Fouzia Haouzi

It was a long trip--where I learned something about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, where I learned that life is an eternal testament of the transforming power of our dreams. I've always said that there should be a reason to be somewhere. I have this inspiration to follow my dreams by seeking the world through my own eyes and not through the eyes of others. I find that many things in life are so interesting and the possibility of having a dream come true makes life itself interesting. I am like many people that believe that the universe could conspire things in your favor, if you really desire it. And, when I have my inspirational moments, at the point of finding my way of doing the right things at the right time, I feel that my objective will be achieved. That is the reason I am here.

I left Morocco several years ago. I left because I wanted to define my identity as an artist and thought I would achieve that goal abroad. With me, I took my culture, my folklore, my music and my dance. Upon my travels, I soon found myself as an ambassador to my country. I was plagued with many questions about who I was and where I came from. People confused Morocco for the Principality of Monaco. Some people did not even know Morocco was in Africa. Sometimes I was even asked where was my camel and if I came from a family of nomads. So many people were ignorant about Morocco and it's culture.

Morocco is a country of light and color. It is fascinating, mysterious and intriguing. These are a few of the adjectives used to describe my country. It's exotic and folkloric aspects never cease to inspire writers, artist and filmmakers. In fact, the inspiration for one of my first song, "Bent Ecemch" or "Sawlouni m'li inti", came from my encounters with the many individuals who had questioned me. And here I am, in New York, without my camel....

I graduated from the Superior Institute of Art, Dramatic Cultural Animation (ISADAC) in Rabat, Morocco in 1992. I then traveled to the Netherlands to study Theater History at the University of Amsterdam. I completed my degree in 1994. While living in Amsterdam, I worked as an actress for RTAK Productions and Palaz Film and Television Production and as a Television Presenter for TAER Television Station. Later, I went on to work as the Cultural and Publications Co-Coordinator for the Tonnels Organization. Independently, I worked on my music. I also worked as an actress in the various theatrical productions in Alicante, Spain.

In 1998, I moved to London, England to further pursue my career as an artist. While in London I decided I needed to nurture my body, as well as my soul. I studied Nutritional Medicine at Rusland College and became a Certified Personal Trainer. I continued to work as an actress and model. I also produced my first music CD and began work on my first novel.

In 2000, I decided it was time to move on and emigrated to New York. I currently work as a News Anchorperson for the Arabic Channel and look forward to pursue my acting, writing and music career here in the States. I continue to work on my novel.

My acting, writing and singing is all about "artiste au dela du rev^e" (the artist beyond the dream). My inspiration comes form the music of my ancestry, it comes from the chords played so many years ago. Childhood memories of love and friendship remind me of the scent of summer in Morocco. And, this is what I found that I was translating through my art. Even though I left Morocco to follow my dreams, I did not escape it. It was always with me and became the vehicle of which identified me as an artist. I identity I was looking to define long ago.

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