Tamira
soloist and
Director/Producer of Belly Dance United

Tamira is the director of Belly Dance United and has been bellydancing for over 10 years. She formed BDU to create unique performance opportunities for bellydancers and to help elevate the art of bellydance to the accomplished level of other dance forms by presenting bellydance shows on theatrical stages with theatrical lighting.

From 7th grade to senior in high school, Tamira rehearsed twice weekly with a singing musical ensemble of over 50 youth. This group, led by their director, created one musical play a year which toured around the country while traveling in school buses for two weeks of the year. This is where Tamira first learned about directing and producing shows.

Many moons later, in 2003, Belly Dance United was formed. In the first 7 years of Belly Dance United, Tamira produced over 30 themed café bellydance shows in Columbia, MO involving dancers of all levels, all styles and from many surrounding troupes. Now focusing exclusively on BDU's theatrical shows, Tamira produces and directs 2 theatrical bellydance shows a year. Tamira believes that bellydance can be enjoyed by everyone and hopes to help open the minds of the general public to its beauty and grace.

Dance History:
Growing up in Kansas City, MO from a family that was barely getting by most of the time, taking dance classes as a child, was just not an option. However, Tamira continued to find outlets for dance in aerobics and also eventually in joining her high school dance team. During college, she taught aerobic classes for four years at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she obtained a Bachelors degree in Photojournalism and has lived ever since.

After college, growing weary of the repetitive nature of dance exercize classes, Tamira noticed that many of her friends were trying bellydancing. Eventually, she also took a class and renewed her love of dance once again–this time in a new form that was not only artistic, but also powerful and feminine. Bellydancing has been a great love of hers ever since.

Tamira studied privately with Maya of Columbia, MO, Terry Holland of Fayetteville, AR and Asha Diana Denmen. Then, continuing her education at various workshops with world-re-knowned instructors. Some of her favorite performers are Suzanna Del Vecchio, Ava Flemming, Rachel Brice and Oreet to name a few.

If you are interested in becoming a BDU member, email Tamira at bdu@bellydanceunited.com about how to audition to be a part of the Belly Dance United shows.