SwingTime Ballroom

Naimah is an award winning belly dancer from baltimore, MD who is nationally recognized. She began exploring the art of bellydance in 1999 with some background knowledge in ballet, modern, hip hop, and african dance. She has studied bellydance with well known talent such as Devra Johari, Antonia, Lotus Niraja, and Piper. Her bellydance career began with Egyptian style Cabaret but after intensive study with many instructors from all over she has found her niche in the art of Modern Tribal style bellydance. This style allows her to be more expressive and blend American Tribal Style bellydance with modern dance, classical indian, hip hop, flamenco and a little dash of cabaret. Naimah is known for her mysterious, gothic infused, fluid movements. Her moves have been compared to that of a "man eating plant" and a "mechanical snake".

Naimah is certified in the Piper Method School of Dance, and is certified in the Suhaila Salimpour format of dance. She is now the director of Troupe Amandari. It is a troupe comprised of intermediate to advance level students as well as professional performers. She has performed with live bands such as Ishtar, Animus and beatboxer Shodekeh. She has appeared in the music video for "Dark Hall" by the band Mindless Faith, and has been featured on the Fox 45 morning news in Baltimore. She has also performed and taught workshops at CCBC World Dance Festival, the BOCA Festival, KisFest, and Shimmy in the Sun in Costa Rica.

Special Events

Belly Dance with  Naimah Thursdays 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Price $15/class

Modern Tribal Style bellydance, also known as Tribal Fusion, is a blend of American Tribal style bellydance and other forms of dance such as Flamenco, Hip Hop, Classsical Indian, African and more. In this class students will learn basic tribal style technique and posture, fluid arm movement, popping, locking, tick tocking, floorwork and serpent-like body movements. This class will also include fun combos and playful choreography. Each class will begin with an intense body conditioning warm up and drills to improve muscle control, flexibility and isolation so be prepared to feel the burn.

Attire: Comfortable dance pants. No skirts please. The instructor needs to see how you are moving to make sure it is the correct way. Hip scarves are optional. Ballet slippers, socks or bare feet ok. No street shoes please.

This is a beginner/intermediate class.