faced early on taught us resilience and the value of teamwork. Looking back over more than 45 years of marriage, I’m proud of how we navigated through those lean times. Today, we are in a better place – settled, successful, recently retired from GAO, and deeply grateful for the journey that shaped us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
3. Please select one of the questions from below and tell us more about your professional life and career: Artist / Creative
3.a. What do you do and what do you specialize in?
I am the owner of Authentic Belly Dancing Entertainment and Academy and the Director of The Dallas Harem Jewels troupe. I specialize in Belly Dancing Entertainment and teaching.
3.b. What are you recognized (known) for?
I am known as “Queen of Quarters” and pouring shots using my belly muscles. I am coined as Dallas’ Festive and Fun Belly dancer. I am also known for balancing a sword on my chin while performing floor work. Finally, clients like working with me because they know that I get things done and always in a positive light.
3.c. What are you most proud of?
I am deeply proud of my family, whose unwavering love, encouragement, and support have been the guiding light behind everything I do. Their belief in me gave my journey purpose and inspiration, especially during times when challenges felt overwhelming. That same spirit of togetherness extends to our dedicated troupe members, who embody discipline, teamwork, and empathy both within our group and across the academy. Their commitment to practicing, uplifting one another, and striving for excellence has truly made our troupe a Texas favorite. We have been on television shows, danced for celebrities, and continue to paint the town with our belly dancing excitement.
I still remember preparing for the 2018 Ms. Mature Irving Pageant—my family and dancers rallied around me, helping design my costume and rehearsing late into the night, cheering me on every step of the way. On stage, I performed a daring sword routine to the James Bond theme “Die Another Day,” balancing a sword while executing intricate floor work. This act demanded not only physical strength and precision but also composure under pressure, setting my performance apart with its blend of artistry and risk. Being crowned Ms. Mature Irving was a tremendous honor, but receiving the Ms. Congeniality Award meant even more; it recognized the kindness, camaraderie, and positivity I brought to the pageant community, reflecting the values my family and troupe instilled in me. This experience taught me that true strength lies not just in skill, but in the support we offer one another. It reminded me to lead with kindness and encourage others to pursue their passions.
Through every achievement, big or small, it’s the bonds we share and the support we give each other that make the journey truly meaningful. Just as my family and troupe have been central to my pageant journey, their influence continues to shine in other milestones of my life. At my daughter’s wedding in Italy, she asked me to teach her future mother-in-law a belly dancing routine to “Hips Don’t Lie” so that we could perform it at the celebration. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and laughter as we practiced together, sharing cultural traditions and creating joyful memories. The reception hall buzzed with anticipation, and when we danced, the audience’s enthusiastic applause and smiling faces made my heart swell with pride. It was a moment of connection across generations and cultures—a true testament to the joy that dance brings and the lasting bonds we create through shared experiences. I was so proud that our performance was a big hit, turning the evening into a cherished memory for everyone present.
3.d. What distinguishes us from others?
What distinguishes us from others is our seamless fusion of classical Middle Eastern belly dance techniques with fresh, contemporary styles, resulting in performances that captivate both devoted enthusiasts and first-time audiences. For example, at a recent corporate gala, we collaborated closely with the client to craft a show that reflected their international workforce—incorporating vibrant Bollywood and Salsa-inspired choreography alongside traditional drum solos and sword balancing, which delighted guests and encouraged lively audience participation on the dance floor. Our roster includes award-winning dancers and certified instructors who have performed and taught internationally, bringing a wealth of experience and unique skills—from precision prop work with wings and candle trays to expertise in teaching all ages and abilities in multiple cultural settings. Each member of our team is dedicated to delivering not only authentic artistry but also a truly interactive and memorable experience, tailored to each event’s vision. We warmly invite all to discover the excitement and elegance of belly dancing with us to create unforgettable memories together.
3.e. What makes us unique?
We are passionate about sharing the beauty and elegance of belly dancing with audiences everywhere, inviting everyone to join an exciting and wonderful journey. Our troupe is renowned as a 5-Star entertainment company with awesome choreography and fusion styles that blend traditional Middle Eastern dance with contemporary influences. Our choreography fuses elements of jazz, hip-hop, and Latin dance with classical belly dance techniques, creating dynamic performances that captivate modern audiences while honoring tradition. This unique fusion enhances each show, making it both authentic and innovative, and ensures our performances remain vivid and memorable.
Whether it’s at events, weddings, birthdays, grand openings, cultural gatherings, television shows, corporate functions, nursing homes, festivals, classes, workshops, or restaurants, our skilled and sophisticated belly dancers bring a blend of intelligence, strength, and charm, creating truly unforgettable experiences for all ages. Our focus is on providing glamorous entertainment that’s enjoyable for everyone, inviting everyone to join in with the excitement and celebration. Working closely with clients, our belly dancers tailor each performance for maximum impact. The dazzling show features a variety of incredible movements, enhanced with wings, fan veils, swords, candle trays, audience participation, and much more. For example, at a recent wedding, our interactive performance had guests of all ages dancing together, creating joyful memories that lasted long after the celebration. Such moments highlight our commitment to making each event special and memorable, reinforcing our welcoming message throughout.
For our classes and workshops, our experienced performers and instructors ensure every session offers genuine and expert belly dance instruction in an inclusive and welcoming environment, inviting everyone to join the joy of movement and culture. Our teaching approach emphasizes personal growth and cultural appreciation, using tailored lesson plans and supportive feedback to help every participant feel confident and inspired. We structure our classes to foster inclusivity and expertise, introducing special techniques that encourage both beginners and advanced dancers to thrive and connect. By welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds, we make our troupe accessible and appealing to a wide audience, creating joyful memories and a lasting sense of community.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up as the oldest of five children in San Antonio, Texas, I developed a passion for music early on. All five of us played in the band in High School, which was a great adventure for us. I played the alto saxophone and my dedication to the alto saxophone paid off when I earned all-state honors in 1976. Music was more than just a hobby, it instilled in me discipline, persistence, and artistic creativity. These qualities laid a strong foundation for my future endeavors. On the weekends, we had big family gatherings with barbecues, music, and dancing.
As a teenager, alongside my love for music, I became fascinated by food science, which sparked my curiosity and desire to learn. My interest evolved, ultimately leading me to a career in chemistry, and later, a pivot into an accounting career as a CPA, where I found new opportunities for growth and challenge.
I loved helping my brothers and sisters practice and do homework. I also loved mentoring others. Later in my career as a CPA, I was honored with the Staff Professional Development Award many times for guiding junior accountants through their first major audit project. I have proudly helped dancers progress to become professionals themselves, including leading our troupe to a first-place victory in competition.
Throughout all these stages of my life, family has remained my anchor. I treasure the experiences I’ve shared with my daughters in Canada, Italy, and Dallas, where they now live. Maintaining strong and healthy relationships with my three daughters and four granddaughters is an essential part of my life, and their support has fueled my personal and professional growth every step of the way.
Looking back, I see a tapestry woven from discipline, curiosity, and connection. Each role—musician, scientist, CPA accountant, dancer, mentor, parent, grandparent—has added texture and meaning to my life. Every challenge met, every hand-held, and every celebration shared has taught me gratitude and growth. The path may have twisted, but each turn was essential, leading me to a life filled with purpose, joy, and lasting relationships
Pricing:
- Classes are $50/Month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dallasbellydancing.com and www.belly-dancing.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authenticbellydancing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticBellyDance
- Twitter: https://x.com/BellyNeena97746
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AuthenticBellyDance
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/authentic-belly-dancing-entertainment
- Other: www.gigsalad.com/authentic_belly_dancing_entertainment_harem_jewels | www.thebash.com/belly-dancer/neenah | www.partypop.com/vendor/Authentic-Belly-Dan
Image Credits
The group photos are the Dallas Harem Jewels (Neenah, Lulu, Aisha, Zeyna, Aadah)
