History

Raqs Akia is a Middle Eastern dance troupe formed in 2009 by fifteen friends.

The troupe name translates to "Sisters of the Dance" and it reflects the emotional bond that the members of the troupe share with each other.

The goals of Raqs Akia are to offer its members and students an encouraging and nurturing environment to explore all aspects of the art form commonly known as bellydance.

Raqs Akia strives not only to grow its repertoire and performance skills as a troupe, but also to support each individual Raqs Akia dancer as she finds and develops her own technique, creativity, confidence, soloist skills (if she so chooses), choreography, and stage presence.

See our repertoire list to learn about the variety of music we use in our routines.

The troupe is off to a strong start, offering a six-week course in choreography to advanced dancers and sponsoring a workshop as well as performing at several local venues.

See below for information on all the lovely ladies who are members of this fabulous troupe.

Adira

Adira began her love affair with dance at the age of 8 with the typical fare of ballet, tap, and jazz. In college, her pallet blossomed to include modern, and to her delight,

"Ethnic" dance. The Spanish, African, and East Indian dances stirred the exotic passion in Adira and set her on the journey toward Middle Eastern dance. When she discovered belly dance Adira was infatuated by the rhythms and costumes; however, it was the ancient and rich history of the art that kept her attention. Adira enjoys the companions and exercise that belly dance provides, but above all, she chose belly dance because it celebrates womanhood in all its shapes and sizes and it makes her feel beautiful. Adira is a full-time homemaker and writing her first novel. She enjoys leisure activities including yoga, the outdoors, and studying Spanish. She is married and has two delightful daughters. Adira is a Hebrew name that means "strong and powerful."

Alvilldr in fagra

Alvilldr in fägra (old Danish for 'the Fair Battle Elf') has been belly dancing for nearly three years. She designs and creates her o Alvilldr in Fagra wn costumes based on historical clothing from various cultures. Alvilldr hopes to start choreographing her own solos in the near future.

Amal

Amal came to be interested in bellydancing after learning about its history within Western, Middle Eastern, and Indian popular culture. An artist by education and a cultural anthropologist by trade, she is most intrigued by bellydance's ubiquity and sees it as a constantly evolving, globalized art form. Amal

She believes that music and dance bring people together and that they are essential elements for peace, joy, and empathy on a cross-cultural scale. She is interested in developing choreography for Middle Eastern and Indian pop songs of the 1960s and 1970s. Her goal is to one day get up the courage to pair bellydance with classic bluegrass murder ballads.

Amala Ramaa

Amala Ramaa has always wanted to learn bellydance. Her desire probably came from her older sister's bellydance videos, which stuck with Amala from a young age. Amala loved bellydance from the first time she came to class, and even dragged her mom into it, too.

She adores all shapes and forms of dancing, however bellydance has a special place in Amala's heart because it is not only good exercise but it also teaches you a positive way to reflect on the body. It doesn't matter if you are a size 2 or 22. She also likes the way bellydance is great for any age. Amala started bellydance when she was 15 years old and plans to still be dancing at 85.

She keeps bellydancing because of the wonderful instructors and fellow troupe members, and is appreciative that she has supportive friends who think what she does is fun and attend all the performances that they can. Amala hopes to teach bellydance when she goes to college so she can share the art form with others.

Anala Rabari

Anala Rabari has always been fascinated with the history and culture of the Middle East. While obtaining her degrees in Anthropology, she took many classes on Middle East culture and learned Arabic.

After finishing her Masters the chance to learn Middle Eastern dance came her way and she couldn't resist. Anala has been belly dancing since 2002. As a member of Meira Nawal (2003 - 2009) she performed at several community festivals. She made her solo debut at Springfest 2005 and after substituting for her instructor, she decided to take the plunge into teaching.

In May 2006, Anala started Shimmy Cast an Internet based radio show about bellydance. Anala felt this was an important way for her to pay back the larger bellydance community for all that she has received from it.

She has a background in ballroom and Native American dancing. Anala Rabari is Hindi for "fiery gypsy."

Delilah

Delilah started belly dancing in the Fall of 2004. She has performed with Meira Nawal (2004 - 2009) at the Jones Center International Festivals, Springfest on Dickson Street, and the Rogers International Festival. She enjoys showing off her photo album of dance experiences. Delilah loves belly dancing because it's fun and good exercise. She's met some wonderful new friends and just has a lot of fun dressing up and having fun hanging out with the troupe. In the fall of 2009 she helped form Raqs Akia.

Ilenia Melinte

Ilenia Melinte started belly dancing because she likes to try new things and thought it would be a good way to get in shape. Over the years that Ilenia has been dancing, she has realized the best aspect of belly dancing is the sense of self-esteem and self-acceptance she has gained from it. She was proud to share this aspect with her daughter when Samra Amar decided to start dancing with her mother. Ilenia has found dancing with her daughter to be a rewarding experience as this common love has brought them closer together. Some of her other hobbies include sewing, stitchery, cooking, and crafting.

Khalila

Khalila has been belly dancing since 2006. She loves to dance and finds belly dance fun, artistic and good exercise. She loves dressing up in jingly scarves and wonderful costumes with lots of jewelry. Khalila also to garden, read, quilt, and take care of her hobby farm!

Khalila2 Belly dance has given Khalila a new appreciation for herself! It boosts confidence and improves body image. She has made many new friends through the dance and hopes to continue dancing for many years.

Leailah

Leailah began bellydancing, because she was the "wheels" for her teenage daughter that wanted to take the class, as with most things she was game to try and thought it would be great exercise.

From the first moment Leailah loved bellydance. She has always loved all kinds of dance, enjoying the celebration of movement that dance creates, but she was amazed to discover that bellydance is the celebration of being a woman! No one cared that she was middle-aged or no longer a size 10. Leailah feels bellydance allows her to enjoy being herself and enjoy the acceptance of all women any age, size with their own individuality.

Leailah is appreciative that bellydance provided a safe fitness and exercise program for her as she recoverd from a broken pelvis. Leailah is also pleased with the creativity of costuming that goes with bellydancing as it permits her to incorporate her hobbies of sewing and crocheting into this aspect of dance. Leailah believes the best part of bellydancing is the wonderful group of women she has become a part of.

Najila

Najila began studying Middle Eastern Dance in 2003 in Minneapolis, MN with instructors from the Cassandra School. She believes in taking opportunities to continue her studies under various instructors in order to expand her dance experience and broaden her perspective. Najila She enjoys studying the use of props such as zills, veil, sword & cane, and is working towards performing as a soloist and choreographer.

One aspect of Middle Eastern dance that Najila especially enjoys is the camaraderie among dancers. She has come to know many diverse and beautiful women through the study of Middle Eastern dance. The atmosphere within the dance community is open, welcoming and encouraging to women of any age, race, size and shape. Najila is translated “brilliant eyes” or “eyes that glisten” and was chosen in tribute to her husband.

Samra Amar

Samra Amar has always loved Middle Eastern cultures. After seeing so many pictures of her mom, Ilenia Melinte, dancing, she finally decided to try belly dancing as well. She enjoys now having something fun she can do with her mom in addition to the exercise benefits she gets from dancing. Not being the type of person who likes to be categorized, Samra Amar's wardrobe is an eclectic mix of all the styles of belly dancing, thanks to her mom's awesome sewing skills.

On Leave.

Shamsey

Shamsey has been bellydancing for over five years. Her interest in bellydance is inspired by her Middle Eastern heritage and love for dance. She enjoys the different styles and costumes of bellydance such as Tribal, American Cabaret, Turkish, and Egyptian. Shamsey Shamsey is currently studying the use of zills, veils, and the sword in bellydance; one day she hopes to choreograph. Most of all she cherishs the friends and freedom of personal expression that have developed through her bellydance experiences. Shamsey is a Persian name meaning "to shine brightly like the sun."

Sultanah

Sultanah's love of music and dance started through her parents, a Hawaiian Hula dancer and a surfer who enjoyed a good tune! Watching the Hula and Tahitian inspired a passion for cultural dances that continues to this day.

Sultanah's background includes ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, choir, and theater arts. After taking time off to pursue family life, Sultanah was introduced to bellydance, and from that moment on her heart and soul were captured by this wonderful dance form. Every aspect of the dance - the music, costumes, friendships, acceptance of body image - continues to inspire and motivate Sultanah on a daily basis to educate herself so she can one day help teach other women this unique dance that tones the body and strengthens self esteem and confidence.

Sultanah is the feminine Arabic form of Sultan, meaning "Ruler."

Treszka

Treszka has been Middle Eastern dancing since 2006. She enjoys the many genres of traditional and modern belly dance, and plans to choreograph her own tribal fusion solo. With her first baby (born in early 2009), she found that belly dance was a perfect way to exercise during pregnancy, as well as an excellent source of comfort measures for birth. With that experience as a guide, she hopes to develop a prenatal belly dance class. Treszka

Raqs Akia

Site Navigation[Skip]

Sidebar[Skip]