Ya Helewa! is a collection of a variety of lovely, experienced dancers who bring an exciting dimension to Middle Eastern Dance.

The troupe performs most of the Traditional and Folkloric dances from the Middle East, as well as American Cabaret Belly Dance, and modern and experimental styles which will captivate any audience.

Amara has performed as a soloist and in Middle Eastern Dance companies all over the United States. As a versatile dancer, her repertory includes traditional and experimental improvisations and choreographies. She has taught courses on Middle Eastern Dance at UCLA and workshops at a number of universities and colleges. She also has classes at several dance studios.

In addition to teaching, Amara is the Director and Choreographer of Ya Helewa! and Artistic Director of "An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance."

Amanda

Amanda has been performing and studying Middle Eastern dance with Amara for four years. Her performances include An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance, Desert Sin's Musee de Femmes, IAMED's Bellydance Rocks!, Café Beledy, Cairo Carnivale, Perfumes of Araby Swap Meet, and The MECDA Central Coast Festival. Amanda holds a degree from Emerson College in Advertising, and during the day, she is a TV commercial producer for Saatchi and Saatchi.

Jalilah began belly dancing when she fell in love with this form of dance after traveling throughout the Mediterannean and Middle East. She has danced at Cairo Carnivale, Merrakesh Restaurant, Sheraton / San Pedro, and Market at the Kasbah. She has studied with several teachers in the L.A./ Ventura area - most recently with Amara and Jillina. Starting at the age of four, Jalilah has studied ballet, jazz, and tap. At age nine, she joined the Lorraine dancers performing jazz and tap throughout Orange County. With the Lorraine dancers, Jalilah had the opportunity to study in Hawaii both Tahitian and Hawaiian dance including poi ball, gourd, cane and other traditional island dances. Jalilah holds a B.A. degree from San Diego State University and is President of Acqua Clear, Inc, a water purification company.

Janel has always loved Middle Eastern Music and has studied various styles since the age of three. She currently dances with Ya Helewa! dance company and as a soloist at Moun of Tunis restaurant in Hollywood. She has also been seen dancing in An Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance and at the LA Convention Center. Janel studies Middle Eastern Dance with Amara. On a recent trip to Egypt, she had the opportunity to take workshops with Raquia Hassan and Diana. Janel is also a singer and an actress and can be seen performing at local venues. She has a BFA in Acting from Brigham Young University and works as an insurance claims adjuster.

Tova

Tova has been intrigued by the art of Middle Eastern dance for as long as she can remember. Her passion for it was set in motion when she took a class with Jenevieve. Soon afterward, she began studying the dance with Amara. Tova has performed with Ya Helewa! at several events, including EEMED, Dance Macabre, and a benefit concert with Mantra Girl. In addition to dancing, Tova is in her fourth year at Cal State Northridge, working towards a degree in Computer Engineering, with a minor in the Russian language. Her passion lies in astronomy, the outdoors, Thai food, traveling, and many genres of music and dance.