Nadirah Johara

Nadirah Johara has been involved in the arts all her life. She fell in love with Middle Eastern dance, music and culture 8 years ago. Two of which were in NY where she was quality director for the premier Rochester, NY based troupe Sahara Shimmer. There she studied directly under Babanesh in classes and troupe rehearsals.
Currently residing in Ft Worth, TX, Nadirah takes frequent lessons from Katia of Boston. She has also studied with instructors respected on a national and international level such as Morocco, Nourhan Sharif, Neena and Veena, Raqia Hassan, Aida Nour, Magdy El-Leisy, Hadia, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Farida Fahmy, Lubna, Friez, and Faten Salama among many others.
Now she is an instructor, director of the professional Middle Eastern Dance troupe The Johara Dance Ensemble, Kismet Fort Worth director, and sponsor of “Raks into Spring” an annual weekend of workshops and gala show featuring fabulous instructors from around the country!
Being a perpetual student Nadirah Johara attends frequent advanced level workshops and seminars to further her knowledge and technique in this marvelous art form.
Nadirah Johara is known for her compelling stage presence, captivating grace, energy, and technique. Her specialties include cane, double cane, finger cymbals, sword, fire tray, fire eating, candle, pharonic, fans, tambourine, skirt dance, veil, among many others.
She is also versed in many different styles of Middle Eastern Dance including modern and classical Egyptian, Turkish, Gypsy, Lebanese, and various fusion styles.
Nadirah Johara honors the roots of this ancient art form through traditional styles, while simultaneously contributing to the evolution of the dance through contemporary interpretation. Nadirah Johara can be seen in many places in the DFW area. She regularly performs at Al Amir Lebanese Restaurant and Byblos Lebanese Restaurant. She has also performed hundreds of times in theater shows including off Broadway, other restaurants, with live bands including the Buddahood, museums, art galleries, corporate parties, festivals, bellygrams, and many more. For a complete list of current performances and events please see the “Performances” page.
She is a passionate student, dancer, and instructor who works hard to keep this living art form alive. She is a locally based instructor who teaches ongoing beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes at the Lockheed Martin Recreation Center.
By day Nadirah Johara goes by the name Jacqueline and is an Aeronautical Engineer.
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