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About Istanbul




Istanbul is a group of talented musicians and dancers dedicated to bringing the joy of Middle Eastern music and dance to the Boise area. We have been making music together since 2007 and it just keeps getting better! Come and see us at our upcoming events, also take a look at some of the great pictures from past events.


Istanbul Performers Istanbul Drummers


Members



  

    Katisha Katisha Dancing at Moon's Cafe
  

  Trisha Kruse, "Katisha", has been dancing since she was five. Starting with ballet and going to jazz, 
  tap, Latin, figure skating and gymnastics. But belly dance is her true passion. The band "Istanbul", 
  named after her birthplace, came into being as way to bring live music and dance together.  Self taught
  in doumbek, she has been both teacher and student of the other members of Istanbul.  Together they have 
  formed a creative force with their combined talents and love for sharing music and dance.





 



  

    Amani - Amanda Neis Amani
  

  Rhythm and movement have always had a big presence in Amani's life beginning with ballet and 
  violin lessons at the age of 2. By the time she was 8 Amani had been exposed to various forms of music 
  and dance and at that time auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera children's chorus. After being accepted 
  she spent 3 years performing at the Met and continued on to sing at Carnegie Hall, St Patricks Cathedral 
  and even on the Today Show! Amani continued to sing through high school and spent her spare time dancing 
  salsa, bachata and merengue. In 2006 a friend asked Amani to take a Belly Dancing class with Sidonia Om Dunia 
  and Amani was hooked. She joined the Sakinah dance troupe through which she met Katisha and experienced 
  Arabic drumming for the first time. Amani bought her first Doumbek and has been performing with Istanbul 
  ever since.









  

    Rasha - Fawn Pettet Rasha
  

  Rasha has always loved dance, forcing her younger brother to pretend to couples' ice skate with her 
  on their carpeted living room floor when they were young. Rasha began Latin dance instruction in Guatemala 
  in 2006, and has begun to include ballroom and swing in her practice. Rasha was first introduced to live 
  music and dance in Boise through Failla Drums in the Summer of 2009. She joined Istanbul later that Fall, 
  and is now practicing under the guidance of Istanbul dancers, Katisha and Amani.









  
Rashid - Randy Merryman Sweet flute playing by Rashid
  

  Randy Merryman, "Rashid", was first introduced to flute playing and drumming at the Hyde Park Street Fair.  
  Drum Central and Carolyn Failla got him started playing African percussion and became a "regular" with 
  Drum Central. At next Hyde Park event he met Katisha and got hooked on Middle Eastern percussion.  
  His flute playing, all self taught, evolved along with the creation of the Middle Eastern band "Istanbul".  
  He now plays a variety of percussions instruments and several different types of flutes for Istanbul.  
  "It is a great joy to make music for the beautiful dancers or Istanbul, my heart soars with the tones of 
  the flute and the rhythm of the Doumbek as I watch them move".









  
Badra - Betsy Bearden Badra
  

  Betsy Bearden, "Badra", came to Istanbul by way of belly dancing, but loves both. At 10 she started
  piano lessons, then moved on to flute, piccolo, and guitar. She's been in many bands and choirs, 
  including a decade with the Academy of St. Cecilia, a Renaissance/Baroque trio, and has recently 
  joined the Les Bois Recorder Society. She plays darbuka, riq, and finger cymbals with Istanbul and 
  hope to incorporate the duff, a large frame drum with metal circles and bells mounted inside. 
  She says, "Istanbul has been a lifesaver for me, a source of comfort and fun. These are wonderful 
  people and I hope to go on drumming with them for years to come."









  
Wadir - Matthew Wadir
  

   Matthew, "Wadir", Wadir's interest in dance and movement began at the age of eight when he decided
  he was actually a cat and not a little boy. He spent his entire youth stalking family members and drinking
  out of a saucer on the kitchen floor. As he matured he converted to the study of traditional martial arts 
  and gymnastics. The culmination of whcih led to dance, most specifically ballroom, then Latin, and finally
  belly dance Now Wadir is one of the star performers of Istanbul.









Upcoming events



Past Events




Other sites of interest




Contact Katisha at 208-695-3937 for booking and class info.