She has also attended seminars by famous Middle Eastern dancers including Artemis, Conchi, Faten Salama, Karen Barbee, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Sahra Saeeda, and  Zahra Zuhair.

 Through her studies, Laila has learned  a wide variety of authentic historic folkloric styles, which include the Tunisian Scarf Dance, Moroccan Shikhat, Ghawazee (Egyptian Gypsy),Egyptian Nubian, Turkish Rom (Gypsy), modern Egyptian Cabaret or Raks Sharki, and modern Turkish Cabaret.  As well as studying Middle Eastern dance, Laila has studied ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern dance, yoga and marital arts at the University City Arts League, the Koresh Dance School, City in Motion, Kansas City Ballet School, Kansas Siddhi Yoga,  Upenn Ryukyu Kempo Club and Kenshūkai.

From 2001 to 2008, Laila performed professionally in the Philadelphia area at venues including Casablanca, Cinderella Sabbaba, Fez, Jaba, Little Marakesh, Pyramids, the Nile, Roya, the Shubin Theater, the Phildelphia International House and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology.  Laila appeared as the featured belly dancer at the 2008 Turkish Cultural Day at the University of Pennsylvania Museum.

Laila has also had the pleasure of appearing as a guest performer with the Anne-Marie Mulgrew Modern Dance Company and the  Habiba Dance Ensemble.
 

From 2003 to 2008, Laila and her friend Hayet were the dance instructors and artistic advisors to Ya'lla, the University of Pennsylvania Middle Eastern Dance and Drumming Troupe.  Laila has also had the pleasure of teaching at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Recreation, La Luna Dance Studio and Take the Lead Dance Studio.

Laila received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Arkansas in 1998.  In 2007, Laila earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Pennsylvania.  Laila is currently an Assistant Professor of Biology at Rockhurst University.

In August 2008, Laila relocated from Philadelphia to Kansas City, Missouri.  She joined the Siham Ali Company and has appeared at several local events including the Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival and the Kansas City Diplomatic Ball.

"Dance is your pulse, your heartbeat, your breathing. It's the rhythm of your life. It's the expression in time and movement, in happiness, joy, sadness and envy."

                ~ Jaques D'ambroise

Phone:  215-470-9745

Email:  laila@lailabellydance.com