Asala Belly Dance

Asala specializes in Egyptian bellydance, various Arab and Persian folk dances, and Bollywood dance. A seasoned artist in the DC area since 2007, she regularly entertains weddings, corporate events, festivals, fundraisers, and birthday celebrations. Her effortless musicality and seamless improvisation are the foundation to.her dynamic, interactive performances. Asala has performed alongside British pop star Thomas Dolby, Moroccan pop star Mohamed Reda, and Iranian pop stars The Black Cats, Andy Madadian, and Mansour.

Throughout her youth, Asala played team sports, participated in 4-H equestrian competitions, select choir (acapella) and musicals, and played the flute and saxophone. While attending Alfred University, she discovered her passion for dance. She trained in bellydance, swing dance, salsa, modern, and butoh. Asala moved to DC following graduation and continued to train in bellydance with Nazira, a master bellydance teacher with 25+ years of performance experience in classical Egyptian style. Nazira and her husband, Shawkat Sayyad, a master of classical Arabic music--oud, vocals, violin, mentored Asala in classical stylizations, rhythms and dance history. She joined Silk Road Dance Company (SRDC) in the Fall of 2008, to perform classical and folkloric dance styles from Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia. Asala has performed with SRDC in numerous festivals, stage productions, museum performances and has traveled nationally and internationally.