THE PURPLE ROSES OF CAIRO

Afsana
I started dancing at the Shadia Dahlal Studio in February 2005. I had no background in dance and I had no idea what to expect or if I would be any good at dancing. I came to class to get out of the house, meet people, make new friends and get some exercise. Little did I know what my journey would be and how belly dance would change my life forever. Always wanting to learn and absorb as much as I can about many different cultures and dance styles I will forever be a student of dance. The bond between others that enjoy this hobby as much as I do... it's just amazing. I have meet the most interesting people and continue to grow and learn from them every day. Afsana Dahlal

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Amaryllis

Position: Instructor/Social Networking Director
Amaryllis came to Shadia's studio in July of 2008. Always in love with the art of dancing, she found bellydance as she was drumming with a group of women during a festival. It was at that moment she fell in love completely with this magickal and ancient art. At the tender age of 39 and with the total love and support of her husband, she was finally able to pursue her love of bellydance. With the support and instruction and guidance of Shadia her dream of becoming not only a bellydancer, but a "Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Tribal Rose" became a reality. She has also been assisting in classes and has recently begun teaching a level 1 bellydance technique class. With love for this amazing art, desire and a lot of hard work we can do anything we want to do.

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Ambriael
Ambriael has been studying with Shadia since 2005, she has performed at many events every year in both group and solo performances. She first learned Egyption style dance and has grown to love all forms of Arabic dance.

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Farideh
Farideh joined the BELLY DANCE ACADEMY OF TULSA in 2000 and has taught different level classes and performed with the Purple Roses of Cairo for many years, both in a troupe setting and as a soloist. She has also choreographed several of the Troupe dances for Summerstage. Her other "love" is Flamenco.

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Karimah
Karimah has been with BELLY DANCE ACADEMY OF TULSA for 3 years, and became a Purple Rose in 2008. At Oktoberfest she became a Tribal Rose in 2009. She’s made great friends and everyday has been a blast!

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Karisa
Karisa began belly dancing at Shadia’s studio in Nov of 2005. She started out at the studio shy, quiet, and unsure of herself,and has now transformed into a confident woman and performer. Performing has become one of her greatest joys in life and she attributes her success to her wonderful teachers and fellow dancers. She is a member of both the Purple Roses and Tribal Roses and has performed at SS ’09, SS ’10, Mayfest, Oktoberfest, Talking Drum Restaurant, and Star Avenue Hookah Lounge. She plans to continue studying dance through out her life and to perform any chance she gets. “ Dance has transformed me as a person, it has bridged the gap between my soul and the world around me, when I’m dancing I can feel no sorrow, loss, anxiety, or fear. It’s an on top of the world feeling. To dance is to be free and unattainable, like an eagle flying in a valley under a warm sunset. Sacred, tranquil, and forever. “

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Mahsati
Mahsati Dahlal joined the Belly Dance Academy of Tulsa in 2002 in order to study with Shadia Dahlal. It didn't take long to realize that the world of belly dance was where she wanted to be, she was home. Mahsati joined the Nawar student troupe in 2003 and participated in her first Summer Stage performance that same year. In January of 2004 she joined the Purple Roses of Cairo and that same year became one of the founding members of the Tribal Roses tribal fusion troupe. As a member of both troupes she has had the honor of placing 2nd in the Choreography Project competition in Austin with the Tribal Roses and 1st place the following year with the Purple Roses of Cairo. Wow what a ride!! Mahsati has had the pleasure to study with Mishaal, Meera, Z-Helene, Mahmoud Reda, Aziza Nawal, Hadia, Nourhan Sharif, Zoe Jakes, Sharon Kihara, Rachel Brice (the Goddess), and Suhaila Salimpour (the Queen of us all). "Belly dance WILL change your life!"

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Marisa
Marisa is the daughter of Shadia Dahlal. She has been dancing most of her life and performing since the age of 12. Currently, she is a member of the Purple Roses of Cairo and has performed at various local venues and events, including restaurants, fundraisers for civic organizations, and private parties. She also had the lead role in Tulsa Folkloric Dance Theatre's 2009 production of "Cafe Aman: The American Dream" at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. She has studied with many dancers, including Fahtiem, Maleeha, and Yousry Sharif. Marisa has 3 dance goals that she has yet to achieve: study with Argentinean belly dancer Asmahan, perform a duet with her mother, and become a dance teacher.

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Sofia
Although she grew up Greek dancing at festivals and social functions, Sofia never had formal dance instruction prior to joining the BELLY DANCE ACADEMY OF TULSA in late 2003. She simply loves to dance....and the studio has given her instruction, discipline, and an outlet for her passion. Sofia has performed as both a troupe member and soloist in SummerStage for several years, as well as other studio events.

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Sue
As a little girl, Sue always wanted to learn to dance, but never had the opportunity to take lessons. So as an adult, when she read an advertisement for belly dance lessons, she wanted to make up for lost time. Her first opportunity to dance on-stage was Oktoberfest. Although she was nervous, she figured if she could dance in public, she could do anything. She was inducted into the Purple Roses in 2009.

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Yasmeen
Yasmeen has always been fascinated with Middle Eastern dance. The expression of feminine sensuality and beauty in the dance were the quailities that attracted her most. She saw her first belly dancer at a Moroccan Restaurant in Denver, Co in 2004. This inspired her to pursue a journey to study this art form of dance. In the fall of 2007 she sought out a professional studio to study, and began taking classes at Belly Dance Academy of Tulsa under Shadia Dahlal. Shadia has provided excellent instruction on belly dance basics, choreography, improvisation, stage presence, as well as a variety of venues to perform. All of these, Yasmeen feels, help give a dancer confidence and create a well rounded and visually appealing dancer. Yasmeen is currently a member of the Purple Roses of Cairo and is furthering her dance repertoire by studying Tribal Fusion belly dance. She hopes to continue to prerect her form as a dancer, and inspire others to dance.

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Xuemei
Upon joining the BELLY DANCE ACADEMY OF TULSA in 2005, Xuemei didn’t realize what a fascinating and enthralling new world belly dance was going to open up for her. Since then, she explored her hidden potential and found the balance between life and career. While pursuing personal improvement through practice and performance, she is experiencing an enriched life dancing has to offer. Being honored to join the Purple Roses of Cairo, she is also a founding member of China Roses, performing Chinese folk dances at SummerStage, Oktoberfest and various culture events.

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THE TRIBAL ROSES

Afsana	Amaryllis	Karimah	Karisa
Mahsati	Sofia

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN:

Nadira		Paola	Arania	Samira
Kalena		Tahia	Sunya	Sahana

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