Spotlight Dancer/Troupe
Desert Dancers

The Desert Dancers originally was started in 2002 by four dancers who wanted to share the art of belly dance with the public. We have grown to twelve members and still counting. All of the dancers have two things in common: enthusiasm and love of the dance. We take great pride in giving this art form the respect that it so deserves. Each dancer shows the diversity of their unique style of dance employing Greek, Egyptian, Turkish, Lebanese, Arabic, and Tribal Fusion. We perform regularly at Casa Grande's "Art In The Alley", which is held on the first Tuesday of each month. The Desert Dancers can also be found performing at the annual Christmas Festivities through the Casa Grande Parks and Recreation, Pinal and Maricopa County Fairs, and the Calvin Coolidge Days events. Some of the members of the troupe have had the opportunity to perform in the Phoenix area at various venues. We are also glad to perform for any city, civic, or charity event. The main goal of the Desert Dancers is to have fun, and to bring attention to the joy of belly dancing.  We can be found at www.azdesertdancers.com and www.myspace.com/desertdancerstroupe.
 
Samra:
Samra took her first class in 1975 with a fabulous instructor, Pamelia Meadows.  Samra received instruction from Pamelia for two years and then started teaching classes, and has been doing so on and off since.  Samra performed in and around the Phoenix area for a couple of years and had danced weekly at a local steak house until their closing in the 1980's.  Samra concentrated on taking workshops in California when she could.  Belly dancing became popular again bringing new and fresh ideas into the dance, along with a new generation who was eager to learn the dance.  Over the recent years, Samra has taken workshops with highly respected instructors such as Azita, Adayna, and Yasmina.  Samra thanks all for being such great teachers and dancers.

Sahara:
Sahara originally started dancing in Bisbee, AZ when she was only 15  years old.  After an absence from dancing, she began taking  classes from Nicole in 2002.  Later in 2003 when Nicole moved, she began taking them from Samra.  She has been with the Desert Dancers from the beginning. Sahara is a regular dancer at Art in the Alley.  She is an avid seamstress and makes several of her own costumes.  Sahara enjoys the enrichment in her life that she feels comes when women get together and share their dancing.

Sasha:
Sasha has been dancing for over seven years.  Throughout the years, she has had many great teachers: Cheryl, Nicole, Samra, and Samia.  This style of dance drew her in from the start.  Sasha currently teaches at the Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ.  She had also taught at Casa Grande Parks and Recreation.  She has danced at various events including fairs, restaurants, and most recently at the Bacchanal Greek Restaurant in Phoenix.  Sasha says it is an honor to be a part of the Desert Dancers.  "Thank you, everyone!"
 
Pythias:
Pythias stared taking classes from her friend Samra in 2005, never intending to dance publicly.  Four months later, she danced at Art in the Alley for the first time and has been performing ever since.  Pythias has danced at several fairs, Art in the Alley, birthday parties, and several other venues.  Pythias began teaching for Casa Grande Parks and Recreation in September, 2006, and is currently the intermediate belly dance instructor.  She has taken workshops from Azita, Helena Vlahos, and is taking monthly workshops from Yasmina, the most graceful and beautiful dancer she knows.

Zoe:
Zoe started belly dance lessons with Samra after her friend, Pythias, told her it was a great way to whittle away the waistline and have fun while doing it.  She immediately fell in love with the soft and graceful flow of silk. Zoe joined the Desert Dancers in November 2005, and has been performing since then. She enjoys the fact that the Desert Dancers perform at mostly family venues so her grandchildren can watch her perform.  Zoe loves any slow musical piece where she can spin and twirl to heart's delight.

Nadhirrah:
Nadhirrah was persuaded into taking classes from Samra almost three years ago. She decided she didn't want to perform, but would just take lessons for exercise. Samra had other ideas and within one month, Nadhirrah was out dancing with the rest of the troupe. There was no turning back! Nadhirrah now performs with the Desert Dancers at locations throughout Pinal and Maricopa counties. Nadhirrah enjoys any form of belly dance as well as the accompanying music; especially music with a fast drum beat where she can shimmy to her heart's content! She finds so much joy in dancing, she has gotten her daughter involved in lessons in Casa Grande. Nadhirrah enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for belly dance and is always encouraging others to become involved.
 
Shaliney:
Shaliney has been dancing for 15 years. She started when she saw Yasmina's public access show and said I can do that!  Next were classes through the Parks and Recreation. Samia was her first instructor for a two and a half years, then she started with Morgiana.  Shaliney also ballroom dances and is a henna artist. Shaliney is the beginning belly dance instructor at Casa Grande Parks and Recreation.  Her favorite dance move?  Shimmies! All over the board! She enjoys Pop/Techno Arabic to get a groove on and anything you can do veil work with.
 
Latifah:
Latifah has been dancing since 2007. She was introduced to Pythias through a mutual friend and has been dancing ever since. Latifah has taken instruction from Pythias, Shaliney, and Samra; with workshops through Yasmina. She has performed at Art In The Alley in Casa Grande, the Bungalow Coffeehouse in Mesa, as well as other venues in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. Latifah's favorite style of dancing is Egyptian and Turkish style.  Her costumes are the most brilliantly colored of the troupe.
 
Na'ilah:
Na'ilah started dancing in 2007. Finding a class in the Casa Grande Parks and Recreation brochure entitled "Belly Dancing for Fun and Fitness", Na'ilah started on the road to becoming a Desert Dancer. She has performed in various events in the Maricopa and Pinal Counties.  Na'ilah has received instruction from Pythias, Samra, and Sasha; as well as participated in workshops through Yasmina. She is always looking for opportunities to learn more about this dance style from everyone who is willing to show her something new and to pass the "good word" about belly dancing to anyone who will listen. Na'ilah loves to dance to music with a fast beat or swaying her veil to some graceful music.  Na'ilah is so passionate about her costumes, she started her own business, the Bedlah Shop.
 
Jemula:
Jemula has been dancing since 2007. She auditioned for the Desert Dancers and to her excitement, was able to join the troupe.  Jemula has performed throughout AZ, including Maricopa and Pinal Counties.  She has taken her talent a bit further, often performing with Isis wings and veils.  Jemula also loves to dance to mid-eastern music with a modern beat.  She continues to learn from long time dancer and director of the Desert Dancers, Samra.  Jemula enjoys the magic of belly dancing and will always perform at her best.  She believes it is a privilege to be a part of the Desert Dancers.

Bisseh:
Bisseh started taking belly dance lessons from Pythias in January, 2007. She has performed in events in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.  Bisseh has received instruction from Pythias, Samra, and Sasha; and has participated in workshops with Yasmina.  She is always willing to try new moves and is a quick learner.  A skilled seamstress, Bisseh creates her own costumes and custom dyes her silk veils to match.  Bisseh always rises to any challenge with a smile.
 
Grasha:
Grasha joined belly dance classes in search of a new hobby.  She found that she enjoyed dancing so much, she wanted to perform for others.  Grasha has been a member for over a year and takes regular lessons from Samra.  She has taken several workshops in the Phoenix area.  Grasha is also an avid Tai Chi instructor for the Casa Grande Parks and Recreation.  She loves being a part of the Desert Dancers.
 
Thank you to Arielle Miller for photographing the troupe, and thanks to J. Mac's photo for permission to use Sasha's photograph.

To contact Desert Dancer's:
website: http://www.azdesertdancers.com/ 
email: desertdancers@hotmail.com
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