Amira’s first encounter with the wonderful art of Middle Eastern Dance came, ironically, not at the usual restaurant or ‘Arabian nights’ party, but in the midst of Professor Phillip Tobias’s now renowned lecture on ‘The Anatomy of Human Poise, Motion and Skill’. To illustrate his points throughout the evening, the world authority on human evolution made use of athletes and artists from many genres, using the differences in build, musculature, control, and balance given to them by their respective professions to illustrate his points. There were sprinters, body-builders, long-distance runners, a deaf bagpipe artist, Karate students, highland and ballet dancers- and 4 local belly dancers. The Prof seemed to feel that their art gave them a strength, flexibility and dexterity that worked naturally with their body’s musculature- and who was Amira to argue with such a respected authority? From the moment she first saw their dancing, she knew she wanted to learn their graceful, flowing, feminine dance-form for herself, and as soon as her already hectic dance schedule allowed, she joined classes with the ‘grandmother’ of belly dance in S.A., Shalimar Harrison.
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With an established dance background and a natural passion, Amira learnt quickly, and in addition to the skills and training provided by her first teacher, has studied her art further whenever the opportunities presented- and to her delight many have, including the unparalleled opportunity of further tutelage under several of California’s Master teachers, workshops with 'princess of Cairo', Liza Laziza, Tamalyn Dallal, 'Godfather' of Egyptian dance Mahmoud Reda and the opportunity to attend workshops and private tuition sessions with bellydance superstar Rania. She has since also studied several other styles of this wonderful dance form then that she was originally taught in, in addition to the arts of theatrecraft and stage managment.
Her fascination with the pounding, beat driven rhythms of the Middle East led her to study the tabla, the drum that makes the distinctive beat of many pieces of traditional Middle Eastern Music, which she plays with great joy-though her neighbours might not find it so joyous!
In 2003, almost at its inception, Amira became part of the fledgling examination system for belly dance in South Africa, completing the B.D.A.S.A.’s teacher training. Members of her studio and dance troupe now regularly take part in Association exams, gaining spectacular results. The following year, she opened her own large studio, where it is her privilege to pass on the techniques of this marvellous dance form to other women. Her performance troupe, In Harem's Way, have had much success in both local and international performances, and they have also made a splash at not only Gauteng's Belly dance Jamboree, but the S.A. National Belly Dance Festival and the Arts Festival of Southern Africa. As a teacher herself, teaching workshops, “show-and teach” performances [always popular for bat mitzvahs and brides-to-be!] and similar variations are her personal favourites. She has featured in several publications, most notably serving as consultant for Cosmopolitan Magazine’s Dec 2005 article on the dance form, and for Oriental magazine’s article on the evolution of belly dance in S.A. Amira also featured on music and dance program 'Groova', has appeared on Talk Radio 702, and a special dancer's edition of the SABC's fifth season of the 'Weakest Link', in which she managed to hold her own remarkably well against the infamous Fiona Coyne to emerge victorious
Amira hopes to continue to contribute towards the evolution of this fantastic art form in this country, and is currently working on furthering her own unique style of afro-fusion belly dance, in addition to working on her new, funky ‘belly-hop’ method. Her performances have benn enjoyed by many, and one of the most hearfelt comments she has received thus far is that her performance inspired a fellow dancer to return to the art form and begin learning again.
Aside from the dancing? Amira holds an masters and is studying towards a doctorate in Archaeology, and the role of women in ancient societies remains one of her enduring interests. She also collects My Little Pony Memorabilia- after all, if it works for action hero Bruce Willis, why can't it work for a belly dancer too? And what dancer couldn't empathize with critters who have that much 'bling' on their hips? She also is owned by several cats- and yes, the photos on this page are all real- the kitties seem to appreciate her drumming as much as the neighbours...
Amira would love to hear from you! If you have any stories to share, queries or comments about belly dance, or would like to enquire about classes or performances, drop her a line!
Photo Credits:
Many thanks to Sharon McKerr, Carol Hogarth, Clinton Abbot, Richard Weir, Eschie Graffix, G Budler, Marc d'Hotman and his team, the team from the SA bellydance festival '07 and the wonderful ladies of Stella Nova for the fantastic photos of Amira.
Also to the photographer from our Wild Waters Function. If you can help us identify that photographer, please contact us.
Thanks to Phoenix, Djette, Draco and Blossom for allowing their pictures to appear ;)
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