Norma

Meet Norma, Helena’s and Katayna’s student and friend, and the pen behind much of the written material found on Helena’s website.

Norma grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and spent her early adulthood there. Born to an artistically gifted but humbly inclined blue-collar family, she was immersed in exploration of the arts from childhood on. Norma’s visual arts training during her formative years included lots of self-directed practice in drawing and illustration, plus painting and sculpture in various media. She started dance classes in ballet and jazz at age 10, and continued through age 13. Additional early arts training included studies in piano, organ, water ballet and baton. Having a mother who was a village seamstress, Norma began to acquire skill in the needle arts as soon as she was able to walk and talk, and perfected embroidery techniques under the tutelage of her Edwardian-era grandmother. At the age of 10, she made and wore her own complete Easter outfit.

An avid reader by nature, she also began to produce illustrative writing of markedly good quality as early as fourth grade. Additionally, keen interests in nature study, mysticism, mythology, and cross-cultural anthropology emerged during her childhood; these pursuits have developed into passionate avocations to which she continues to devote much time and energy.

As a teen, Norma continued her schooling in art, and won many awards in her high school years. She studied basic watercolor with Alice Welsh Jenkins of Studio 219 in Kingston, plus ballet with Alexei Yudenich and art history with Sister Elaine Tulanowski, both at College Misericordia. A combination of factors led Norma away from pursuing post-secondary academic studies in the arts. First, parental support was lacking, her mother and father insisting that she should find a husband, and “not pursue taking paying jobs away from men”. (To the feminists who’re cringing right now…yes, this is unforgiveable in today’s context, but in a blue-collar white bread backwater in the late 1970’s, it was still a fairly common attitude. Although Norma entertained bitterness for some years about this, she has long ago forgiven and released the situation, looking forward to the lifelong pursuit of learning, instead of just the few post-secondary years many people settle for. All has turned out well in the end.) Next, after enrolling in commercial art at Luzerne County Community College, her lack of suitable mentoring made the academic discipline seem restrictive, unfamiliarly frightening, and uncomfortable.

In her late 20's Norma spent 6 1/2 years working as a corporate graphic artist for golf apparel vendor Aureus, now defunct. Working in commercial art proved unappealing to her as a lifelong career, so when the company went under in 1994, she didn't pursue further employment in the field.

In December of 1999, Norma decided to follow her dreams and her heart. Having become involved in the hobby of selling vintage clothing and costume on the internet phenomenon, eBay, Norma realized that by selling a combination of her personal excess possessions and vintage goods, she could raise enough capital to cross the country and start over. In just two months, the money materialized. Packing everything into a U-haul she moved to her location of choice: Phoenix, Arizona. After spending two years working in retail to help establish her base in Phoenix, Norma left the workplace to pursue her avocations in art, writing, mysticism and collecting and selling (as a hobby) antiques and vintage clothing.

Norma met Helena Vlahos in 2000, in a serendipitous encounter at a belly dance swap meet hosted by the wonderful teacher/performer Yasmina of Mesa. Norma had begun her longtime dream of studying belly dance with beloved Phoenix City Parks and Recreation instructor, Naj. Naj invited Norma to help with vending at the swap meet, and to bring along some stuff of her own to sell. Eager to pursue her avocations, Norma created a handout flyer to take to the meet, detailing her abilities in sewing, drawing, painting, and writing. At the time, Naj was taking private lessons from Helena, and when Helena made her appearance at the meet, Naj introduced Norma to her. Taken by Norma’s alleged broad array of abilities, Helena decided to put her to the test, and offered to hire her to produce some hand-embroidered costume labels. A quick and easy camaraderie soon grew up between them, and it wasn’t long before Helena offered private instruction to Norma as well. Soon, a chemistry of mutual respect and admiration sprang up that, like any true master/apprentice relationship or friendship, only continues to grow deeper with each passing year.

Working one-on-one with Helena in 2000 inspired a magical connection for Norma. Reflecting on the 1960’s Rolling Stones hit “She’s a Rainbow”, wherein a “Lady Pharaoh” is spoken of, Norma realized that in Helena’s spirit she saw a living, breathing manifestation of that very being. This event led Norma, at the mundane level, to legally adopt and copyright the Lady Pharaoh name for her use, but at the spiritual level she credits Helena with remanifesting this very ancient, sacred, and much-suppressed Egyptian archetype into our contemporary culture. Lady Pharaoh lives in Norma (who sometimes goes by that name), as well as in every woman who opens herself as a channel to the formidable power of the Hathor goddess entity so beautifully exemplified by Helena’s person. After a two-year hiatus from her bellydance studies, during which time Norma worked at the aforementioned retail position from 2001-2003, Norma resumed her activities with Helena full-time in August of 2003. Now an intermediate student, as well as costumer, troupe publicist and biographer, Norma enjoys the privilege and pleasure of working closely with Helena and her sweet, demure protégé Katayna. May Norma’s magic grow and spread the radiance of Helena and Katayna’s exceptional legacy far and wide!

Katayna went on to win the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition in 2006. Norma has been spreading her magic and Helena goes on teaching the beauty of the dance to all who seek her out.