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Al-Bahira Dance Theater Company Members
Known for her delicate yet passionate style and musical interpretation, Mirah Ammal is a professional Middle Eastern dance performer, choreographer, and instructor. In addition to working as artistic director of Al-Bahira, Mirah is the founder/director of the Aalim School of Middle Eastern Dance, and an accomplished solo performer who is featured at the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, Beirut Restaurant, and other restaurants and venues throughout the region. Mirah was an artistic director and primary choreographer with the former Ammala Middle Eastern Dance & Music troupe. She has studied with master dancers from the U.S., Egypt and other countries including her mentor, Cassandra Shore, and additional study with other artists such as Dina, Raqia Hassan, Farida Fahmy, Aisha Ali, Hamada, Beba, Hadia, Tamalyn Dallal, Randa Kamel, and Dr. Mo Gedawi. Facinated by cultures, languages, world politics, and ethnic dance from a young age, Mirah holds a dual degree in history and journalism from the University of Minnesota. She has traveled to Egypt to further her dance studies and understanding of the culture and language of the region, and she plans to return to the Egypt and visit other countries in the region in the near future.
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.
Eloisa was brought up Italy, where she was exposed to the dance and music of many different cultures and developed a life-long love of dance. Her interest in movement has led her to study hip-hop, salsa, and flamenco in addition to Middle Eastern dance, which she has studied for more than eight years. In addition to her work with Al-Bahira, Eloisa has performed in various theatrical and special event venues as a soloist, with Margo Abdo O'Dell, as a regular performer at the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, and as member of the Blue Lotus. She teaches classes through Zenon and in other Minneapolis studios. On stage, Eloisa's style is natural, elegant, and thoroughly charming. In her free time, Eloisa enjoys salsa dancing, and spending time with her husband, her friends, and her dog. Eloisa is currently on leave from Al-Bahira while she completes further certification in her medical career.
Inara has enjoyed dancing since she learned the twist at age 3, and has dabbled in tap, ballet, and modern dance. A founding member and occasional choreographer with Al-Bahira, Inara is a Middle Eastern Dance instructor in Northfield, and was previously a member of Ammala Middle Eastern Dance & Music. Inara dances at private parties, charity events, cabarets, and other venues. She has performed at the Southern Theater, through the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Festival of Nations, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and the St. Paul Women's Expo. Inara ha found inspiration from her instructors Cassandra Shore and Margo Abdo O'Dell. She has also studied with Raqia Hassan, Dahlena, Tamalyn Dahlal, Ansuya, Dina, and others. Inara also performed with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society for 12 years and taught Scottish dance for 5 years. Inara became interested in Middle Eastern dance in 1991, and keeps coming back for more. When not dancing, she enjoys scuba diving, traveling with her husband, and thinking up things to put in her dance bio.
Kristin dances and hits people with swords, though not usually at the same time. A dancer, instructor, and choreographer, she previously performed with Ammala Middle Eastern Dance & Music, and she currently teaches belly dance through community education programs around the metro area. In addition to Middle Eastern dance, Afrita 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. After a brief leave of absence in early 2007 to spend time with her young daughter, Afrita returned to dance and is now performing with Al-Bahira and teaching through the Aalim School of Dance.
Al-Bahira Apprentices
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.
Ameerah's love of Middle Eastern music and dance began as a young American women living in Jordan. At gatherings and parties, the Jordanian women would dance together, and teach Ameerah to to dance with them. After three years abroad, the Milwaukee native returned to the U.S. and in 2003 she began her formal study of Middle Eastern dance. Ameerah has since performed at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and through the Guild of Oriental dance. When she is not dancing, Ameerah works for a non-profit organization, creating public health programs with immigrants and refugees in Minnesota. She joined Al-Bahira as an apprentice in 2007.
Sana's love of dance permeates her entire life. 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. Sana is also an accomplished ballroom dancer and instructor. 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 became an Al-Bahira apprentice in 2007.
Eryn's fascination with Middle Eastern dance began in 2003 when she began taking her first belly dance classes. Soon she was “hooked”, studying with several instructors in the area and seeking out various influences, but it was her lively presence and charming personality on stage caught the eyes of dance directors and audience members alike. Initially drawn to “belly dance”, Safia has recently also begun to explore folkloric forms, and she has begun learning to play the tabla to enhance her understanding of Arabic music and rhythms. Safia joined Al-Bahira as an apprentice in 2007.
Vega took her first Middle Eastern dance classes in 2004 at her husband's suggestion. She quickly fell in love with the movement and the way the dance suits a woman's body, and after her first performance, she was hooked! Vega has danced for the Festival of Nations, the Minnesota Fringe Festival, MarsCON, and for various haflas, open stages, and community events. Outside the dance world, Vega is a figure skater, skating coach, and pilates instructor. Her favorite activity, however, is being mom to daughter Victoria and son Aidan. Vega joined Al-Bahira as an apprentice in 2007.
Iscah (Jessica Tkach-Paquin) Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon. Iscah's bio coming soon.
Al-Bahira Dance Theater 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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Eloisa (Eloisa Beyer)-ON
LEAVE
Inara (Inara Southwick)
Afrita (Kristin Kujawski)
Alicia (Alicia Pankratz)
Ameerah (Andrea
Leinberger-Jabari)
Sana
(Joanna Lessard)
Safia (Eryn
H.)
Vega (Abby Smith)