Talia (Director/Artistic Director)
Talia began her studies in Middle-eastern dance at the age of 8. Through the years she has learned from some of the most stellar teachers, performers & musicians from around the world. In 2001, she attended The Cassandra School & Jawaahir Dance Company, as an apprentice, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Talia has become a multi-award – winning performer, taking home four “Best Oriental Dancer” awards from her peers at Oasis Dance Camp, as well as a “Spirit of Aphrodite” award. In 2006, Talia took the third runner-up award in the Egyptian category for Belly Dancer of the Universe competition.
Monika (Assistant Director)
Monika began her studies in Middle-eastern dance with Sohaila in 2000, then with Talia in 2003. Monika is one of the founding members of the Oriental Jewels, and is one of its most technical & dedicated dancers. Her other dance studies included tap, jazz, ballet & disco. Some of Monika’s dance highlights include performing in many local restaurants & events, dancing with drummer Issam Houshan & at a Ehab Toufic concert. Monika was also featured in SAMEDA’s monthly Papyrus magazine in December 2006.
Kameela (Member)
Kameela hails from San Diego, where she first began taking belly dance lessons in 2005. She studied Raks Sharqi under the tutelage of Talia, and joined the Oriental Jewels Dance Company at the end of 2006. You may see Kameela perform with a shammadan (candelabra), sword, cane, veil, or zills. Still, her favorite style of dance involves no prop at all—the drum solo. She looks forward to her continued study of Middle-eastern dance, which is appreciated by audiences worldwide for its beautiful tradition and exotic rhythms. Contact Kameela at kameelaraks@gmail.com
Serafina (Member)
Serafina began her Arabic dance studies with Morweena Assaf in Oceanside, CA. She then began studying under Talia in 2003. Serafina’s love for Arabic dance & music is truly evident when she performs. Winning a “Beautiful Beginner” award from her peers at Oasis Dance Camp in 2004 pushed her to continue her studies. She joined the Oriental Jewels in January 2007, and has quickly enhanced her knowledge and technique of many different Middle-eastern dance styles.
Maya (Member)
Maya is an Oriental Jewels original member from 2003 and after a family leave of absence (welcoming her beautiful daughter to the dance world) she has returned to the art form she loves. Maya has studied under the world renowned Cassandra Shore and extensively with local star of San Diego, Talia. Prior to becoming a Jewel, Maya served in the Oceanside dance troupe Raks Al Anwar under the direction of Morwenna and Walid Assaf. The Jewels look forward to her return to the professional stage
Aimee (Member)
Aimée began dabbling in Middle Eastern Dance in 2002 with San Diego instructor, Marula. After falling in love with Arabic music and the femininity of the dance, she began studying more seriously with other teachers in the area, including Luisa, Mariela, Lucia, DaVid of Scandinavia, Rachel George, Sahar, and Talia. She continues to study with some of the best teachers throughout the U.S., Germany, Egypt and Spain. Aimée can be seen dazzling audiences at some of San Diego’s finest venues and restaurants. Her goal for the future is to continue learning as much as possible about Middle Eastern Dance and to eventually pass that knowledge on to the newer generation of dancers.
Nahira (Apprentice)
Nahira was first introduced to bellydance in 2000 and studied for several years under Sohaila. In 2003 she co-founded Amarat, a bellydance group that performed at restaurants and cultural events around San Diego County. In 2005 Amarat hosted ‘Divas of the Danse’, a bellydance spectacular that featured some of San Diego’s best dancers along with guest dancer Jamileh of Utah. After the Divas show, Nahira took a break from bellydance for nearly 5 years. In 2009 she started dancing again, this time with the lovely Talia.
Nahira’s love of bellydance is inspired by its history, culture, grace, and celebration of the female body. She likes to say that bellydance is 80% coordination and 20% grace. Nahira is excited to be joining the Jewels and looks forward to continuing to learn and grow as a dancer and performer.
Neinei (Apprentice)
Neinei has been dancing since she was a little girl, starting with Mexican Ballet Folklorico and Flamenco dance. She began studying Middle Eastern Dance in 2003 under the direction of Safira Zeki in Wichita, Kansas. She later moved to the East Coast where she continued to expand her knowledge of Oriental Dance with a multitude of workshop instructors and classes. Neinei soon found herself performing in local venues, and began sharing the dance with others by teaching beginning belly dance classes at her own home studio. She has studied with renowned belly dance master instructors such as Jillina, Bozenka, Suhaila Salimpour, Aziza, Yoursy Sharif, and her current instructor and mentor Rachel George. Neinei is honored to have been invited to dance with Talia and the Oriental Jewels Belly Dance Company and is looking forward to continuing along on her journey with Middle Eastern Dance.
