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Instructors
Click for: Regular Aalim School Instructors Guest Instructors
Minneapolis and Inver Grove Heights locations Known for her delicate yet passionate style and musical interpretation, Mirah Ammal is a professional Middle Eastern dance performer, choreographer and instructor. Mirah teaches workshops and is available regionally or nationally. She also performs for public and private events and is a featured performer at restaurants throughout the region. The current artistic director of Al-Bahira, Mirah was an artistic director with the former Ammala Middle Eastern Dance & Music troupe. Mirah has studied with many top names in dance from the U.S., Egypt and other countries including her mentor, Cassandra Shore, and other artists such as Dina, Raqia Hassan, Farida Fahmy, Aisha Ali, Hamada, Hadia, Tamalyn Dallal, Randa Kamel, and Dr. Mo Gedawi. Mirah's Teaching Philosophy: "In my teaching, I emphasize a physically and mentally healthy approach to belly dance. I focus on body awareness, proper alignment, and proper technique for a physically healthy dance experience. I also feel it is important to share information about the culture, history, and different styles of the dance as students become more involved. Most of all, I believe that dance is as good for the soul as it is for the body, so I strive to create an environment where women are free and safe to explore their femininity, find their inner grace, revel in their beauty, and laugh uproariously together. Regardless of age, shape or size, we all deserve to dance!"
Inver Grove Heights location A graceful and effervescent performer, Amara has studied the art of Middle Eastern dance since 1999. She is a founding member of Al-Bahira and was a member of the former Ammala Middle Eastern Dance and Music from 2003-2007. Amara teaches weekly classes around the Twin Cities and performs at private parties, cultural events, charity events and more. Amara has danced at both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Women's Expos, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and many other theatrical performances venues. The bulk of Amara's training has been with Cassandra Shore and Margo Abdo O'Dell, but she has also had opportunities to study with Dina, Aisha Ali, Tamalyn Dallal, and others. Also a professional-level flute player, Amara holds a degree in music education.
Amara's Teaching Philosophy: Coming soon.
Inver Grove Heights location Amina began her Middle Eastern dance career in 1995, and since then has studied with Cassandra Shore, Chris Cherewan, Elena Lentini, Ansuya, Jillina, Moira Chappell, and Margo Abdo O'Dell. A Middle Eastern and tribal belly dance performer and instructor, she teaches several classes throughout the Twin Cities, and also dances for private and public functions. Amina has performed with several local Middle Eastern dance ensembles, the Jawaahir Dance Company, and the Haneen Dance Ensemble. She has also performed locally at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Festival of Nations, Minnesota Fringe Festival, and was a featured dancer at the Mediterranean Cruise and El Bustan restaurants and Seven Bridges World Market.
Amina's Teaching Philosophy: Each of us begins our dance journey for different reasons, and I celebrate the different reasons that bring students, female or male, of all ages, shapes, and sizes together in our shared journey of The Dance. I strive to create a supportive, positive, and fun learning environment by imparting a balance of technique, self development, and performance skills delivered with gentle humor and encouragement. After all, if we do not enjoy what we are learning, we stagnate. While I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the dance and culture with my students, I learn just as much from each and every student. I look forward to meeting you at the Aalim School--shimmy on!"
Alicia Minneapolis location Alicia began studying Middle Eastern dance as a college student in 2000. As a student in Madison, Wisconsin, she joined the UW-Bellydancing organization, where she eventually became president and director for two years, and taught dance for four years. Alicia has studied with Mona N'wal, Margo Abdo O'Dell, the Cassandra School of Dance, and Mirah Ammal. She has performed for many community and theatrical venues including the Wisconsin State Fair, Arab World Fest (Milwaukee), Patrick's Cabaret (Minneapolis), and festivals in Chicago. In addition to Middle Eastern dance, Alicia has a background in Flamenco and African dance. She takes particular interest in Arabic and Turkish styles of belly dance and folkloric dance. Alicia joined Al-Bahira in 2007, and in 2008 she began teaching through the Aalim School of Dance. Alicia's Teaching Philosophy: Coming soon.
Afrita Minneapolis location Afrita first began taking belly dance classes in the late 1990s, and has taught belly dance through community education and other programs for more than 3 years. She dances with Al-Bahira Dance Theater and previously performed with Ammala Middle Eastern Dance & Music. In addition to Middle Eastern dance, Kristin has studied African, modern, ballet, jazz, Renaissance and Baroque dance forms. She is also a costumer and accomplished actress and stage combat performer who studied and taught for five years with En Garde Unlimited. Afrita's Teaching Philosophy: Coming soon.
Workshop Class Guest Instructors
Arabic Drumming Fundamentals for Dancers and Non-dancers, 6/12/08 Dancing Drum Solos and Working with Live Musicians (with Mirah), 7/10 Dave was a founding member of the Ancient Sonic Libido performance ensemble and Ammala Dance & Music. He has studied Middle Eastern percussion and music with master drummer Souhail Kaspar, Tim O’Keefe, Meriam Gerbner, and Laura Harada. Dave has also performed with the Oberlin College Choir, the Madison Civic Choir, and the Obertones, a professional touring group. Dave holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is a member of the Psychology faculty at Normandale Community College.
Greek Belly Dance, 7/24/08 Known for her lively style, energetic persona, and impeccable zill work, Tara is a Twin Cities-based performer and instructor with more than 20 years of belly dance experience. Formerly a featured dancer at the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, Port of Beirut restaurant, and other local Middle Eastern restaurants. Tara has a strong background in Orientale, Greek, Turkish, and other Middle Eastern dance styles. She has been known throughout the region for her knowledge of Greek-style belly dance, and sought after for Greek audiences and events.More recently, Tara has also developed an interest in Tribal Fusion belly dance, taking multiple workshops with artists such as Rachel Brice and Moira Chappel. Tara's vivacious personality and dedicated approach make her popular with students of all ages and backgrounds. Known for her lively style, energetic personality, and impecable zill work, Tara is a Twin Cities-based performer and instructor with more than 20 years of belly dance experience. Formerly a featured dancer at the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, Port of Beirut restaurant, and other local Middle Eastern restaurants, Tara is also known throughout the region for her knowledge of Greek-style belly dance, and is sought after for Greek audiences and events.
Latin Dance for Belly Dancers, June-July 2008 Sana's love of dance permeates her entire life. Sana is a certified ballroom and Latin dance instructor with more than 12 years experience teaching and performing these forms. She and her husband have a dance studio where they and their instructors share their love of dance with others on a daily basis. Sana is also an accomplished Middle Eastern dancer and an apprentice member of the Al-Bahira Dance Theater performance troupe. She began her study of Middle Eastern dance in 2004, studying primarily with Cassandra Shore, and performing for many events such as the Festival of Nations, the Renaissance Festival, MarsCON, and various haflas and Guild shows.
Ballet Basics for Belly Dancers, 10/14/07 A dance instructor for more than 20 years, Becky Stanchfield is a visiting instructor at Macalester College and a regular faculty member at Zenon Dance Company where she specializes in Ballet. Becky has also taught with Minnesota Dance Theater, the University of Minnesota, and she was a Guest instructor in Nova Scotia for nine years. Becky trained with Loyce Houlton, Frank Borman, Mary Hinkson, and Brian Shaw. She also choreographed more then 20 musicals for Armstrong and Cooper High Schools. Becky also has training and expertise in posture, alignment, and body work.
Zambra Mora, 11/4/07 An accomplished Middle Eastern Dance performer, Toha has also began performing classical Spanish dance at the age of 10. She erformed internationally as a child with Philadelphia's Ballet Des Jeunes and New York's Ecos De Espana. Locally, she performed with Zorongo Flamenco and Theatre de la Jeune Lune, before joining Jawaahir in 1994. She is a regular performer at Jerusalem's restaurant, and has also danced with Habiba's dance ensemble in Philidelphia. Toha also works as a radio personality and voiceover artist, often under the name Salina Jones.
Aalim School of Dance, LLC. P.O. Box 19342 Minneapolis, MN 55419 612-703-7002 or 763-229-7801
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Copyright © 2007 Al-Bahira Dance Theater and Aalim School of Middle Eastern Dance, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Amara
(Barb)
Amina 
Dr.
Dave 
Tara 
Sana
(Joanna Lessard)
Becky
Stanchfield
Toha
(Sarah Jones Larson)