LUCIA’S DANCE TROUPES

During her career, Lucia has performed and founded several troupes, including the Sands of Arabia and the Raks Cairo Ensemble. For booking, please contact Lucia.

 

The Sands of Arabia

This professional troupe is one of San Diego’s most popular dance ensembles and performs at weddings, anniversary parties and a variety of other special events. The troupe performs traditional Middle Eastern Dance including Oriental “Belly Dance”, Andalusia style and Folkloric dance. Their repertoire includes props such as sword, Isis wings, shamadan, candle trays, veils, cane, melaya lef and more. They have performed on NBC Television

The Raks Cairo Ensemble

In 2003, Lucia founded this advanced student ensemble, a talented group of lovely performers. The Raks Cairo Ensemble has performed at student recitals, fairs, galas and many special events. Their repertoire includes extensive choreography and diverse props. 

For photos of the troupe, ckeck out the gallery.

 

Marissa

Marissa has been performing professionally with the Sands of Arabia since 2007. Beginning her dance career at age 12, Marissa studied contemporary dance with renowned dancer and choreographer Louise Kawabata and performed frequently with the Great Leap Dance Company from Los Angeles, CA. In 2003, Marissa became enchanted with Middle Eastern Dance. She began studying and performing with the Celebrity Lebanese Artist, Nabila Metwali.

In late 2004, Marissa joined the Enchantresses of the Desert, an ensemble directed by Artist and Choreographer, Pakita. In 2006, Marissa began studying with Meleah, David of Scandinavia and took workshops with many renowned artists, including Anaheed, Talia, Farhana Masry, Leyla Jouvanna and Tito of Egypt. Marissa currently studies with Lucia and is now a Middle Eastern dance instructor.

During her career as a performer, Marissa won 2nd runner up in the Arabesque Belly Dancing Competition-San Diego in 2007 and won 1st place in the City of San Marcos Dance Competition.

Marissa shares her passion for Middle Eastern dance and music with her audience and is dedicated to assisting her students express themselves though the elegant art of Raqs Sharki (belly dance).

Badeah

As an International Artist, Badeah has performed extensively throughout California, Mexico and Hawaii. She has been a professional Middle Eastern Dancer for over 20 years and began dance training with Jamila Salimpour. Badeah was a revered member of Jamila Salimpour’s original dance troupe, Bal Anat in Northern California. She performed with Suhaila Salimpour.

During her dance career, Badeah has studied American Cabaret, Persian Dance, and Egyptian Oriental and Folkloric style of dance. As a result, she has developed a rich, diverse and playful style. She also conducts workshops in Persian Dance.

Badeah delivers a lovely performance with grace and elegance.

Saleema

Saleema has been a professional ballroom dancer and belly dancer for several years in Southern California. She has received training in American Cabaret and Egyptian Style Oriental and Folkloric dance. Saleema has prior troupe experience and has danced in several large-scale theatre productions.  She has studied with renowned local artists including Sohaila, Sahar Sami and Lucia.  Saleema has also taken numerous workshops with Tito Seif of Egypt and has performed his choreographies at many venues.  

During her dance career, Saleema has been a dance instructor so she is available to teach a mini-class at your party or function. She has developed a sassy, graceful and genuine style. Saleema performs with a variety of props including Shamadan, fans, veil, cane and zills. Saleema is a popular dance artist in San Diego and often performs at one of the City’s ‘hot spot’s Ali Baba Cave. 

Tamami

http://www.tamamishirai.com

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Tamami is a Middle Eastern dancer, instructor, and choreographer. Her love of the arts and music began in childhood, was nurtured in college in Tokyo, where she studied psychology, and has deepened through travel, study, or residence in Vietnam, the U.S., Europe, and Egypt.

Tamami's passion for Middle Eastern dance began under the instruction of Somayya, a founder of Japan's Studio 1002 and a protégé of Karima in Japan, who taught Somayya the Egyptian style of dance, and of Sema Yildiz in Turkey, who taught her the Turkish and Roma styles. Beginning with Somayya, Tamami has learned Egyptian-style Middle Eastern dance (including folkloric dance) from the world's top Egyptian dancers in Egypt, Japan, the United States, and Canada. In 2007, Tamami completed the Arabesque Professional Course with Yasmina Ramzy in Toronto, Canada and has also studied Egyptian folkloric dance extensively under Sahra Saeeda (U.S.). Tamami has been a dynamic instructor and choreographer since 2006, always committed to creative stage performance. In 2009, Tamami was honored to join the Sands of Arabia dance troupe led by Lucia.

Zahra

This statuesque artist has been performing with the Sands of Arabia since 2008. Having studied in Germany, Zahra moved to the United States and began taking workshops with notable professionals including Leila of Cairo, Tito Seif, Jilina, Leyla Jouvanna, Lucia and more.

In 2008, Zahra performed aboard the Carnival Elation Cruise ship with the Sands of Arabia. She has performed in several professional Galas in San Diego and diverse venues in Southern California.

Zahra enjoys sharing her love of Middle Eastern dance and music with her audience. Her passion for the complex musicality of Middle Eastern rhythms inspires her performances. Zahra’s repertoire includes fan dances, sword, candle tray, zills and veil props.

"Sands of Arabia" at the Drama Bar Go here to see photos on Elation.
Just click "View Photos". No password neccessary.