Arabina Dance Company Member

BIOS

DILEK

for booking: 619-459-4894

Co-Founder, Director, Principal Dancer
http://www.turkishdancer.com http://www.sandiegobellydance.biz

Dilek is one of the founder of the Arabina Dance Company and senior member and principal dancer. Dilek is originally Turkish, born and raised in Istanbul. She came to the US to study her Master's in Finance and Computer Science. She works as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer for Audio Watermark technology firm in La Jolla, and profesionally performs weekly.

She has multiple awards. Just recently she received 2nd place in Wiggles of the West Entertainer Category. She was the 2010 and 2009 Belly Dancer of the Universe Champion, also Champion in Taksim Category, First Runner Up in the Universal Category, and Third Runner Up in the Veil Category in Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, 2008. She won the First Place in Veil Category, and Second Place in Solo Cabaret Competition in Arabesque Belly Dance Competition, 2007. She also won the First Place in NATCMED, with one of the judge being Mahmoud Reda, Belly Dance Competition in Hawaii, 2007, and Favorite Dancer in Choreography Project organized by Assaf to Mahmoud Reda Tribute, 2006. Dilek also received Second Runner Up place in Zaghareet Best Kept Secret award, 2007

Dilek is a Level II from Suhaila Salimpour Format, and completed her Level II, Jamila Salimpour Format. Dilek will continue with Level III, and Jamila Level III in 2011.

She has been trained in Turkish styles, and Arabic styles including Egyptian and Lebanese. She has strong, lively, unique styles with amazing Turkish drops, exciting drum solos, and sensous floorwork. Her specialties; sword, candle tray, shamadan, finger cymbals, Isis Wings, Saidi Cane.

She is available for workshops.

VILIA

for booking: 858-232-7417

Co-Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer of Arabina Dance Company
http://www.viliadance.com

Vilia is an award winning Middle Eastern dance performer, choreographer and instructor based in San Diego, California. An accomplished and
popular dance soloist, Vilia has performed and currently performs at numerous professional venues throughout Southern California.

In addition to being on staff as a Middle Eastern dance instructor at the University of California San Diego, Vilia also choreographs and directs the professional Middle Eastern dance company Arabina which performs regularly for public and private venues.

Currently studying with the renowned Suhaila Salimpour, Vilia has achieved Level II certification in the Suhaila format and continuously strives to improve her dance technique. A former student and instructor of ballet, tap and jazz dance styles, Vilia's primary goal is to use every facet of her dance expertise and extensive training to expose, educate and entertain others in the art of Middle Eastern Dance. Through this dance form, Vilia has found a onduit
through which to express her creativity and to help others experience and participate in what she considers to be a beautiful and moving art form. Vilia is available for workshops.

HEATHER

Principal Dancer and Co-Choreographer

Heather fell in love with the ancient art of belly dance in 2005. Although somewhat new to the world of dance as a form of artistic expression, she has a firm understanding of music thanks to her 7 years as a musician. This, along with her natural grace and talent, combine to make Heather an elegant and captivating performer.

Among Heather's most influential instructors are Mariela and Julie Lively. In addition to performing, she continues to study with multiple teachers around the San Diego area in an effort to further refine a style unique to her.

Heather is skilled at performing with zils, veil, sword, candles, and Mulan fans.

REBECCA

Principal Dancer and Co-Choreographer

Rebecca Nishimura (Alexa) began her dance training in her lates teens after becoming intrigued by the sultry performance of a belly dancer at a Renaissance fair. She studied belly dance with instructors, Ninah Sahar and Aziza Sa'id. Seeking to add intensity to her dancing, Rebecca simultaneously studied Spanish flamenco with instructors Ester Moreno, Juanita Franco and Sara Olivar. Rebecca also earned a BA in dance at the University of California, San Diego, with an emphasis in modern dance. Rebecca has performed with dance companies; Blue Lotus, Ole Flamenco and Flamenco Olivar. She currently performs both belly dance and flamenco in San Diego.

MAREN

Maren enjoys performing and learning about all types of Middle-Eastern dance. In addition to belly dance, she has an extensive background in ballet, modern and jazz. She was a member of San Diego's post-modern Al Germani Dance Company. Maren is also currently involved in the modern day, traditional burlesque company, a bit o' Burlesque. She has studied Middle-Eastern dance under several teachers, enjoying the diversity of movement and essence. She was excited to discover Suhaila Salimpour's technique several years ago. Her favorite dances include classic styles, fusion, drum, sword, and double veil.

ALETHEA

Alethea started belly dancing about four years ago after watching an amazing performance in a local restaurant. She began my training with the graceful & talented Morwenna Assaf and the Raks El Anwar dance troupe in Oceanside, CA. She took some time off to travel and enjoy many exciting adventures around the world. Since her return in 2007 the passion for dance was reawakened inside her. She feels to be very fortunate to join the Arabina Dance Company in May 2008. She favors the classic arabic rhythms, saidi, beledi and andalusion styles.

Arabina Dance Company Members