Josie Conte

About the Artist

Josie Conte is a performer and instructor who specializes in the art of Middle Eastern Dance. She has been an active artist and teacher in the Portland area since 1993 and founded Baraka Ensemble, inspired by the beauty and richness of Middle Eastern art, and they in turn have created wonderful spectacle wherever they have been invited from New Year''s Portland, and the Maine Festival, to concerts in Oak St. Theater, Merril Auditorium, in self- produced concerts and various schools.
Josie has trained with various companies and gifted teachers including Anne Bogart and the SITI Company, Serena Dance Theater, Ramzi El Edlibi, Sharon Fogarty Dance Theater, Yeinan Song, Elena Lentini and Dunya. Josie studied dance and theater extensively while living in NYC and performed in both cabaret and concert settings. She has been living in Portland, Maine since 1992 a developed a lively belly dance community where some of her students have become teachers. In 1999, Josie was accepted into The Maine Arts Commission Touring roster and she continues to perform and teach throughout New England.
She was a twice honored choreographer for Dance Portland and has enjoyed collaborative work with the good company artists and performers that include Nance Parker and Shoestring Theater, Betsy Dunphy and The Perennial Effects Dance Collective, Tarpigh, Okbari, Alhan, the late Al Gardiner, and Deb Irons.
Morwenna Assaf writes in Shimmy Chronicles, "" Josie has a special gift to dance and magic to create the moment and seduce us to their realms"".
She is a graduate of SUNY College at Brockport with a BA in Dance and minor in Psychology. She is currently studying Medicine at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.