Desert Dancers
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About Us
The Desert Dancers members:
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.
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 Vlahoos,
and is taking monthly workshops from Yasmina, the most graceful and
beautiful dancer she knows.
Sahara - Sahara orginally 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.
Shaliney - Shaliney has been dancing for 15 years. She started whenshe 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.
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
teachs 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!"
Zoe - Zoe started bellydance 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.
Marisha - One year ago, Marisha decided to try something new and take a beginning Turkish/Egyptian dance class in Flagstaff, Arizona expecting only to have a little fun. Not only did she have an amazing time, but also came to find out that dancing was something in her life she could not do without. Learning from her first instructor, Karen Custer Thurston, Marisha was able to practice and perform with the lovely ladies from the troupe, Al Rakasaat. After several months of dancing with Karen and her troupe, Marisha moved to Southern Arizona to make a new start. Now apart of the Desert Dancers, she has performed at Art in the Alley in Casa Grande and at Casa Grande High School’s 1st annual Choreographer’s Showcase. She looks forward to learning from Samra and is grateful for the new friends she has made. 
Latifah - Latifah has been dancing since 2007. She was introduced toPythias 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.
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 throughtout 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.
Na'ilah - Na'ilah started dancing in 2007. Finding a class in the CasaGrande Park 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.
Zahirah - Zahirah is the newest member of the Desert Dancers. She
started taking belly dance lessons through the Casa Grande Park and
Recreation. A group of friends asked if she would like to try it out; now
she is the only one left from that group dancing. Zahirah has taken
instruction from Sasha and Shaliney, and is currently learning new moves
from Samra. She has been dancing for almost one year, but is
very eager to learn and absorb all that she can from all the
wonderful Desert Dancers. Zahirah has performed at the Pinal and
Maricopa County Fairs and at Art In the Alley in Casa Grande.
*Special thank you to Joe McKiernan (www.jmacsphoto.com) and Arielle Miller for providing the photographs on our website.
