About Suspira
Suspira has loved the art of dancing all her life. Enchanted by her aunt and sister who were beautiful ballerinas, she begged her mother for dance lessons and began her study of Classical Ballet at age 5. The lessons soon expanded to gymnastics, tap, jazz, african, and modern dance. Suspira began choreographing for local theater groups at age 12, and teaching at age 15. As a dance major in college, she was granted several talent award scholarships and was given the opportunity to work with incredible dancers and companies from around the country, including Alvin Ailey, Elizabeth Streb's Ringside and Jose Limon.Captivated by the beautiful music of the Orient, Suspira began to stray from her Classical roots and developed an intense interest in Bellydance. Falling in love with Arabic music, she knew she had found her true heart in the dances of the Middle East, and later could not resist claiming it as her life's work.
Now a full time professional bellydancer and instructor, she is still constantly working to improve and perfect her craft. Suspira recently resigned as a featured bellydancer at the Walt Disney World Resort in Epcot's Moroccan Pavilion to devote herself entirely to her students and performance companies. She has performed for Saudi Arabian Royalty, the former President of Turkey, the Prince of Morocco and many celebrities including George Lucas, Kelly Ripa, John Stamos, Montell Williams, Cheb Khaled and Mayor Rudoph Guliani and has been featured in television and radio broadcasts across the United States and the Middle East.
With over 15 years of experience in dance instruction, Suspira finds nothing more rewarding than passing on this beautiful and empowering artform to other women. Her passion for teaching leading her, she founded Orlando Bellydance - an exclusive school of Middle Eastern Dance that now holds over 700 students, ranging from beginning to professional, and the winner of WESH Channel 2's "Best Dance Studio in Orlando". She is also the artistic director and choreographer for the performance groups Serpentina Dance Company, Troupe Ahlaam, Gypsy Sa'har and Orlando Dance Theatre, which have gone on to receive extensive media coverage as well as tour the United States and Canada. Suspira's production of "Hipquake" - a full length bellydance themed production featuring her talents as well as her company, Orlando Dance Theatre, was broadcast on Arabic televsion last Fall to critical acclaim. Suspira was also recently crowned first place soloist in the "Honors Oasis of Middle Eastern Dance", a national contest that honors those with outstanding service to the bellydance community in the United States.
Suspira would like to thank all her fellow sisters of the dance who have offered her friendship and inspiration over the years, and to extend a warm welcome to all the newcomers to this beautiful artform.
