Artistic director
Zahara has been dancing and performing since the age of seven, assisting classmates and participating in performing arts shows. After receiving several accolades from Bollywood/Indo-Canadian Dance Competitions, she needed something more challenging. Therefore, she pursued further training in Middle Eastern dance after learning it initially at the age of twelve.
She has been trained in Egyptian Raks-Sharki, Moorish Flamenco, American Tribal Style (ATS) and Tribal Fusion Bellydance. She has trained dancers of all levels and ages in the dance style of Bollywood and Bellydance. She enjoyed performing and choreographing bellydance with her dance groups, ‘Dancers of the Nile’ and ‘Kindred Hips’ that perform at the PNE Fair annually and at the Ismaili Walk.
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Zahara has acted and danced in two Theatrical Productions, the first being, ‘Yaqzaan: The Awakened’ which traveled across Canada in 2002 and the second, ‘Conference of the Birds’ which was in BC in 2012. She was also the Movement Coach for the later production.
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During her three-half year term as Performing Arts Convener she not only managed local shows and events but became the Artistic Director of three of her own Dance Productions that took place at the Pacific Coliseum: Lights of Culture (2010); Magical Journey That’s Larger Than Life (2011); Spirit Within (2012). She also managed and coached a Cheerleading team, Vancouver Spirit Squad, for a three day sports event at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
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Furthermore, she was the Entertainment Manager of the Ismaili Walk for six years that occurred annually at Stanley Park to raise funds for local organizations such as Heart & Stroke Foundation, YWCA: Cause We Care House, VGH/UBC Hospital Foundation and Canadian Mental Health Association.
She is passionate about contributing her skills, talents and abilities to making any show, event and production a success.
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She is the Dance Choreographer and back-up dancer to the Canadian Film Fall Back Down and hopes to have more of these fun opportunities.
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Zahara is a member of MEDA, Middle Eastern Dance Association and feels it’s important to stay connected to the current and local middle eastern dance events.
She pursues avenues for growth and challenge to enhance the art and skill of dance and she enjoys sharing these with her students, dancers and fellow artists.
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Above all, Zahara believes that dance has holistic benefits, allowing one not only to be in tune with the body, but also the mind and spirit.
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Zahara is very excited to share her 32-year dance knowledge and love of dance to the world.
