“Amara delivers a heartfelt performance on stage with great elegance, emotion, and fluidity. It is refreshing to witness a dancer that reflects back to the authentic roots of belly dancing. She showcases herself in a way that takes you back to watching some of the Egyptian legends within her own personal, creative style.”
Hind Haymour

Amara Sayid - MEPAA Founder, Co-Director, and Instructor

Amara Sayid specializes in Egyptian and folklore-inspired dances. She is recognized by her heartfelt performances exuding elegance, creativity, and musicality. Under her mentor, Samay, Amara began her dance journey in 2001. In 2013, Amara was chosen to continue the creative and soulful legacy of her mentor as the Artistic Director of the academy. Today, Amara shares the directorial role with Danna Yasbet; giving her the ability to balance her love of dance, along with family obligations, and a professional career.

Amara shares the 1st place win with her professional dance troupe, Azhar Dance Ensemble, in the (2013) USA Belly Dance Queen Competition (Troupe Category), and is the 1st place winner of the (2014) Lelah Masriya Dance Competition (Pro-Soloist Category) in Cairo, Egypt.

She’s trained with world renowned dancers such as Mahmoud Reda, Raqia Hassan, Zaza Hassan, Dr. Hassan Khalil, Hassan Afifi, Aladin El Kholy, Tito Seif, Yousry Sharif, Tamalyn Dallal, Kareem GaD, Ahmed Hussein, Oxana, Wael Mansour, Shahrzad, Esmeralda, Mona Farouk, Azad, Ehab Hassan, Nesrin, and many more. Amara’s artistic goal is to share her knowledge of Middle Eastern dance with her students, and with the world by performing with elegance, grace, and authenticity.

“Only a deep-rooted admiration and dedication to this rich and magnificent culture can preserve the elegance and respect that its artform truly deserves.” 
Amara Sayid

Amara’s Socials: Instagram          YouTube Facebook Page

Danna Yasbet - Co-Director and Instructor

Danna Yasbet is an award-winning dance artist, inspired by the splendor, empowerment, and emotion of Middle Eastern music and dance. Danna captivates audiences with her illustrious elegance, theatrical charm, and soulful technique. Her performances and choreographies combine authentic Egyptian-style dance with her classical performing arts background.

Danna embarked on her belly dance journey under the instruction of her mentor and world-renowned artist Samay in 2008, and since then has established her professional dance career as an international performer as well as Co-Director and Instructor for Mid East Performing Arts Academy. Her ultimate goal is to elevate and promote the appreciation and cultural understanding of this ageless art form.

Danna’s continuous education comprises training from the world’s most prestigious master instructors, including the legendary Mahmoud Reda, Raqia Hassan, Dr. Hassan Khalil, Tito Seif, Yousry Sharif, Zaza Hassan, Aladin El Kholy, Tamalyn Dallal, Bozenka, and Esmeralda, to name a few. She was the runner-up soloist of the 2011 RAKSTAR International Competition, and shared the 1st place win with Azhar Dance Ensemble in the 2013 USA Belly Dance Queen Competition - Troupe Category. Danna has opened for famous Arabic singers like Najwa Karam and Fares Karam, performed abroad on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Aladin El Kholy’s Oriental Festival in Europe, and continues to perform at several local theater productions. Her given name, Danna, is of Arabic origin meaning “a beautiful pearl”; Yasbet belongs to her mother’s Lebanese roots.

Jihan Jamal - Master Instructor

Jihan Jamal – Dance Master and Master Instructor of Near and Middle Eastern Dances, specializing in Traditional, Theatrical and Folk Dances of Egypt, and flavorings of specific dances of the Levantine as well as Arabian Gulf regions, since 1979.

Ms. Jamal is a Master Instructor, Dance Ethnologist and promoter of Near and Middle Eastern Dance and Performance Arts for the past 45 years. She founded ADORA World Dance Productions in 1982, promoting this genre of dance education and awareness; sponsoring other Master Teachers and Musicians in the field of Arab dance and music traditions, and I has been an integral member of this Dance Arts & Culture community, internationally since 1979, serving as member of the board of Miami’s AACC (Arab-American Cultural Center), and lifelong member.

Jihan is a published writer (www.yallahmagazine.com since 2009), and blogger and, since 2010, the Founder and Director of Women Of the Silk Veil (WOSV) Middle Eastern and Asian Arts and Cultural Club. Jihan’s goal as a Dance Master is representing the Arabic Dance and Culture with dignity, elegance and pride.

Jihan's teaching method combines ethnic tradition and regional colloquialisms without sacrificing classical form and traditional technique. As a teacher, her objective is to educate the student in the structure of the dances as well as their cultural, regional backgrounds and the social, religious and political history that has impacted and altered the dance throughout the centuries, to present day.

Jihan’s Facebook Page Jihan’s Instagram

Kelly - Instructor

Kelly is a belly dance performance artist, instructor, and choreographer in Miami, FL. She has dazzled audiences in the US and abroad with performances in: Spain, Japan, Argentina, Egypt, France, and the Caribbean. Her career began under the guidance of master instructor Virginia of Miami. In 2012 she founded Belly by Kelly - A professional performance and instructional company. Her young troupe, The Gems, immediately began to captivate audiences, winning the 2014 Rakstar first place award in the teen group category as well as crowned the People's Choice winners. 

Kelly also owns and runs BBK Bellydance Boutique based in Miami. A one stop shop for dancers in need of costumes, accessories, props and class wear. BBK Boutique caters to bellydance soloists and groups around the world. 

Today, Kelly continues to captivate audiences with performances for the theater and private functions. She offers group classes and private training Online and in studios throughout Miami. Kelly’s love for dance is grand but her passion lies in teaching and connecting with her students. She has a special way of bonding with her young students and prides herself in continuing the knowledge of Raks Sharqui (bellydance) in future generations.

Kelly works hard to provide the best class experience with detailed breakdowns and exciting combinations. With her classes now in person and online, she looks forward to meeting and connecting with dancers and enthusiasts from all over the world!

Kelly’s Facebook Kelly’s Instagram BBK Bellydance Boutique