“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”  -Albert Einstein

Born and raised in the cornfields of Pennsylvania, Na’la first discovered belly dance in 2000, when she was shown a Turku video featuring the Ghawazee dancers (now Zafira). It was love at first sight! She started studying tribal style with Bambi (VA), cabaret with Bonita (VA), and religiously studied the FCBD instructional series. She co-founded Shakra in late 2002, and by 2004 Shakra was becoming well known as a unique student performance art troupe with a style all their own.   Na’la’s choreography and personal style grew from a fusion of all her past experiences. She has studied with Donna Majia (MA), Mira Betz (CA), Amy Sigil of Unmata (CA), Rachel K Brookmire (DC), Zafira (PA), Asharah (CA), Uzume (NL), Domba (AZ), Sylvia Soumah (DC), Marcia Howard (DC) as well as, many international and local teachers. She completed the Sahara Dance teacher training in 2010,and is honored to be a teacher in such a vibrant and inspiring dance community. Na'la's secret hope is that her students will incorporate what they learn into their own artistic dance expression, and feel more connected to their bodies through movement. She looks forward to being a student for the rest of her life and sharing her joy of learning with her students.

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