Meet The Mas Uda Dancers...
See the Rent a Dancer and Bellydance Party info at the bottom of the this page.
Kashani, Troupe Director
Kashani, autumn 2015 at Aleedra’s Shimmy Happens event
Kashani began dancing with Mas Uda Middle Eastern Dancers in 1989 and began directing Mas-Uda in early 1992. - Prior to that, she took belly dance classes from a variety of instructors and danced with other local groups. - She has taught beginning, intermediate and performance classes since 1992 in a variety of settings:
- wellness programs at workplaces, the YMCA, city parks departments, ballet schools, work sites and at her private studio.
- She is a staff writer (troupe talk) for Jareeda (www.jareeda.com).
- She was Jareeda's featured dancer for September 2005.
- She is also a member of the Middle Eastern Dance Association of Canada.
Kashani is known for her interest in the culture and music of the Middle East and for including this in her teaching. She offers workshops in zills, in troupe management and many other topics and feels that knowledge of the rhythms is essential to learning the dance itself. She is the scheduler for dancers at The Great Cuisine of India restaurant in Olympia. Kashani LOVES to dance and really enjoys the camaraderie that develops among the dancers.
For more info, contact Kashani at (360)459-3694 or - berubej@comcast.net
Basinah
It all started in 2009 with a belly dance fitness show on TV. Then as a birthday gift from her husband she started in some beginner tribal classes. Over the next couple of years, trying a few different styles of belly dance and instructors she has found a home with Mas Uda.
Cindy
Originally from New York, Cindy has lived in nine states in the past twenty-five years. She started taking Jazz as an adult and fell in love with all kinds of dance. She has taken various styles including Ballroom and Latin as well as Middle Eastern Dance. Having moved to Washington in 2006, Cindy began dancing with Mas Uda in January 2007. She would like to thank Mas Uda for welcoming her and making her part of their family. She looks forward to many exciting adventures with her new found dance sisters.
Maja
Maja began lessions with Mas Uda in 2010 and has been delighted to learn about Middle Eastern Dance while working with a great bunch of women. Her only previous dance experience was as a Scandinavian folk dancer - a very different style! In her daytime persona she works in a library. She's an avid quilter and loves making costumes and buying tribal jewelry.
Marhaba
Marhaba has studied dance for quite some time and currently takes class from various teachers in a variety of styles, including tribal. Marhaba enjoys taking as many workshops as she can and is also an avid quilter. She can be counted on to find whatever fabric or trim the troupe needs to complete a specific costume piece. She is a wonderful addition to our troupe, and we all want to raid her costume closet!!!
Mira
Mira added dancing to her life in 2010 and loves learning about the music, technique, choreography, costuming, culture, and spirit of belly dancing. Dancing with her Mas Uda sisters and the rest of the dance community is one of life's great pleasures! Mira has been experimenting with solo work and enjoys continually challenging herself to grow as a dancer.
Troupe Students
Erith Shoshanah
Erith Shoshanah began belly dancing in 2006 with Raks Saar Rah in Centralia, under the direction of Geneva Lombardi and Stephanie Klamn, and continues to dance with the troupe. She studied Egyptian dancing under Susan Embum in Randle, Washington, and currently is a troupe student with Mas Uda. Erith enjoys Middle Eastern and Tribal dancing, and she enjoys workshops in many styles. She enjoys sewing and makes many of her own costume pieces. When not dancing, Erith does volunteer work and enjoys spending time with her husband and four wonderful children.
Heather
Lololi
Lololi began belly dancing with Mas Uda February 2016. She is currently residing in Lakewood, Washington. In her spare time, Lololi enjoys reading, swimming, baking, hiking and watching Disney movies. She is excited to learn the different types of belly dancing and performing with the troupe.
Masika
Masika is a recent graduate of the Evergreen State College. She started dancing when she was a sophomore and has enjoyed it ever since. Despite being nervous speaking in front of crowds, Masika has found dancing in front of an audience to be much more enjoyable. Before getting involved with belly dance she trained in mixed martial arts for four years.
Nuwairah
Former Troupe Members
(20+ years of them!)
Aleedra
Aleedra danced with Mas Uda until 1996. See her website for more info on this former troupe member. http://www.aleedra.com
Amahra
Amahra fell in love with dancing when she was a child taking ballet. She continued dancing in various forms and found bellydance in 2008. She is taking a break from dance for awhile.
Amira
Amira is seen here, dancing at Great Cuisine of India
Amira is now a full time physical therapy doc and recently got married. - She doesn't get home to dance with us much any more.
Ayla Kalyna
Ayla Kalyna has moved to out of the area but still dances with Mas Uda at special events.
Cordelia
Cordelia was moved by the army to Texas and we miss her!
Janaan
Janaan danced with us for more than 7 fabulous years and has now moved on to the adventures of college.
Jumhira
Jumhira has moved out of the area and is busy with her new rural life and raising her boys – we miss her.
Ketzia
Ketzia has a busy life as a newlywed and with returning to college... we hope she'll dance with us again soon.
Kimana
Mas Uda thanks Kimana for her excellent work as our costume consultant and for hosting many sewing projects and workshops. - We wish her well in all future endeavors.
Magda
Magda has put dancing on hold to return to college.
Mirabai
Mirabai danced with Mas Uda until 1991. See her website for more info on this former troupe member. http://www.raks_mirabai.fastmail.fm/
Nayyirah
Nayyirah began taking bellydance classes with Mas Uda in January 2010 and is currently on break from dance.
Rayya
Rayya is busy with work and grandchildren now but still helps out behind the scenes at our April Benefit. - We hope she'll perform with us again sometime!
Razilee
Razilee has recently become a mom and we hope some day she'll be able to rejoin us.
Ruby
Ruby, the 2009 Belly Dancer USA is a former Mas Uda member. See her website for more info on this former troupe member. http://www.divinebelly.com/
Samira
I started taking classes from Kashani in September 2007 and started performing with Mas Uda in April of 2008. I dance with a wonderful group of ladies and I get to satisfy my creative side by making some of my costumes. I'm looking forward to many fun times with the troupe.
Sanura
After 6 years with Mas Uda Sanura is excited to explore new dance styles. - We thank her for a great job as - Mas Uda's web mistress.
Shoshanna
Shoshanna has - recently become a new mom and we hope that she will be back dancing before too long. - We thank her for - her work as a Mas Uda Costume Consultant.
Tajah
Tajah and her friend Zara are the co-directors of Raks Saar-Rah, in the Centralia area. We miss them both!
Triskell
Triskell danced with Mas Uda for a couple of years and has moved on to try other styles of dance.
Zara-Neva
Zara-Neva teaches at Centralia College and The Flying Tiger Exercise Arts Center in Centralia. She is co-director of Raks Saar-Rah.
Zemira
Zemira became injured and had to make some difficult choices. - She is no longer dancing with us, but is enjoying weaving once again. - We miss her dearly!
