Anisa
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Anisa has been teaching the beautiful art of Orientale
dance since 1974, specializing in both classical Egyptian
cabaret style and the traditional village and city styles of
the Middle East and North Africa.  After taking her first
class with Aisha Ali almost 40 years ago, she was
“hooked.”  She took classes three times a week and
privates whenever she could.  She also studied the
history of the dance, learned from co-founder of Aman
Folk Ensemble Leona Wood, designed and made
costumes and held costume-making classes, and
continued honing her skills with master choreographers,
such as Raqia Hassan.  Anisa is one of the first owners
of a Middle Eastern dance studio in the Southern
California area, “School of Eastern Dance,” opened in
1978.  In 1994 she opened “Anisa’s School of Dance” in
Sherman Oaks where, in addition to belly dancing, an
extensive variety of dance and fitness programs are
offered.

Focusing on classical Egyptian style, Anisa is passionate
about keeping alive the traditional art form.  She is the
Director and Choreographer of the Orientale/Beledy
Dance Troupe, winners of the 2005 "Belly Dancer of the
Universe Competition” in the group category.  Known for
her exciting troupe choreography, as a solo performer
Anisa prefers an improvised dance where she has a
better rapport with the audience and feels more
connected. She encourages her students to perform
both choreographed and impromptu styles.

Anisa is the proud recipient of the coveted "Lifetime
Achievement Award" bestowed at Tonya and Atlantis’
Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, which places
her amongst a list of famous recipients in the dance
community including Lou Shelby, Marta Schill, and Aisha
Ali, to name a few.  She was named “Best Belly Dance
Instructor” in the Best of L.A. 1997 edition of “New
Times,” and has appeared on TV and in films.

Anisa has sponsored dance tours to Egypt and Turkey,
where she has both performed and taught, and is
putting together her next tour to Greece.  Her belly
dance showcase held the 2nd Friday every month at the
studio allows practicing students and professional
dancers a fun venue to perform in while attaining live-
audience experience. The ever-popular “King Tut
Returns” is her annual Halloween event that brings the
best talent to the stage.  This year’s dinner show will be
held November 2nd at the beautiful Olympia Banquet
Hall in Van Nuys.

Because of her level of expertise in Orientale dance,
Anisa is a highly sought-after belly dance competition
judge. With her lifetime dedication to the dance and her
experiences as a performer and instructor, Anisa is
passionate about teaching and strives to share her
knowledge with her students to help them achieve the
same love and appreciation for the dance, inspiring
such comments as: “Her shimmies are like pebbles
glistening in the water;” she is “fluid and liquid in her
movements;” “her love and passion and devotion for
the art form are readily communicated to anyone who
studies with her or sees her dance.”  

You can learn more about Anisa by visiting her website
at
www.anisadance.com
“No Matter how I feel, or what’s
going on in my life, as soon as the
music starts and I begin to dance I
smile, I’m alive and happy, and
nothing else matters!”
Anisa's Orientale/Beledy Dance Troupe
Arabian Nights
Monthly belly dance showcase
at Anisa's School of Dance.

Second Friday of each month.
Click here!