Her Story (Biography)
Shiraz began her journey in Middle Eastern dance over 7 years ago and immediately fell deeply in love with the beautiful art form. She continues to study extensively under Shahrzad of VA, and Latifa of MD, both nationally acclaimed and respected dancers; as well as taking workshops with the best national & international belly dance artists of the day. Shiraz is continually deepening her knowledge, appreciation,  and understanding of the Middle East, currently through Arabic and anthropology course study at the University of Delaware, including travel and stay in Middle Eastern countries such as Tunisia – where she lived and studied for over a month, and independent research. Shiraz is a graduate of Sahra Saeeda’s renowned Journey Through Egypt 1 and 2 certification courses. In addition to belly dance, Shiraz is almost finished obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology (with a Middle Eastern concentration) along with an Islamic Studies w/ Arabic Language minor at the University of Delaware.
Today, Shiraz has grown to be a top professional in her area. She is a featured dancer every weekend at the Marrakesh, Casablanca Night Club, Cazbar, Fez, S&H Kebab House, Byblos, Tobacco Center & Cafe, and other Philadelphia, Maryland and Delaware area establishments; as well as appearing at numerous special events such as weddings, haflas, birthday and holiday celebrations,and has appeared on national television shows, news channels, and MTV. In 2010 Shiraz competed in three categories and won five awards in Za-Beth’s National Belly Dance Competition in Boston, MA: 1st place & People’s Choice for the Drum Solo, 2nd place & People’s Choice for the Belly Dancer of the Year, and 2nd place for the Improvisation to a Live Band. In 2010 Shiraz was also one of twenty-three contestants featured in America’s first ever belly dance TV show, Project BellyDance- The Search for America’s Next Top Belly Dancer, hosted by Michelle Joyce of Cheeky Girls Productions and Lotus Niraja. Shiraz and Brian Feister of DreamStar Studios direct Delaware’s annual Shimmies for the Cure event, a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the state’s most prestigious belly dance show. Shiraz loves to donate her time and talent to dance in benefits  and charity functions such as those for Haiti relief, the Delaware Food Bank, and the Girl Scouts, in addition to many other community events to raise cultural awareness and appreciation of the Middle East.
Shiraz finds an untapped mystery, sweetness, sacredness, and liberating bliss in everyday life that empowers, inspires, and truly moves her in the dance, an expression of all the elements, chapters, and emotions of life. A passionate and emotive performer, her dance is always evolving in her classy signature style. She creatively embodies the essence of belly dance, both ancient and modern. A theatrical artist and innovative choreographer, Shiraz amazes her audience by dancing with the utmost technique and artistry, sincere emotion, and cultural awareness, as well as incorporating thrilling props such as veils, zills (Arabic finger cymbals), Isis wings, Egyptian assaya (cane), swords (balancing one or two!), candle tray, fan veils,  and more.
She is also a Belly Dance Instructor available for group and private lessons, as well as belly dance workshops. She currently hosts belly dancing classes in Newark and Wilmington Delaware and is available for workshops nation-wide. Her teaching is infused with strong technique, supportive encouragement, the necessary cultural background and awareness, and a sincere love and passion for the art form; all providing a safe and beautiful environment for students to learn the ancient dance.
