Mariyah is an acclaimed professional bellydance artist based in New York City. She has performed countless shows in nightclubs, private events, theater and concert stages across the US and abroad. Mariyah has earned a number of awards from respected dance competitions recognizing her distinctive and original interpretation of Oriental dance. Her performances have been described as “innovative and inspiring”, “timeless”, “passionate” and “bringing true meaning to the art form”. Mariyah’s professionalism, skill, and graceful, engaging presence have made her a highly sought after entertainer, solo artist, and company member.
In 2007 Mariyah placed first in the “Queen of Raks Sharki” competition, a yearly event judged by Egyptian dance masters Dr. Mo Geddawi and Randa Kamel. Since 2002 Mariyah has been a member of the Dalia Carella Dance Collective, a contemporary, world fusion dance-theater company directed by world-renowned dancer and choreographer Dalia Carella. She has performed in the Collective’s Broadway and off Broadway stage productions of “Transparancy” (’02), “In Search of a Goddess” (’04), “Cabaret Macabre” (’06), among others.
In 2008 she joined the NYC-based Arabic music and dance ensemble Zikrayat and has worked as the group’s dance director since 2010. She has performed with the ensemble at numerous cultural and theater events, including the prestigious Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival in New York, NY. In 2011, Mariyah was a featured guest artist with NYC’s highly regarded Bellyqueen dance company. Additional professional highlights include performances for the United Nations and elite cultural and celebrity events.
As an instructor Mariyah has been contracted to teach specialty workshops across the USA and in Japan. She teaches ongoing beginner and intermediate classes in Brooklyn, NY, and offers private instruction and coaching for intermediate to advanced dancers. In 2007, with her dance partner Darshan, Mariyah co-created the DVD “Chakra Dance Flow” a program incorporating yoga, bellydance and movement meditation. She also appeared as featured dancer in the upcoming “Bellydance Live from NY” featuring many of the top performers of oriental dance from the East coast.
Education
Mariyah’s first mentor in Oriental dance was legendary New York bellydancer and instructor Serena Willson. Mariyah’s love of the dance and its varied styles led her to study extensively with such masters as Shoshana of New York, Elena Lentini, and Dalia Carella. Mariyah also travels regularly to attend workshops and receive private instruction with the great dancers of Egypt and Turkey. Mariyah’s varied dance background also includes Modern dance, Ballroom, Swing/Lindy Hop, and Salsa.
Mariyah holds a BA from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study where she majored in Religious Studies and Studio Art and presented her final colloquium on creativity and spirituality, exploring the spiritual element in the creative process. Mariyah has also been a student of yoga since 1995.
