Sergio

“I’d like to tell you about a wonderful male dancer whose life was cut short all too quickly by cancer. He died in 1994 while in his early 30’s. His name was Sergio. As a dancer he was charming and charismatic with a dance style that was powerful and magnetic. You just couldn’t take your eyes off him. As a person he was sensitive, spiritual and really witty. He touched our lives in a profound way and was loved by many in our dance community. He is sorely missed. I will soon be adding a page to my website celebrating Sergio’s life as a teacher, performer and friend…” – Layla from Platinum 5/06

“Sergio was not only a great dancer but also my friend, his love for the dance came from very deep inside of him, and the audience felt it. He was everybody’s friend, a gentle soul and a warm human being.” – Mimi, NYC

In Loving Memory of Mimi Carlevari, Sergio’s best friend, who passed in February, 2010, also of cancer. She and Sergio are dancing in heaven!

“I was fortunate to share the stage with Sergio in his prime and of course in my prime. We were a dance duet act for many years and he starred in many stage shows that I sponsored. What I most admired about Sergio was his incredible command of the Middle Eastern rhythms. He would excite the audiences to a frenzy and calm them mystically all at the same time. My love for him was as an artist and a generous human being. As I said, I was one of the fortunate ones.” – Amara Al Amir, NYC

“Sergio was such a beautiful soul and his tenderness as a human being exploded in his fiery performances. We had a discussion once about where we feel the music. I told him I felt it in my sternum and he said that he felt the music in his gut. His was a gut reaction to the music… Remember how he sweat as he danced, wiping the sweat from his brow like a windshield wiper and then sprinkling the audience with it—the ladies would go wild! And how he magically made his veil appear from nowhere. Sergio, we miss his gentle soul, his mischievious smile and his fiery dancing…” – Aszmara, NYC

“He guest taught the advanced class at my studio on several occasions and also performed at one of my dance parties. We all loved him and his dancing!” – Anahid Sofian, NYC

“He was a very sweet and gentle person.” – Serena, NYC

“When I think of Sergio, I smile. He was by far, one of the best dancers—male or female—that I have ever met. When I try to describe Sergio’s dancing to my students, I cannot find the words that even come close to describing his talents. To see him sitting in an audience thick horned rimmed glasses, quiet, polite – then transform into the smiling, flirty, phenomenal “Sergio” 20 minutes later has always reminded me of the transformation one would see with “Superman”. He certainly had the talents of a “Superman” on the dance floor. Sergio was high energy with moves that were crisp and clear. Timing was always precise. And Charisma?…well, he had a smile that would make you melt off of your seat. Yes, I remember Sergio! And he will always be alive within me every time I perform – he was such an inspiration!” – Shalimar, Belly Dance Connecticut

“I first met Sergio in 1975 at a seminar I was teaching for Sheri Miller in East Hartford, CT, when he was a student at the High School of Fashion Arts in Manhattan & was there to help Paul Monty with his vending & check out the Oriental costume designs worn at that time.”