Meet Zaira
Professional belly dancer and instructor for over twenty-five years
ZAIRA'S STORY
The pursuit of fusing and nurturing the ethnic traditions that promote, present, and preserve dance art in a positive light
Zaira is a professional belly dancer that engages in performances both domestically and internationally to promote professional development and show the beauty of classical Egyptian Oriental, American, and Turkish Cabaret dancing. She specializes in both choreography and improvisation. Born and raised in southern Louisiana, she is truly a southern bell that has always been involved in the arts.
After graduating from college, Zaira moved to Dallas/Fort Worth where she joined a local bellydance class for fun and exercise. Several years later, she emerged as an instructor and a popular entertainer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Years later, Zaira moved to New England where she taught local classes and workshops. She returned to Dallas and formed a professional performance troupe called The Desert Diamonds. She has moved to Melbourne, Florida where she continues to teach workshops all over the United States and has opened her own belly dance academy called Melbourne Belly Dancing Space Coast. She is the owner and director of the academy and the performing Melbourne Belly Dance Troupe.
The name Zaira means blooming flower in Hebrew
rose in Arabic, princess in Irish
Zaira is a former teacher for numerous dance studios, the University of North Texas, and TCU University, and the prestigious Authentic Bellydance Academy of Dallas, TX. She is certified by many different master Egyptian instructors as well as Zumba, Aerobic, and CPR/First Aid. She offers Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro lessons. She was the co-director and choreographer of the Academy’s professional group who are 1st place winners of the US Ahlan Cairo Nights Troupe Dance competition, and featured in news and dvd’s across the US.
She was also the Director of The Arabesque Dancers, the Emerald Sands, and The Desert Diamonds. She also supports and encourages all bellydancers to participate in other organizations in the pursuit of fusing and nurturing the ethnic traditions that promote, present, and preserve this dance art in a positive light. She is also a great mentor. It is her goal to encourage each and every student to maximize their fullest potential, while having fun and enjoying this unique art.
Being a perpetual student herself, Zaira often participates in domestic and international workshops and seminars to futher her knowledge in this majestic art form.
Accomplishments
Professional Accomplishments
- 2006 US Queen of Raks Sharqi Troupe Champion, Troupe co-Director
- 2007 Bellydancer of the Year Competitor, Soloist
- 2013 Judge for Sadiyya’s Shimmy Showdown Competition
- Workshop Host, Workshop Instructor, and former teacher at TCU in Fort Worth, TX
Professional Teaching Experience
- Authentic Bellydancing Academy Dallas, TX
- Workshops, Louisiana, Texas, New England area
- Broadway Performing Arts Center in New Hampshire, Dallas and Chicago, IL.
- Curves in Merrimack, New Hampshire
- Paper Moon Dance Studio in Merrimack, New Hampshire
- Scheherezade’s Fantasies Studio Fort Worth, TX
- Texas Christian University (TCU) Fort Worth, TX and the University of North Texas
- 24Hour Fitness – Bellydance Aerobic Instructor, Certified
- Curves Bellydance Aerobic and Zumba Instructor
- Barbara’s Dance Studio Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
- Melbourne Belly Dancing Space Coast Workshops Melbourne, FL
-
West Melbourne Veterans Memorial Recreational Center West Melbourne, FL
- Nicole Cote School of Dance, Palm Bay, FL and many others
TRAINED IN
- Certified Egyptian Dance; Folk and Raks Sharqi
- Turkish Cabaret/Oriental
- Turkish Romani
- Ballet
- Certified Aerobic Instructor / Group X/ 24 Hour Fitness
- Certified Zumba Instructor
- First Aid/CPR
Our Community
You’re invited to join the local Melbourne Belly Dance community! Check out our classes and see which one is right for you.