| Naiya started her dancing with childhood ballet and tap classes and recitals. These doubtless inspired the series of home performances for the (very) polite neighbors. | Naiya spent most of her free time during her academic career dancing Salsa & Merengue. She continued these classes through college (while riding with the Equestrian Team and collecting degrees.) She became interested in Oriental Dance after moving to California. | |
| Her belly dance training started with Leea Aziz in Walnut Creek. She spent weekends at local festivals and workshops. She began coaching lessons with Monica Berini of San Francisco, with Nanna Candelaria of Berkeley and with Sausan of Sausan Academy. Alyne Hazard of San José taught her the joy and beauty of Double Veils and the art of spinning. | ||
| Naiya continues to take workshops and private lessons to evolve her own personal style and to develop a solid foundation of American Cabaret, Egyptian, Lebanese and Turkish dancing. | She has won 2008 Belly Dancer of the Year Duet, 2008 Double Crown Gemini, 2006 winner Star Fusion Harlequin competition (Latin), 1st Runner-up, 2007 W.O.W. Fusion (Latin), 2007 1st runner-up Belly Dancer of the Universe Veil, 1st Runner-up Best Mini-ensemble W.O.W 2007, 1st Runner-up Belly Dancer of the Year Duet 2006, 2nd runner-up Best mini-ensemble W.O.W 2006, Winner People's Choice Best Duet 2005, Winner Best Troupe, People's Choice Awards, 2nd runner-up Belly Dancer of the Year Troupe 2005 & 2006 | |
| Naiya dances professionally as part of a male-female duet with Numa'ir and as a solo dancer in Bay Area restaurants and clubs. She co-directed and choreographed for Troupe Sahar, a professional belly dance troupe. She also performs in Bad Barbie. | ||
| Naiya & Numa'ir have been invited performers at the 2007 & 2008 Carnival of Stars, at the 2008, 2009 MEDCA Shows and at the 2007, 2008 & 2009 Stellar Advantage Orlando Shows. Naiya performed in Montreal, Canada at Little Egypt's 2007 Dina Show. | Naiya also appeared in a cameo role as the belly-dancing courtesan,Tintinabula, in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In addition to language teaching, Naiya offers belly dance classes at Ohlone College, private coaching lessons and belly aerobics/pilates. | |
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"Dance, like all forms of language, is about communicating: reaching out to speak and to listen." |
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