Zahra Zuhair

[suzyq52]

My dance instructor, Isis, and I, recently attended the Island of Isis Retreat and Workshop which was held in Loveland, Ohio, where Zahra Zuhair was the workshop instructor. What a wonderful teacher she is and such a lovely person. We have already registered for next year's workshop!!!!

[ejaghana]

Zahra Zuhair is a lovely dancer. When she dances it almost looks like she's floating!

[zorba]

She's FANTASTIC!

[tigerb]

Okay, I'm curious about something. I watched some of her vid clips (she looks like a GREAT dancer)... but one clip made it look like she is extremely petite, maybe around 5' tall? Is she really that tiny? Or did she just happen to have very tall dancers next to her, maybe?

I need to find out if she has any midwestern workshops planned...

[ejaghana]

Okay, I'm curious about something. I watched some of her vid clips (she looks like a GREAT dancer)... but one clip made it look like she is extremely petite, maybe around 5' tall? Is she really that tiny? Or did she just happen to have very tall dancers next to her, maybe?

I need to find out if she has any midwestern workshops planned...

Yeah, she's tiny. She's maybe 5" or 5"1' at the most.

[suzyq52]

Yes, she is not very tall - a petite woman - I'm 5'4" and she would be about 5'1". Check out her website http://members.aol.com/zahra/ and there are a few clips of her on YouTube as well. She was just such an enjoyable workshop instructor and at the evening hafla was wonderful to watch dance.

[spanishdoll]

Zahra is probably my most favorite American dancer. So graceful and carefree with her dancing! If I had known she was in the Midwest, I would've made the trip. I missed out!

[jewelsdances]

Has anyone been to her dance camp in California? I'm thinking of going, it's in October

[zorba]

Are you kidding? She's a founding member of the four foot nine club!,r:;

Seriously, I don't know her exact height, but she's quite short - and is a wonderful dancer and instructor. I took both her workshops on last year's ANAS, and I understand she's teaching again at this year's edition!

It was neat - my "old school" instructor was in Zahra's class with me - it turns out that Zahra was a student of my instructor's once upon a time.

[nasila]

Zahra is just about 5 feet tall and sooooo adorable and amazing. She's my first teacher...seen her twice a week for almost four years now and she still surprises me!

I have been to her dance camp, and it's a great experience. I'll see you there this year if you decide to go!..g.:

[zahena]

Well, I'm 5' 10" and I took a picture with her and I look like a virtual monster next to her. She's very tiny but a total firecracker.

ZZ is actually my favorite of all instructors I have taken from. She's challenging yet not so challenging that you don't 'get' it. She's got an easy grace about her and she always has time to stop and chat.

Plus, every time she sees me she gives me a great big hug and that always makes me feel special that a true superstar like her has time for someone like me. :)

Just as an FYI, she's also trained dancers like Jillina and Rania. I think she's one of the most unrecognized teachers out there. It's a shame because she's truly amazing and I don't feel like the dance world gives her what she truly deserves! She's AMAZING!!!

[haleemachandani]

Zahra is an awesome dancer! She did workshop for us in Cleveland about 3 or 4 years ago and has been one of my favorites ever since. I chauffered her around from the airport, hotel, workshop and back while she was here, and she's such a sweetie. She has some amazing stories to tell of her experiences, too!

-Haleema

[leylalanty]

She is a lovely dancer and she's a teacher (for at least the 2nd time) at this year's Ahlan Wa Sahlan in Cairo.

[AprilAzhar]

Zahra is definately one of my favorite dancers. I attended the workshop she taught in Cleveland, Ohio and it was fantastic. Not only is she a great performer, but her teaching style is very precise. I'm going to LA in a few weeks, right before Ahlan Wa Sahlan, and I'm hoping to squeeze in a class or two taught by Zahra.

[Noor~]

I am a HUGE loyal Zahra fan!!!!!!! I was in her company Eshta when I lived in Los Angeles. I miss taking regular classes and rehearsing with her SO much.

Zahra is an amazing dancer, master instructor and a lovely person. Her technique is really solid, and her choreography lyrical and fabulous. She makes moves look so effortless. Check out her IAMED combinations DVD - it is awesome. She also has an Advanced Oriental Class VHS that is super.

Her camp is really fun - she teaches great choreography and has a live band from Santa Barbara play for the workshopper's performance night - this is a real treat!

ZZ & Jenna recently opened a dance studio in LA. They also put on a live music showcase called Taxim. I miss them!!! Here is a link to their studio: http://dancegardenla.com/

[laura 2]

I'm taking her Dynamic Combinations workshop at the IBDC in Vegas! Can't wait!

[ziba]

Zahra's Dance Camp is a lot of fun. I attended last year's camp and plan to go back to this year. It wasn't over crowded and had just enough folks to make it fun. This year she is going to feature Vegan meals. The camp is high in the moutons south west of LA. It is just beautiful there. The cabins had 3 or 4 person. The Diva Cabins have a private bath the other I believe she called Goddess Cabins they have a detached from the cabin by near by group bath area. Classes are held in a lodge a short walk (very short) it has a fire place which was lit several nights one to make smoorks (gram crackers, marsh mellows and chocolate.
Zahra is a great teacher, she is petite at 5'1" or so but I am almost 5'7'' and had no problem learning from her. If you are not familiar with her style of teaching from workshops she teaches you the combos then they are found in the choreography later. That works good for me because I learn by repetition. She also provided a dvd with her doing the routine from several angles so you could remember it better when you returned home. She teaches a new choreography each year and I understand and she has guest instructors teaching as well. Last year we had Rania, Alisha Ali, and Jenna.
There are other actives too and contest like who has the best-decorated room (big competition among the campers), we decorated our camp t-shirts. There is also the Live musician on Sat night and campers are invited to perform with them or you can bring your on music on a CD. There was dancing on another night but only one person performed that night.

[lizajuk]

Her DVD Mesmerising Moves is one of my real favourites. She really reinforced a lot of learning for me and seems an excellent instructor. She's someone I would like to see come over to us.
I would love to see her dance. Is she on any of the IAMED films?

[danidance]

She is on a few of them - including a really nice Tunisian Pot dance on I think the 6th awards.

Her DVD Mesmerising Moves is one of my real favourites. She really reinforced a lot of learning for me and seems an excellent instructor. She's someone I would like to see come over to us.
I would love to see her dance. Is she on any of the IAMED films?

[kina]

she's also on #4

[lizajuk]

Thank you. I have some videos I can dig out including 4.

[teakpeek]

I have to agree. She doesn't get enough recognition. I was at the Retreat last year also. Loved it and I'm going this year. She's fantastic. Her movements flow together like no one I have ever seen. I would definetely take the certification class.

[ziba]

What certification class? I would be interest in that with Zahra. Where do you find the info on Zahra's Program?

[nasila]

ZZ just announced the certification last week, and the details are still in the works. But, there will be one for dancers and one for teachers! YAY!!

There should be more info on her site in the next few weeks.

[ziba]

Cool...I will be checking it out then.

[ziba]

Nasila
since you are a weekly student, does Zahra ever have a weeklong, the certification is good too and I would go to both if I hear in time to get off from work...

[nasila]

ZZ offers regular classes during the week (Mon, Wed and Sat) at her studio www.dancegardenla.com and she's doing her 4-day Dance Camp in October (11-14) where she 'll be teaching a few long classes (along with Jenna and Aziza Sa'id). I know she's also involved in the San Diego intensives with DaVid and Patricia, which I think is a week-long program.

I'm guessing her certification program will be ongoing...over the course of a few months (rather than a few days). More info will be available when she returns from Egypt.

[NajlaHalem]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd ask the fans here. I'm considering Zahra's dvd's....Magnificent Moves or the Advanced Oriental Dance Class?

---Mandi

[tamrahennatx]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd ask the fans here. I'm considering Zahra's dvd's....Magnificent Moves or the Advanced Oriental Dance Class?

---Mandi

Hi Mandi! Nice to see you on Bhuz!

I have the Advanced Oriental Dance Class and it's pretty good - little homemade - it's like being in the class, but there is some good stuff on it. Nice combos and a good shimmy drill if I remember correctly.

I haven't seen the Magnificent Moves vid. Is that the new IAMED release?

[zahena]

I have the Magnificient Moves THTX, you can borrow it if you want once we got unpacked from our move. it's really good.

I would TOTALLY take her certification class! i only think there are a few people who offer 'certifications' that are really wortwhile to me personally. Hadia is one and ZZ is the other. I just really love her.

Plus, she makes me feel like a rockstar every time I see her she gives me a big hug and all my friends are so jealous! LOL!!! She's just amazing. Grace, beauty, poise and personality. she's got it all!!!