Arabina Dance Company Performers
DILEK, multi award winning artist
For booking and classes/workshops:
619-459-4894
Co-Founder, Promotional Director, Assisting Artistic Manager and Principal Dancer
http://www.turkishdancer.com
Dilek is one of the two founders of the Arabina Dance Company and senior member and principal dancer.
Dilek is originally Turkish, born and raised in Istanbul.
She came to the US to study her Master's in Finance and Computer Science. She works as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer for a software development firm in La Jolla, and profesionally performs weekly. She has multiple awards. Just recently she received 2nd place in Wiggles of the West Entertainer Category.
Dilek is the first Hall of Fame in Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition with 3 solo titles and one group title.
She was the 2010 and 2009 Belly Dancer of the Universe Champion, also Champion in Taksim Category, First Runner Up in the Universal Category, and Third Runner Up in the Veil Category in Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, 2008. She won the First Place in Veil Category, and Second Place in Solo Cabaret Competition in Arabesque Belly Dance Competition, 2007. She also won the First Place in NATCMED, with one of the judge being Mahmoud Reda, Belly Dance Competition in Hawaii, 2007, and Favorite Dancer in Choreography Project organized by Assaf to Mahmoud Reda Tribute, 2006. Dilek also received Second Runner Up place in Zaghareet Best Kept Secret award, 2007
Dilek is a Level II from Suhaila Salimpour Format, and completed her Level II, Jamila Salimpour Format. Dilek will continue with Level III, and Jamila Level III in 2012.
She has been trained in Turkish styles, and Arabic styles including Egyptian and Lebanese. She has strong, lively, unique styles with amazing Turkish drops, exciting drum solos, and sensous floorwork. Her specialties; sword, candle tray, shamadan, finger cymbals, Isis Wings, Saidi Cane.
She is available for workshops.
For booking and classes/workshops:
619-459-4894
Co-Founder, Promotional Director, Assisting Artistic Manager and Principal Dancer
http://www.turkishdancer.com
Dilek is one of the two founders of the Arabina Dance Company and senior member and principal dancer.
Dilek is originally Turkish, born and raised in Istanbul.
She came to the US to study her Master's in Finance and Computer Science. She works as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer for a software development firm in La Jolla, and profesionally performs weekly. She has multiple awards. Just recently she received 2nd place in Wiggles of the West Entertainer Category.
Dilek is the first Hall of Fame in Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition with 3 solo titles and one group title.
She was the 2010 and 2009 Belly Dancer of the Universe Champion, also Champion in Taksim Category, First Runner Up in the Universal Category, and Third Runner Up in the Veil Category in Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, 2008. She won the First Place in Veil Category, and Second Place in Solo Cabaret Competition in Arabesque Belly Dance Competition, 2007. She also won the First Place in NATCMED, with one of the judge being Mahmoud Reda, Belly Dance Competition in Hawaii, 2007, and Favorite Dancer in Choreography Project organized by Assaf to Mahmoud Reda Tribute, 2006. Dilek also received Second Runner Up place in Zaghareet Best Kept Secret award, 2007
Dilek is a Level II from Suhaila Salimpour Format, and completed her Level II, Jamila Salimpour Format. Dilek will continue with Level III, and Jamila Level III in 2012.
She has been trained in Turkish styles, and Arabic styles including Egyptian and Lebanese. She has strong, lively, unique styles with amazing Turkish drops, exciting drum solos, and sensous floorwork. Her specialties; sword, candle tray, shamadan, finger cymbals, Isis Wings, Saidi Cane.
She is available for workshops.
VILIA, multi award winning artist
For booking and classes/workshops: 858-232-7417
Co-Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer of Arabina Dance Company
http://www.viliadance.com
Vilia is an award winning Middle Eastern dance performer, choreographer and instructor based in San Diego, California. An accomplished and
popular dance soloist, Vilia has performed and currently performs at numerous professional venues throughout Southern California. In addition to being on staff as a Middle Eastern dance instructor at the University of California San Diego, Vilia also choreographs and directs the professional Middle Eastern dance company Arabina which performs regularly for public and private venues.
Currently studying with the renowned Suhaila Salimpour, Vilia has achieved Level II certification in the Suhaila format and continuously strives to improve her dance technique. A former student and instructor of ballet, tap and jazz dance styles, Vilia's primary goal is to use every facet of her dance expertise and extensive training to expose, educate and entertain others in the art of Middle Eastern Dance. Through this dance form, Vilia has found a onduit
through which to express her creativity and to help others experience and participate in what she considers to be a beautiful and moving art form. Vilia is available for workshops.
HEATHER, multi award winning artist, YogaFit Level 3 Certified Yoga Instructor
For classes/private Yoga sessions: 619-813-7498
Principal Dancer and Co-Choreographer
www.heatherbellydance.com
Heather was first captivated by belly dance in 2005. Since then she has been dedicated to feeding her insatiable appetite for this mesmerizing art. She draws on her extensive background as a musician to guide her body through the complex, exotic melodies and rhythms that comprise Middle Eastern music. Heather uses her yoga practice as a means to allow her inner beauty to shine to the surface. This, along with her natural grace and talent, combine to make Heather an elegant and captivating performer.
In 2009, Maha Dansari, a belly dance fusion troupe co-founded by Heather, received the 3rd place award at the Wiggles of the West competition in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Congeniality award at the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition. She enjoys sharing the gift of dance to all audiences, from large theatres to Renaissance Faire goers to small audiences at private events.
Heather has been performing regularly with Arabina Dance Company since 2008. She currently studies with Vilia and continues her dance education through workshops from well-respected instructors in an effort to further refine a style unique to her. Among Heather's most influential instructors are Mariela and Julie Lively. She has also received instruction from Dilek, Heather Stants, Sabrina Fox, Leyla Jouvana, Mesmera, Dondi, Sashi, Kami Liddle, Moria, Jillina, Sonia, Onca O’Leary, Suhaila Salimpour, Aziza, and Carolena Nericcio.
Heather's ever-expanding repertoire includes: finger cymbals, cane, sword, fans, fire fans, candles, candelabra, Isis wings, veil, tambourine, Thai fingers, Gypsy fusion, Arabic, Turkish, American Tribal Style, Tribal fusion, and drum solo.
Principal Dancer and Co-Choreographer
www.heatherbellydance.com
Heather was first captivated by belly dance in 2005. Since then she has been dedicated to feeding her insatiable appetite for this mesmerizing art. She draws on her extensive background as a musician to guide her body through the complex, exotic melodies and rhythms that comprise Middle Eastern music. Heather uses her yoga practice as a means to allow her inner beauty to shine to the surface. This, along with her natural grace and talent, combine to make Heather an elegant and captivating performer.
In 2009, Maha Dansari, a belly dance fusion troupe co-founded by Heather, received the 3rd place award at the Wiggles of the West competition in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Congeniality award at the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition. She enjoys sharing the gift of dance to all audiences, from large theatres to Renaissance Faire goers to small audiences at private events.
Heather has been performing regularly with Arabina Dance Company since 2008. She currently studies with Vilia and continues her dance education through workshops from well-respected instructors in an effort to further refine a style unique to her. Among Heather's most influential instructors are Mariela and Julie Lively. She has also received instruction from Dilek, Heather Stants, Sabrina Fox, Leyla Jouvana, Mesmera, Dondi, Sashi, Kami Liddle, Moria, Jillina, Sonia, Onca O’Leary, Suhaila Salimpour, Aziza, and Carolena Nericcio.
Heather's ever-expanding repertoire includes: finger cymbals, cane, sword, fans, fire fans, candles, candelabra, Isis wings, veil, tambourine, Thai fingers, Gypsy fusion, Arabic, Turkish, American Tribal Style, Tribal fusion, and drum solo.
REBECCA, multi award winning artist
Principal Dancer and Co-Choreographer , also Professional Flamenco Performer
Rebecca Nishimura (Alexa) began her dance training in her lates teens after becoming intrigued by the sultry performance of a belly dancer at a Renaissance fair. She studied belly dance with instructors, Ninah Sahar and Aziza Sa'id. Seeking to add intensity to her dancing, Rebecca simultaneously studied Spanish flamenco with instructors Ester Moreno, Juanita Franco and Sara Olivar. Rebecca also earned a BA in dance at the University of California, San Diego, with an emphasis in modern dance. Rebecca has performed with dance companies; Blue Lotus, Ole Flamenco and Flamenco Olivar. She currently performs both belly dance and flamenco in San Diego.
Rebecca Nishimura (Alexa) began her dance training in her lates teens after becoming intrigued by the sultry performance of a belly dancer at a Renaissance fair. She studied belly dance with instructors, Ninah Sahar and Aziza Sa'id. Seeking to add intensity to her dancing, Rebecca simultaneously studied Spanish flamenco with instructors Ester Moreno, Juanita Franco and Sara Olivar. Rebecca also earned a BA in dance at the University of California, San Diego, with an emphasis in modern dance. Rebecca has performed with dance companies; Blue Lotus, Ole Flamenco and Flamenco Olivar. She currently performs both belly dance and flamenco in San Diego.
MAREN, Principal Dancer
Maren enjoys performing and learning about all types of Middle-Eastern dance. In addition to belly dance, she has an extensive background in ballet, modern and jazz. She was a member of San Diego's post-modern Al Germani Dance Company. Maren is also currently involved in the modern day, traditional burlesque company, a bit o' Burlesque. She has studied Middle-Eastern dance under several teachers, enjoying the diversity of movement and essence. She was excited to discover Suhaila Salimpour's technique several years ago. Her favorite dances include classic styles, fusion, drum, sword, and double veil.
LAUREL
Laurel has loved the performing and creative fine arts since childhood. She grew up playing flute and piano, as well as studying and performing many types of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, character, ballroom, swing, and latin dance. As an adult Laurel has enjoyed performing with musical theatre groups, singing and performing with cover bands, as well as becoming a certified fitness and indoor cycling instructor. It was only natural that upon her first belly dance class that she was hooked. Laurel is delighted to be a part of Arabina Dance Company and looks forward to expanding her technique and performance repertoires.
CHRISTINA
Christina’s belly dancing roots started in Santa Fe NM. with her first teacher the lovely and talented Mira Krien. After performing for Pomegranate productions in Mira’s junior company “Ahatti” Christina was quickly elevated into “Mosaic Dance” Santa Fe’s premier Middle Eastern Fusion Dance Company. While in the company Christina performed locally at various venues, weddings, private parties and a monthly show at the prestigious four star Eldorado Hotel in the heart of Santa Fe. One of Christina’s favorite performances was a stage production with the Georges Lammam Ensemble, a highly sought, world renowned Arabic violin virtuoso from Lebanon.
As her dance career blossomed new opportunities opened up outside of New Mexico. Christina has held workshops and performed at conferences and numerous restaurants throughout the country.
Having studied with and attended workshops with Sarah Saeeda(Kent), Suhaila Salimpour, Astryd Farah de Michele, Shareen el Safy (editor of Habbibi magazine), Jill Parker of Ultra Gypsy based out of San Francisco and many more Christina has created a style all her own. Bringing intense emotion and strength to every performance she expresses her true joy of and for the dance, her favored stylization is classical Egyptian, aka Raks Sharqi with a particular instrumental passion for the Arabic violin.
Currently working on her masters’ degree in acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Christina’s focus is on the integration of ancient healing practices with cutting edge approaches to health and fitness. Other interests include a strong passion for yoga, body sculpting and ballet.
Christina currently teaches Beginning Belly dance classes at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, Where she finds immense joy and power in teaching others how to move there body in new ways.
As her dance career blossomed new opportunities opened up outside of New Mexico. Christina has held workshops and performed at conferences and numerous restaurants throughout the country.
Having studied with and attended workshops with Sarah Saeeda(Kent), Suhaila Salimpour, Astryd Farah de Michele, Shareen el Safy (editor of Habbibi magazine), Jill Parker of Ultra Gypsy based out of San Francisco and many more Christina has created a style all her own. Bringing intense emotion and strength to every performance she expresses her true joy of and for the dance, her favored stylization is classical Egyptian, aka Raks Sharqi with a particular instrumental passion for the Arabic violin.
Currently working on her masters’ degree in acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Christina’s focus is on the integration of ancient healing practices with cutting edge approaches to health and fitness. Other interests include a strong passion for yoga, body sculpting and ballet.
Christina currently teaches Beginning Belly dance classes at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, Where she finds immense joy and power in teaching others how to move there body in new ways.
CLAUDIA, LACIE
BIOS WILL BE POSTED SOON!
BIOS WILL BE POSTED SOON!
