Paivi says ...

When I first met Jo, she was a serious, hardworking girl. She was very quiet, but her work ethic was apparent. Her concentration and class attendance showed that she knew where her priorities were; she knew what she wanted. She attended all classes and also did homework outside of class. She still does.

Johara is just absolutely gorgeous.

She came to bellydance with an open mind; she wanted something more and was ready to throw herself “into” it. Johara is a perfectionist and is continually working, trying to be better -- sometimes to the extent that she should not be so hard on herself. I can relate to that very well!

As a professional solo bellydancer, and an active member of the folkloric troupe Farrah, Jo has found a balance between the two formats which has made her very adaptable. It is not an easy thing to accomplish! She knows how to work in a group efficiently; where you need solid technique and attitude to what you’re doing … you need a very clear mind. She does that really well.

People often love to be in the spotlight and if you love the spotlight too much just for yourself, it is very hard to be part of the group and give the “stardom” to the dance rather than to the individual and if you can’t do that then you’ve actually wrecked what you’re trying to achieve. When the dance is in the foreground -- when the dance is the star -- everyone needs to work for that and the supporting role is as important as the main role and she knows that and she can balance that out and that’s very good.

The troupe discipline really brings out the best in her solo work, because it showcases and “frames” her intensity and love for bellydance.

Johara is a strong person, with a strong will, strong principles and attitude. She has bit of “edge”, a bit of dark side, which is the part that I like best. That’s what I want. I don’t like those “pretty smiles” all the way through – that’s absolutely boring. She has enough daring spirit to do something else and to be different to that “pretty, girly, charming” clichéd picture. She does that too, if she wants, but you always know that there’s more in the background and I like that... This girl has “kick” in her!