Amira Mor: Jewel of the Nile
Belly dancing conjures up images of exotic women dancing in harems for Sultans and Sheiks. And now all over the world, the art of belly dance is being taught not only to dancers but to women who want a bit of fantasy in their aerobic workout.
Amira Mor fits the lifestyle of this dance form and comes by it naturally. Born in Jerusalem to Iraqi parents, she grew up in Israel studying ballet, jazz, flamenco and belly dancing. She says, “I was called the dance machine because I was always dancing.” Her family enjoyed listening to Arabic music and at every event they invited belly dancers. Later, while attending boarding school, she had a great gym teacher who recognized her talent and took her to an Olympic training center. This teacher was a mentor. “He was very special, and it was the highlight of my life at the time.”
As a solo dancer, Amira went on to perform in night clubs, festivals and weddings. She has appeared on music videos with John Cougar Mellencamp and has been featured on numerous national television programs including the "Caroline Rhea Show," "Emeril Live," "Blind Date," "Faking It," and the "Fox Morning Show." Some of her favorite venues include working with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center choreographing their Arabian Nights-themed “Dance with the Dancers” yearly event, celebrity-studded Friar’s Club Roasts and the Ornette Coleman Jazz Festival in Cologne, Germany. She has performed for the Prince and Princess of Morocco, the Prime Minister of Jordan, the Mayor of New York City and musical legends Robert Plant and Sting and the comedian Jackie Mason.
Photo by Lina
Amira teaches at Broadway Dance Center in New York and lists among her students Britney Spears. She also has her own performing arts center in New Jersey. She has made a successful career from belly dancing performing, teaching and managing a company and school. She designs costumes and produces belly dance instructional DVDs. People in all walks of life, ages five to 85, skinny, heavy, tall or short, gravitate towards belly dancing. “It is simply beautiful. It is a feminine and sensual expression and a good workout for anybody.” Musically, it is nice to dance to Middle Eastern music but also Spanish and Indian music. She says, “When I dance, I am the closest to God. I am free…Belly Dance unlike other art forms, is interactive. When you solo dance, it is improvisation…you are in the moment and there is a great awareness, all the senses are sharp, you are alive and you feel beautiful. Belly dance liberates the body, mind and soul.” As for technique, she says, “It is free-style, but in order to reach free style-level you need to know technique.” She loves to travel and has had the opportunity to perform and teach in Japan, the Middle East and give workshops here in America. She says, “The places are not important; it is the people you are with that count.”
Amira has had many opportunities as a professional dancer and also as a teacher. Her relationship to the students in her class is that of a giving instructor. It is obvious that she loves what she does. Her company, Jewels of the Nile, is made up of dancers who take her class. There is no audition. She does not care if they are the best dancers in the world, but they must have great personality, dedication, passion and professionalism toward the call and their fellow dancers. She loves people, music, reading and the outdoors. Her daughter, also a dancer, prefers to work at the business end of the profession, and her son is a physical trainer.
Belly dancing has provided Amira with an exciting career. She says, “I have found myself, I express myself, and I am truly happy. I wouldn’t want to be or do anything else.” You can find her videos and teaching schedule by logging on to her website: www.amiramor.com.