Ranya has been performing for over 25 years and has been active in Middle Eastern Dance since 1990. Respected by her peers as one of New Yorks most prominent Arabic dance artists and teachers, Ranya performs, teaches and studies all over the world. Her seemingly endless lists of accomplishments and skills as a Middle Eastern dancer, teacher, singer and musician illustrate what can only be described as a dedicated passion to Middle Eastern dance, music and performance. She shares her knowledge and passion through her unique, insightful teaching methods, bringing dancers of all levels to a deeper understanding of their art and connection to themselves.
For more information on Ranya, please go to www.ranya.net.

Ramses Padilla was born in Matanzas province of Cuba and birthplace of Rumba in the world. As part of this musical environment, Ramses started dancing before knew how to walk. At 5 years old Ramses was already dancing in the kids’ comparza of the city and as a teenager he danced in the most important comparza of the province. Comparza is a type of dance troupe that performs Conga dancing at the Cuban carnivals.

As a young man, Ramses was auditioned and selected among hundreds to be part of the first professional Rueda dance team to perform Rueda regularly on Cuban national television. The team "La Rueda de Casino," was a project of the musical group Moncada and the group performed with all the famous Cuban bands of the time, from Van Van to Manolito el Medico de la Salsa. Later Ramses became an international entertainer and worked for several years at resorts in Varadero.

Ramses moved to Vancouver in the early 2000s and created the first annual international Cuban dance event in North America, called "Cuba Baila!" which ran for five consecutive years.

Of Syrian-Lebanese heritage, Sabura performs and teaches Middle Eastern dance throughout the western U.S. and Canada. She holds the national title "Bellydancer USA" for 2000 and 1996, and has been included in the King County Arts Commission/4Culture Touring Arts Rosters from 2000 through 2010. In 2001, she became the first Middle Eastern dancer to receive a Performing Arts Award from the Seattle Arts Commission, and has won several more arts grants and awards, since that time.

Sabura has directed Performances or Publicity for three of Seattle's Arab Festivals (co-sponsored by the Seattle Center/Festal and the Arab Center of Washington), is a Community Coordinator for the annual Folklife Festival, and is a co-founder and past president of Middle East Arts International, a nonprofit corporation sponsoring Middle Eastern dance and music concerts and workshops in Seattle. She also has independently produced several large-scale theatre shows.

Sabura's dancing is a synergy of joyful energy, vibrant expression, and dazzling technique. She strives to create greater public awareness, appreciation and understanding of Middle Eastern dance, music and cultures.

Owner and Director of Ammara Dance

Lisa cannot remember a time when she did not dance. Starting at the age of 4, Lisa has been a student of dance, music and art. Her journey has taken her through the worlds of tap, ballet, jazz, various types of folk dance, theater, and music. Lisa has been involved in Middle Eastern dance for over 10 years, actively studying, teaching and performing. Beginning her studies with Venus, Lisa has expanded and continues to develop her dance knowledge and teaching skills through various forms of study with instructors both local and international. Lisa's passion for Middle Eastern dance and music is contageous, which makes her classes both entertaining and educational. Lisa is also a member of Ala Nar Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, performing and sharing the art of Middle Eastern Dance at private, corporate and high-profile events around BC and Canada. Lisa's most recent activities include an appearance on Slice TV's "Bulging Brides" as a guest instructor, and Ala Nar's Main Stage performance at the International Belly Dance Congress of Canada in Toronto.

Rasta has been a member of Group Abada, one of the largest Capoeira organizations in the world, for more than 12 years and has been teaching since 1999. Rasta brings to his classes the energy and spirit of Capoeira from Bahia Brazil, his birthplace and the birthplace of Capoeira. Rasta was influenced from a very young age to play capoeira, by his father’s best friend Mestre "Boa Gente" It was meant to be that Rasta would become a capoeirista. He was never a shy kid, and he would play with his cousins in the house's backyard and later show his movements in class. He always loved to help and teach other kids how to play Capoeira - that is why he became a teacher. Rasta has mostly trained capoeira in the streets and beaches of Bahia with his friends and in Government funded projects such as "Sudesb" and "Fonta Nova". He has also trained with Abada Capoeira. Because he understands how hard it is for parents to afford out of school activities, his dream is to some day have a capoeira project where children of any age can learn this amazing sport for free. He welcomes capoeira students of all levels. Feel free to come to class and play. Always positive! Rasta energy!

Angelina is a lifelong dancer and a yoga enthusiast. In 1995, she was trained as a coach of Rhythmic Gymnastics, and first discovered her love of teaching.
After years of formal training and study in many styles of dance, theatrical arts, yoga, and meditation, Angelina's holistic and eclectic approach to movement and natural wellness has led her to seek training with the esteemed Prana Yoga College here in Vancouver, and is now a Yoga Alliance certified teacher. Angelina is also a teacher and performer of various styles of Bellydance, and has been studying and performing the art since 2004.

Originator of the bands "Sweet Pan" and "Carib X Press", Bernard also performs as a solo artist on steel drums, piano, vocals and guitar. He has arranged for and/or lead La Tripical, Karib Brass, Cinnamon, Fernandes & Co., and Panarimba. Finishing his music degree in 1992, Bernard makes his living teaching, making and composing music.