AMARA is one of the most versatile Middle Eastern dancers. She is well known for her entertaining and dynamic American belly dance style that is interspersed with sword, veil, double veil, and zil work. She is equally skilled in many folk dances including raqs al-assaya and debke. Amara's experimental Middle Eastern dance is on the cutting edge and is perhaps the most varied out there with each work looking and feeling dramatically different.

Amara has performed as a soloist and in Middle Eastern Dance companies all over the United States. She has held long-term dance engagements at several Middle Eastern restaurants and nightclubs including Pars (LA), Elbasha (LA), and Mamounia (LV). She has also been highlighted in numerous videos by IAMED, BDTV, and EEMED.

Amara teaches Beginning through Professional level classes in the Los Angeles area. She is also a featured instructor at many belly dance events throughout the United States, offering workshops and classes in: American, Egyptian and Turkish cabaret, Staged-Folklore from the Middle East and North Africa, Experimental performance and concepts (X-MED), sword, veil, double veil, candles and candelabra, stick and cane, zils (finger cymbals), floor work, and how to teach dance.

Amara is known for her innovative teaching methods. In her studio classes, she stresses strong foundational technique through combinations of choreography, improvisation, solo, and group work, while she also helps students explore the workings of Middle Eastern dance and their own
individual needs. In addition, Amara presents information about the history of Middle Eastern and Belly Dance, differences between various genres, and issues facing dancers today. She has taught accredited courses on dance appreciation and Middle Eastern dance at UCLA and UCR, and workshops at a number of universities and colleges. She is currently an instructor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

In addition to teaching, Amara is the Director and Choreographer of Ya Helewa!, a Middle Eastern dance company which performs a diverse repertory of traditional and experimental improvisations and choreographies. Ya Helewa! has held a long-term dance engagements at Moun of Tunis (LA) and Pars (LA). They have also been invited to perform at numerous functions for Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive, IAMED, UCLA, The Knitting Factory, and
Desert Sin.

Amara also produces numerous events. Her main focus is "An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance" concerts and videos. She has also hosted a monthly showcase and has co-founded "Dance Under Construction," a UC system wide dance conference. Her newest projects include "X-MED," a workshop series presenting tools and methods for creating experimental
Middle Eastern dances and "How to Teach Middle Eastern Dance," a seminar series designed for new and seasoned teachers to learn and practice new pedagogical styles.

In addition to teaching and performing, Amara is also deeply involved with studying and researching Middle Eastern dance. Her interest began while getting her degree in Music History and Literature and a certificate in Ethnomusicology from The Florida State University. Amara's pursuit deepened when at UCLA she worked towards an M.A. in Dance Ethnology and an MFA. Currently, Amara is a doctoral candidate at UC Riverside's PhD program in
Dance History and Theory.

Belly Dance Classes: Ongoing studio classes in Encino, Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced. She also teaches at Cal Poly Pomona.

Amara is also available for private lessons and coaching. Amara has a variety of workshops and seminars that she can teach to any size group or experience level. Classes are offered in:

  a.. Combinations & Technique
  b.. Props
  c.. Choreography
  d.. Improvisation
  e.. Experimental (X-MED)
  f.. Teaching Middle Eastern Dance

For more information, please contact Amara: 818-906-1947 or Amara@AmaraDances.com