Maja, The Girl From the Nile
954/929-7155, Majanile.com
Born in Egypt with roots in Algeria, Romania and Russia, Maja performs the colorful and sensual art of belly dancing at events throughout South Florida. As a teacher, she makes the dance accessible to women of all walks of life and skill levels. She encourages her students to explore the many styles of movement and rituals of the art form, dancing in costume with fans, swords, veils and other props. To Maja, belly dancing is a celebration of the feminine spirit and a form of meditation. In 2000, she organized what has since become the Spirit of the Tribes festival, which has grown into a major performance and celebration that draws teachers, artists and musicians from all over the country.