About Us

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Gala Show- Suhaila Salimpour April 21, 2001

Aalim Dance Academy was founded in 1987 by Soraya (Diane Chope) of London, England. Today the Academy is under the Directorship of Salwa. Salwa has been performing and teaching Middle Eastern Dance in St. Louis for twenty-seven years. She began with her mentor Simone Prouty and has continued her extensive study with Suhaila Salimpour and many other National & Internationally known Middle Eastern Dance Artists. Serena , co-director of Aalim Dance Academy has been performing and teaching for twenty four years and continues her studies with National and Internationally known Middle Eastern Dance Artist.

Salwa			Serena

Performers from the Aalim Belly Dance have been featured on the Sammy Davis Jr. Variety Club Telethon, at the St. Louis Art Museum Family Days and  Meet Another Culture Program,  Missouri Historical Society's Twilight Tuesdays1904 World's Fair Programs and International Days, The Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire,   Kansas City Renaissance Festival,  Earth Day Festivities in Forrest Park, River Faces Festival, University City Fair in the Square, Loop In motion ( In University City), V.P. Fair and Fair St. Louis, Sally Jesse-Raphael Show, Illinois State Fair, Black Tie St. Louis, Venus Envy, parades and numerous other community festivals and shows over the years. Aalim Belly Dance not only performs in the Region, but is proud to teach The Ancient Art of Middle Eastern Dance. Our studio is located at the St. Louis Academy of Dance Creve Coeur, MO.

Our philosophy is simple: to have fun while learning about various cultures from Northern Africa to the Middle East to Central Eastern Europe, educate the public about one of the oldest forms of entertainment: Dance and Music, and demonstrate the great benefits of exercise too. Classes Begin with the basic technique of the Cabaret style with an emphasis in the Salimpour Method. As each student progresses, more technique and a great  variety of other styles will be taught, including ethnic, folkloric/tribal styles, Tunisian etc.....

Classes on costuming for the different cultural dances and countries are taught. Annual Seminars, Dance Concerts, Special Events, Fundraisers and student nights are held in an effort to promote Middle Eastern Dance. This Art Form is appropriate to be performed for all ages and all types of Family and Corporate style events,  our performers are available for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, theme parties , children's parties, community festivals etc... 

Aalim Dance also offer performances that include Hawaiian, Polynesian, and Tahitian styles of dance, Fire performers and various other styles from around the world.

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