Maelen first learned Middle Eastern dance to exercise and relieve stress while going through Veterinary School at Washington State University. After graduation, she continued to take classes. She studied with Shiraz, Zaphara and Majhi.
She has been a member of Shahrazad Dance Ensemble for many years, and enjoys dancing with some of her best friends. Maelen enjoys performing both ethnic and more modern dance styles, and is very fond of our alternative dance troupe, the “Wild Women of Wongo.”
When not dancing, Maelen spent many years as a small animal veterinarian. She also enjoys riding her horse, creating science fiction costumes, and learning to speak Korean. During the pandemic, she made more than 100 cloth facemasks for her friends, neighbors, and everyone at the stables where she boards her horse.