Melissa Amira started dancing as a youngster with the obligatory
classes in Ballet, Tap and Gymnastics. She was active for many years
as an avid soccer player as well. Later, in High School, Melissa Amira
indulged the creative side of her personality by taking Jazz classes.
She then took several years off to be rebelious, have a child, and own
and operate two small businesses. After a rather harsh personal evaluation,
Melissa Amira decided it was time to get back into shape, physically as
well as mentally. She was pleasantly surprised to find that she was able
to kill two camels with one stone by enrolling in an adult education
course in Women's Beginner Bellydance taught by Roubina Abassi-Stolpa
through the Universty of Texas at Austin's continuing education
program. Through Roubina's strict training and overwhelming love for
the dance, Melissa Amira became completely addicted to Middle Eastern
dance and music. Melissa Amira went on to become a member of one of
Austin's favorite dance troupes "Akasha Winds" directed by another one
of her major influences, Mila Crowell. Melissa Amira started accepting
solo performance opportunities and went on to produce one of the only
weekly Middle Eastern dance shows in Austin, The Cubita Caravan.
Melissa Amira's strong organizational skills and her experience as a
small business owner has earned her a reputation as an outstanding
seminar assistant. She has had the pleasure of working with Austin
seminar producers Jeanette (Shimmy into Spring/September), Bahaia
(H.O.T. Seminars), and Luclia (Lucila's Dance Productions).
Through all this, Melissa Amira has remained a constant student of
the dance and has attended workshops featuring; Roman "Bert" Balladine,
Amaya, Vashti, Pat Taylor, Z-Helene, Aziz, Morocco, Angelika Nemeth,
Suhaila Salimpur, Dalia Carella, Mimi Spencer, Karen Barbee-Adkinson,
Leila Haddad and Beata Cifuentes, just to name a few. She also has
experience performing with live musicians such as; Trans Arabian Sound
from Houston, Texas; The Gypsies from Austin, Texas; Susu Pampain from
California; and Doug Adams with the Austin version of Light Rain. Melissa
Amira was also honored to have been asked to dance for a performance
given by the incomparable Harry Saroyan, Master Craftsman, Entertainer,
and all-around-really-great-person!
Melissa Amira currently produces a bi-monthly dance show, Melissa Amira's
Carousel Caravan, featuring some of the best dancers in Texas as well as
being an executive member of the Oriental Dance Association (ODA) at
the University of Texas at Austin.
