About Zoh'ra

A lifelong dancer, Zoh'ra is a multi-talented performance artist who has also graced the stage as a classic musician and jazz vocalist.  When she discovered the profound emotion, elegance and joy of Egyptian dance, Zoh'ra fell whole-heartedly in love with this beautiful art form.  A rising star on the Midwest bellydance scene, she is a devoted instructor and popular performer.  Recently, Zoh'ra was deeply honored to dance for Dina of Egypt.

Zoh’ra is a Moroccan name, meaning a source of radiance or light.  It is her intention to honor that name in all that she does.

A lifelong dancer and performance artist, Zoh’ra trained at the Ruth Page School of Dance in Chicago for 12 years, building a foundation in classical ballet and folk dance.  An accomplished musician, vocalist, and writer as well, her stage experience has ranged from musical theater to jazz jams to poetry slams.  Her B.A. in women and gender studies from Amherst College has provided the perfect foundation for her continuing interest and research in the cultural underpinnings of raks sharki, as well as the often hefty price that women pay in order to follow their dance in Egypt and elsewhere.

Zoh'ra has a profound respect for this beautiful art form, and its talented practitioners all over the world.  She has studied with masters from Egypt, Israel, Canada and the U.S., including those she considers her biggest influences: Dina, Hadia, Orit Maftsir, Yousry Sharif, Cassandra, Aziza, and Jim Boz.  She is level two certified in Hadia's Middle Eastern Dance teacher training.    
 
A popular performer throughout the Midwest, Zoh'ra is a gifted teacher, breaking down movements with clarity and humor, and setting them in physical, musical and cultural context.  Her focus in instruction is Oriental, with a foundation in Egyptian style in its rich diversity; however, she regularly forays into fusion, tribal and folkloric.   

Zoh'ra studies with master instructors at every opportunity: 

International

Yousry Sharif, b. Egypt / NY

Dina, Egypt

Hadia, Canada

Aida Nour, Egypt

Faten Salama, b. Egypt / Virginia

Orit Maftsir, Israel

Mohammed el Hosseny, Egypt

Meera, India / CA

Karim Nagi

U.S.

Cassandra, Minnesota
Morocco, New York

Aziza, Seattle / Canada

Artemis Mourat

Jim Boz

Carolena Nericcio

Jasmine Jahal

Maleeha

Tarik Sultan

Locally

Zayna
Nilaja
Sonya of Chicago

Zoh'ra's Jewels
Zoh'ra's student troupe consists of dedicated dancers with a range of styles, personalities and abilities, some of whom have studied with Zoh'ra since 2006.  Her students continue to be Zoh'ra's greatest teachers and source of inspiration.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love!  The Jewels are invited to perform at events throughout the Chicagoland area.