Guests


Taaj
My dance career has taken me in all directions. I have been an class instructor, workshop instructor, performer, troupe member, troupe director, workshop and show sponsor, costume importer, costume wholesaler and retailer, trade publication editor, magazine contributor, and tour director.

I have sponsored 21 instructors in 15 events. I currently sponsor the East Coast Belly Dance Classic, an annual belly dance contest. I have been sponsored in CA, FL, MD, OH, PA and VA. My infatuation with dance has also lead me to study Polynesian and Latin dance styles.

I have always danced primarily for Arabs who have told me that I dance like a native. My first trip to Egypt transformed my dance experience, but it wasn't until then that I considered my style Egyptian. WAMEDA backed that up in a review that said, "Her dance was classic Egyptian, magnificently presented and interpreted with an authenticity not often seen in the U.S."

My journeys to Egypt began in 1998. That trip made me fall in love with Egypt and taught me so much about the dance. I returned in 1999 and was offered an exclusive contract at a 5 star resort. Dancing in Egypt has been the highlight of my dance experience. I have returned many times since then as a tourist, performer, and tour director. It is a second home full of love, friends, and family. I am not longer taking groups over, but I mentor others who would like to lead their own groups.

My driving focus is currently on my students and teaching. I like to develop those with passion into professional quality dancers. For those who aren't interested in performing, but find themselves attracted to the healing and spiritual qualities of the dance, I do Moving Meditation workshops that bring about catharsis of hidden emotions. I am a board member of MEDIA (Middle Eastern Dance Instructor Association).

My name, Taaj fi Qalbi, is Arabic for "crown of my heart." The name was given to me by a man who was inspired by me. I am fortunate to have been given this gift and hope that I can continue to move people through dance.

For more information on Taaj, visit her website.

Maya
Chris Schneider (Dr. Maya) has always wanted to dance. Fifteen years ago, she found one of her two passions in Middle Eastern Dance. While in Minneapolis, MN, Maya trained extensively with Cassandra Shore at the renowned Cassandra School of Oriental Dance, where she studied classical Danse Orientale and various middle eastern folkloric dances, and later was added to the teaching faculty at the school. Maya became a member of Jawaahir Dance Company, a prestigious Middle Eastern dance troupe, performing folkloric and theatrical pieces on stages throughout the United States. Maya could be seen regularly on restaurant and nightclub stages throughout the Twin Cities, and was a frequent performer at various arts, dinner, and fund-raising events, with unusual and memorable performances such as music videos (including Prince), film, B-theatre productions, the St. Paul Winter Carnival events, and pro wrestling. After Maya moved to Austin, she was invited to be a principle dancer in Desert Passion Dance Theatre, and later became Dr. Maya after Chris received her Ph.D. in paleoecology (her other passion). Maya's major dance foci include Raks Sharqi, Saidi, Melaya Lef, and fusion, and she declares herself a major Sohair Zaki fan. In addition, Maya also performs south Indian Bharatanatyam, north Indian Kathak, and gypsy flamenco. Dr. Maya currently resides in Boone, NC, and regularly performs and teaches her dynamic and expressive Middle Eastern dance throughout the United States.

Donna
Donna has been dancing for 8 years and her interest in Middle Eastern dance remains strong. She finds the rhythms and emotional qualities of this dance style compelling and fulfilling. Her style has been described as "Lithe, elegant, and soulful in Raks Sharki; her dramatic style is intermixed with delightful spontaneity." She won the Best Kept Secret Award from Zaghareet magazine in 2000. She has taught workshops in Raleigh, NC; andBlacksburg, Virginia Beach, and Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she now lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she continues to practice and learn all she can about this expressive dance.

For more information, contact Donna.

Amira
I began Belly Dance classes in Baltimore, MD in 1974 with Saadet from Dundalk. I first performed at Kismet Turkish Restaurant in Chatham Mall in Nov. 1976. From there I went to Emin Gunduz's Turkish club, the Salaam, in Washington, D.C. Since then I have performed Cabaret Style Belly Dance in 7 states and Canada in mostly Ethnic Clubs with Live Ethnic Bands. I currently live with my 18-year-old son and too many cats near Roanoke, Virginia, and am a psychology major at Hollins University.The photo was taken at Pennsic 28 in my SCA Middle Eastern Dance garb. Currently my favorite style is what I refer to as Gothic Tribal... lilting, liquid and graceful over a strong dark throbbing beat to create an intoxicating visual feast of hypnotic movement. I am currently teaching classes through the Roanoke County Parks & Recreation Department (see the calendar for dates and times). Call 540-772-7529 for directions and to enroll.

For more information, contact Amira.

Samra
Iara Kendrick has been performing Middle Eastern dances under the stage name Samra since the early 90s. But her love for dancing began many years earlier, dating back from her childhood in Bahia, Brazil. She grew up in a city where the sound of Candomble drums permeated the late night air and broke the silence even in the quietest residential streets, and blended with the noise of the noisiest streets. Besides, there were the sounds of the "bateria" that went on all year in anticipation of the 3 days of the frenzied celebration called Carnaval, the drums and "pandeiros" of the omnipresent Samba, and the "birimbau" of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art.

Growing up in Brazil, one is surrounded by rhythms and dances from all parts of the world. Since early in her life Samra was always attracted to the music and dance from far away places. She has always been fascinated by the music from Spain and the Middle East. She joined Brazilian folk dance groups, danced in the carnaval, and attended weekly neighborhood parties. She continued her interest in dance by taking ballroom dance classes in college after coming to the United States to study, and later immersed herself in the study of dances from the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and several Mediterranean countries. She continues to study, perform, and teach ethnic dances and fusion from around the world.

Besides striving to present the dances in the best light possible aesthetically, Samra strives to present each dance in the appropriate cultural context, thus studying not only the physical movements, but also the historical and expressive purpose of each dance. She has performed at many local and regional events, including clubs and cultural events in many parts of the United States. She frequently performs for audiences of all ages and backgrounds, including weddings and New Year celebrations for audiences that include people from the Middle East, Central Asia, and all other admirers of Middle Eastern dances.

Samra states that: "One never stops learning to dance, even if you only dedicate your life to one style. I learn from everyone, even a student who walks into my class for the first time! Of course, I have studied and continue to study with the masters of the dance. To the great masters, I say thank you for your inspiration and for sharing with me your beautiful craft interpreted with impeccable artistry and uncompromising passion."

For more information, visit Samra's website or contact Samra.

Mandara
Mandara is a world fusion belly dance ensemble based out of southwest Virginia. We perform group dances that are inspired by dance traditions from along the Silk Road (India, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain). Our dancing celebrates the human spirit and expresses physical strength and beauty as well as each dancer's unique interaction within the community as a whole. The dances we perform are meant to celebrate life in all stages through music and movement.

For more information, visit Mandara's website or contact Mandara.