Meet the Dancers....Taleeba!
Born in Queens New York, Jordana's first love was the theater. That love eventually brought her to
Las Vegas to study stagecraft at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. In 1994 she became
enamoured with Belly Dance, when she experienced her first event with the Las Vegas chapter of the
Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA).
To feed her nomadic spirit she moved all over the United States and eventually in 1998 settled in Fort
Wayne Indiana. There she was blessed by the teachings of the legendary Leila Gamal and her mentor
Zweena bint Asya. In 2001 she was invited to join troupe Taleeba and in 2004 became assistant
director. With the saddened departure of Zweena in 2005, Jordana was honored to take the reigns
and became director of the amazingly talented group of women. Her choreography and stage shows
are inspired and dramatic. Using her expertise in stage production, her passion for the dance, and
support of her fellow dancers together they create Taleeba's own style of "soul shaking belly dance.
Las Vegas to study stagecraft at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. In 1994 she became
enamoured with Belly Dance, when she experienced her first event with the Las Vegas chapter of the
Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA).
To feed her nomadic spirit she moved all over the United States and eventually in 1998 settled in Fort
Wayne Indiana. There she was blessed by the teachings of the legendary Leila Gamal and her mentor
Zweena bint Asya. In 2001 she was invited to join troupe Taleeba and in 2004 became assistant
director. With the saddened departure of Zweena in 2005, Jordana was honored to take the reigns
and became director of the amazingly talented group of women. Her choreography and stage shows
are inspired and dramatic. Using her expertise in stage production, her passion for the dance, and
support of her fellow dancers together they create Taleeba's own style of "soul shaking belly dance.
Mahasti bint Zweena was introduced to Middle Eastern dance through Zweena bint Asya and has
been performing with Troupe Taleeba since its inception in 2001. Mahasti has performed in a
variety of venues from Verizon Wireless Music Center to wedding receptions to local festivals. She
has studied with several master teachers, but the source of her inspiration was the time she spent
learning from Zweena bint Asya and hopes to carry-on a piece of Zweena’s legacy in Indiana.
Mahasti has an affinity for the natural beauty, grace, and fluidity of the movements unique to
Middle Eastern dance. She is devoted to the collaborative efforts in creating Taleeba’s
choreography and has grown to cherish the camaraderie among the troupe.
been performing with Troupe Taleeba since its inception in 2001. Mahasti has performed in a
variety of venues from Verizon Wireless Music Center to wedding receptions to local festivals. She
has studied with several master teachers, but the source of her inspiration was the time she spent
learning from Zweena bint Asya and hopes to carry-on a piece of Zweena’s legacy in Indiana.
Mahasti has an affinity for the natural beauty, grace, and fluidity of the movements unique to
Middle Eastern dance. She is devoted to the collaborative efforts in creating Taleeba’s
choreography and has grown to cherish the camaraderie among the troupe.
Hadia began dancing in her childhood as a gymnast and a student of ballet. She discovered the joys of
Middle Eastern Dance in 1996 while studying with the amateur troupe, Selene of the Seven Seas. Six years
later, Hadia was presented with the opportunity to begin more formal instruction with Taleeba founder
Zweena bynt Asya under whose guidance she enjoyed years of superior training in classic old style belly
dance. She has also performed as a member of Turkish Rom dance troupe Svatura under the direction of
Amani Ali. Seeking to allow a passionate expression to influence her dance, Hadia draws inspiration from
multiple workshops with acclaimed New York dance artist Dalia Carella. She continues to indulge in
broadening her dance vocabulary by regularly attending regional workshops focusing on a variety of ethnic
dance forms. For Hadia, nothing is more uplifting to the creative soul than interacting with the dynamic ladies
of Taleeba. Her dance thrives through their ingenuity, dedication, and sisterhood.
Middle Eastern Dance in 1996 while studying with the amateur troupe, Selene of the Seven Seas. Six years
later, Hadia was presented with the opportunity to begin more formal instruction with Taleeba founder
Zweena bynt Asya under whose guidance she enjoyed years of superior training in classic old style belly
dance. She has also performed as a member of Turkish Rom dance troupe Svatura under the direction of
Amani Ali. Seeking to allow a passionate expression to influence her dance, Hadia draws inspiration from
multiple workshops with acclaimed New York dance artist Dalia Carella. She continues to indulge in
broadening her dance vocabulary by regularly attending regional workshops focusing on a variety of ethnic
dance forms. For Hadia, nothing is more uplifting to the creative soul than interacting with the dynamic ladies
of Taleeba. Her dance thrives through their ingenuity, dedication, and sisterhood.
| Gallery |
| Jordana bint Zweena |
| Mahasti |
| Hadia - Seamstress |
| Once a Taleebite....Always a Taleebite....Alumni |
| Contact Jordana: jordana_bint_zweena@yahoo.com |
Photo by: Tony Frantz
