Shiraz first started Middle Eastern dancing in 2001 at the
Classical Middle Eastern Dance Studio (now Safira’s Center of
World Dance) in Wichita, Kansas, USA. The studio
director, Safira Zeki, acted as her teacher and mentor in Middle Eastern
dance while encouraging her to increase her awareness in other areas by
taking ballet lessons as well. During her time in Wichita, Shiraz
performed at restaurants, ethnic events, and dance concerts. In 2004,
Shiraz was fortunate enough to be asked to act as an instructor
at Safira’s studio and did so for the next 1 ˝ years. She has since
moved to the Kansas City area but continues to be invited back to
Safiras’ Center of World Dance
to dance in monthly shows as well as the studio’s annual performance at
the Wichita Century II convention center and theater.
Shiraz has worked to expand her repertoire and increase her
knowledge of dance by attending seminars taught by such teachers as
Mahmoud Reda, Farida Fahmy, Raqia Hassan, Dr. Mo Gedawwi, Magdy El-Leisy,
and Mona El Said. Shiraz still joins Safira on annual trips to New York
City for a week long intensive with Elena Lentini. While in New York,
Shiraz has also been fortunate enough to have had lessons with Nourhan
Sharif, Dalia Carella and Samara. Shiraz has been invited to Iowa City
for seminars with Maleeha who graciously shares her knowledge of
choreography by Ibrahim Farrah.
In June
2007 Shiraz will have the pleasure and honor to attend the 4th
Cairo Seminar with Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy. She is especially
pleased to have the opportunity to learn about Egyptian culture and its
relationship to dance.
Shiraz’s knowledge of dance technique has increased and her style
continues to mature over the years. She dances with a sense of mystery,
beauty and depth. Shiraz currently resides within the United States
near the Kansas City area and studies with Zaina Ali of The Zaina Ali
Academy of Dance.
“There
is vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you
into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this
expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through
any other medium and will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not
your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with
other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and
directly, to keep the channel open.”- Martha Graham
