It’s not all that often that you get to meet a world-class singer, bellydancer, teacher, fitness instructor, businesswoman and promoter all rolled into one. But Zein Al-Jundi, native of Demascus, Syria, owner of the Arabic Bazaar and promoter of “Arabian Night” (a monthly bellydance party held at Red Fez) defies the notion that life is limited to a solitary passion or endeavor.

An Austin resident for the past 22 years and a proud UT alumni, Al-Jundi holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a master’s degree in Urban Design. However, her true passion lies in something much different — spreading the gift of world music and dance to as many people as she can.

Al-Jundi’s entrée into the world of music began at the tender age of five. First discovered by a local TV producer for her beautiful voice, she soon became a fixture on radios across Syria and quickly became a household name. In fact in 1974, at the age of 13, Al-Jundi found herself singing for the Syrian government at the opening ceremony of the renovated Roman amphitheater.

Now Al-Jundi splits her time as a successful business owner (overseeing her talent agency World Music Productions and her store, the Arabic Bazaar) with her role as a cultural icon, delivering a breadth of exciting world music events, including The Arabic Hafleh and “Arabian Night,” to the Austin community. She is even the creator of Bellydance Fitness, a unique exercise offering that she has been teaching personally for more than seven years.

With Bellydance Fitness, Al-Jundi aims to incorporate the art form of bellydancing as it is taught in the Arab world, into a relaxed, fun and exploratory fitness class. The emphasis, as she explains, is to provide students with tools to develop their own style, as well as the opportunity to stay in shape with an unconventional workout. Classes are approximately an hour long and take place four times during the week. According to Al-Jundi, “I take a great deal of pride in taking this artform to a new level.”

And believe it or not, she is not stopping there. Recently signed to a major recording label (ARC Records), Al-Jundi is re-debuting her voice on Nov. 15, with the release of her first CD worldwide. A collection of traditional Syrian music, the project was produced by Hossam Ramzy, famous world musician and collaborator with such artists as Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, the Gypsy Kings, Luciano Pavoratti, Boy George and Jay-Z.

When asked how she manages to keep it all together, Al-Jundi simply smiles and provides the following response: “Everything feeds on everything else. I could not just do one thing.”

For more information about Zein Al-Jundi or her current projects, visit www.wmdproductions.com.

Photo courtesy of WMD Productions