A little about...

 Like so many girls before her, Amira had studied Ballet, Modern and Tap dancing, all of which today continue to contribute their enriching influences to her performance style. Seeking more freedom of expression and movement, she has also studied and performed Flamenco and classical Spanish dance and Irish traditional step dancing- in which she was privileged to be a part of the first South African premiership and first South African Championship/World qualifiers when these events were held. Additionaly, she has studied in the arts of drama, theatrecraft and stage managment, making a solid art background and potent performance combination. It wasn’t, however, until she came to belly dance that she found a dance form where she could truly express herself and her inner fire.

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. To her delight, many have, both among South Africa's finest dancers as well as the unparalleled opportunity of further tutelage under several of New York and California’s Master teachers, including the inspirational Tanna of New York and the much esteemed Cory Zamora- to whom she remains greatful for expert tuition in the arts of floor and balance work as well as performance. Additionaly, she has attended workshops with 'princess of Cairo', Liza Laziza, Tamalyn Dallal, 'Godfather' of Egyptian dance Mahmoud Reda, tribal stars Kim Williams and our own, homegrown Nix and has studied in workshops and private tuition sessions with bellydance superstar Rania. She continues to futher her knowledge and skills whenever opportunities arise.

 Amira is skilled in multiple fire props, sword and double sword, tray, cloak and dagger, double daggers, veil/double veil, shamadan, cane, Isis wings and zills . She has made the often neglected art of floor work her specialty, and has also hosted her ever-popular ‘floor work basics’ and ‘floor work fusion’ workshops at the Annual Belly dance Jamboree, the Middle Eastern Dance Festival of South Africa and the SA National Belly Dance Festival. She has become one of the pioneers of the tribal belly dance style in South Africa, establishing one of Gauteng's first tribal performance groups, where she hopes to blend the disciplines of this form of belly dance with the passionate beats and influences of music and dance from her own homeland for a new and unique fusion flavour.

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 and becoming accredited with national dance authority, the South African Dance Teacher's Association. 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, the International Oriental Dance Festival and the Arts Festival of Southern Africa, and she has become a recognisable figure on the South African belly dance scene.