About Zaira
“I see dance being used as a communication between body and soul, to express what is too deep, too fine for words.”
~Ruth St. Denis.
Zaira al Zahara is a DC-area belly dance artist. She can be seen performing as a soloist; as a member of Egyptian Master Instructor Faten Salama's "Al Massraweya" Egyptian Folkloric Dance group; and with dance partner Leyla Fahada in their duo "Indra Lazul." Indra Lazul dances at public and private events and often performs with Telesma, the Baltimore-based world rock band, at concerts and festivals throughout the east coast.
In 2009, Zaira placed 2nd runner-up and won Ms. Congeniality in National Champion category the 1st annual Bellydance Nationals Competition (BDNC) in Baltimore, MD.
As a performer, Zaira is sassy and engaging, and with impressive technique and creativity. She dances wonderfully with veil, sword, cane, excels at playing finger cymbals (zills), floorwork, percussive drum solos and taqsim movements. Her love and understanding of music is apparent in her interpretations of complex Middle Eastern and other music.
With a background of ballroom, ballet, West African and hip hop, Zaira began studying belly dance in the summer of 2002 and quickly dedicated herself to serious study of the art form. Her continuous training includes Egyptian and American Cabaret, Folkloric, Tribal Fusion, and Turkish belly dance. Zaira notes her long-term teachers: Tammie Rae, Malika Negwa, Piper, Yasmin and the currently the inimitable Faten Salama as big influences in her dance journey.
In 2009, Zaira placed 2nd runner-up and won Ms. Congeniality in National Champion category the 1st annual Bellydance Nationals Competition (BDNC) in Baltimore, MD.
As a performer, Zaira is sassy and engaging, and with impressive technique and creativity. She dances wonderfully with veil, sword, cane, excels at playing finger cymbals (zills), floorwork, percussive drum solos and taqsim movements. Her love and understanding of music is apparent in her interpretations of complex Middle Eastern and other music.
With a background of ballroom, ballet, West African and hip hop, Zaira began studying belly dance in the summer of 2002 and quickly dedicated herself to serious study of the art form. Her continuous training includes Egyptian and American Cabaret, Folkloric, Tribal Fusion, and Turkish belly dance. Zaira notes her long-term teachers: Tammie Rae, Malika Negwa, Piper, Yasmin and the currently the inimitable Faten Salama as big influences in her dance journey.
