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Performer Biographies
Company Dancers
Mirah Ammal (co-director)
A founding member of Ammala, Mirah enjoys choreographing, teaching, dancing and being surrounded by hand-flapping drummers. She has performed for the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Eternal Egypt exhibit, the UW-River Falls "Bridges" ethnic music series, AHEPPA, and a range of cultural presentation, theatrical productions and private events. She teaches classes and workshops around the Midwest. Mirah's background includes more than 18 years of training in various dance forms. She has studied Middle Eastern dance with Cassandra Shore, Dina (Cairo), Farida Fahmy, Nourhan Sharif, Tamalyn Dallal, Momo Kadous, Fahtiem, and other international artists. She performs regularly at the Beirut and Mediterranean Cruise restaurants, and periodically at Jerusalem restaurant and the Lounge.
Aliyah Ammal (Leslie Kennedy, co-director)
A founding member of Ammala, Leslie performs for a variety of events and venues including weddings, corporate events and restaurant appearances at Mediterranean Cruise, Santorini and Beirut. Leslie's dance background includes more than 7 years of Middle Eastern dance, 13 years of tap, ballet and jazz, and additional training in modern, ballroom, Latin and Renaissance period dance forms. She has studied with Cassandra Shore, Tamalyn Dallal, Dina (Cairo), Nourhan Sharif, Fahtiem, and other international artists. She also teaches classes around the twin cities. Leslie played the role of Queen in Omlet, Prynce of Fynnland (2002 Fringe Festival) and at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival (1999, 2000) but insists we should read nothing into that.
Afrita (Kristin Kujawski)
Kristin dances and hits people with swords, though not usually at the same time. A founding member of Ammala, she is a dancer and choreographer. In addition to Middle Eastern dance, Kristin has studied African, modern, ballet, jazz, Renaissance and Baroque dance forms. She is also a costumer and accomplished stage combat performer who studied and taught for five years with En Garde Unlimited.
Theresa (Theresa Kane)
Theresa began studying Oriental dance in 1998 at her mom's urging. She was immediately hooked (proving mother IS always right.) She has danced at various venues around the Cities, including the Renaissance Festival and other theatrical events, and has been a featured dancer at El Bustan restaurant. By day she works for a large corporation but dancing and gardening are her true passions. A member of Ammala since 2003, Theresa is also an apprentice with Jawaahir Dance Company. Theresa lives with her husband and two very furry cats.
Kristina (Kristine Paul)
Kristine developed a passion for Middle Eastern music and dance when she attended her first dance class in 2000. When she's not dancing or playing the role of a software engineer in the biomedical industry, Kristine enjoys spending time with her rabbit, her parrot and her husband, Lincoln. A regular dancer at Mediterranean Cruise restaurant, Kristina joined Ammala Dance and Music in 2003.
Amara (Barb Fulton)
Barb took her first Middle Eastern dance class in 1999 and immediately knew it would be an important part of her life. She has performed at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, private parties and other special events. An accomplished musician and former band director, Barb is now a stay-at-home mommy with her son, Michael. Barb joined Ammala in 2003.
Samantha (Samantha Morgan)
Samantha has a BA in dance from the University of Minnesota. She enjoys training in and performing all forms of dance including ballet, modern, jazz, African, hip-hop, Scottish, Buto, Latin and Middle Eastern dance. Samantha has also danced with Jason Noer Dance and Katz D. In fall 2004, Samantha traveled to India to study mohiniattam and kalaripayattu. A veteran of both of the Ammala "On the Beaded Fringe" productions, Samantha became an Ammala member in 2004.
Mahira (Staci Thill)
In 2001, Staci walked into her first Middle Eastern dance class at the Cassandra School of Dance, and she has been hooked ever since. A regular dancer at the Beirut Restuarant, she has also performed with the Guild of Oriental Dance and in exhibitions at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. When she is not dancing, Staci enjoys over-committing to home improvement projects and spending time with her husband Dan, daughter Jocelyn, two beagles, two parrots, and one overweight cat. Staci became and Ammala member in 2005. Staci is currently on leave.
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Inara (Kate Southwick)
Kate has enjoyed dancing since she learned the twist at age 3. She's dabbled in tap, ballet, and modern. For 12 years, she performed with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, and has taught since 1995. Kate became interested in Middle Eastern dance in 1991, and keeps coming back for more. She also likes cats, her husband, and scuba diving, though not necessarily in that order. Kate performed in Ammala's 2004 "On the Beaded Fringe II" and became and Ammala member in 2005.
Apprentice Dancers
Nadilia (Nadilia Gomez)
Nadilia was born in Panama and has been dancing since she first heard the Latin music. She studied ballet and modern dance and has performed numerous times since the age of 5. She took her first belly dance class at a local community center in 2005 and has since studied at the Cassandra School of Dance and the Ammala School. Nadilia's love of dance runs in the family; her mom and her sister also dance. She has a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics and lives with her husband, a Newfoundland dog and a mini-lop rabbit. Nadilia joined Ammala in 2006.
Salome Alexandra (Louise Indritz)
Louise began her study of Middle Eastern dance with Cassandra Shore and found it to be a wonderful way to relieve stress, gain flexibility, make friends and develop cultural appreciation. Louise has attended workshops in raks sharki and other forms with instructors including Dahlena, Tamalyn Dallal, Aisha Ali, Habiba, Meera, and Amel Tafsout. Louise has also studied ballet, modern, ballroom, and Bharatanatyam. When not dancing, Louise is a mom, seamstress, "gourmet" cook, and full-time executive assistant in a venture capital firm. A veteran of Ammala's 2004 show, Louise joined the performance troupe in 2005 and is a member of Ammala's board of directors.
Nasheeta (Becky Krueger)
Becky took her first Middle Eastern dance class in 2004 with Mirah Ammal through Burnsville Community Ed. She has been a professional figure skater and coach for 11 years. Becky has a degree in psychology and anthropology cum laude from Hamline University. In her free time she enjoys selling on eBay, dancing in haflas, modeling in hair shows, volunteering for causes, and taking nature hikes with her family. Becky is married to Dave and has a son who also loves to sing and dance. Becky joined Ammala as an apprentice in 2006.
Jale (Erin Nelson)
Erin has been in love with belly dance and all things sparkly since 2003. Erin has studied Middle Eastern dance at the Ammala School and the Cassandra school, and she has performed for haflas, conferences, private parties and other events. When she is not shimmying or stalking sequined treasures, Erin can be found stalking the halls of Normandale Community College where she is entering her final year of the dental hygiene program. Erin joined Ammala in 2006.
Musicians
Eric Breece (percussion)
An original member of Ammala, Eric has been playing drums for four years, but has enjoyed playing an assortment of instruments since kindergarten. He says he is no virtuoso, but he enjoys what he can do and that is all that really matters. Eric is currently on leave.
Dave Lake (percussion, vocals)
Dave is an original member of Ammala. He has studied Middle Eastern percussion with master drummers Souhail Kaspar and Tim O’Keefe. Dave’s vocal credits include the Oberlin College Choir, the Madison Civic Choir, and the Obertones, a professional touring a capella group. Dave enjoys banging loudly on virtually any hollow object and hopes to one day leave graduate school.
Hung Russell (percussion)
Hung studies Middle Eastern percussion with Souhail Kasper, Tim O'Keefe, and the Millers. He is an architect, web designer, graphic designer and aspiring musician, photographer and painter. Born in Vietnam, he has lived in Japan, Italy and the US, and enjoys the creative expressions of various world cultures. In 2003 Hung made his debut public dance performance without mood-altering substances in Ammala's "On the Beaded Fringe: Explorations In Undulation", and soon after became a member of the Ammala troupe.
Keith Spears (percussion, keyboard)
Keith is an original Member of Ammala. Keith's musical accomplishments include 30 years of piano/keyboard and 10 years of Middle Eastern percussion training and performance. A composer and performer, Keith has performed live with Ammala, Lojo Russo and Pirates of Dreamtime. He has also provided keyboard and percussion for Lojo Russo’s DreamLifeColor album and a Celtic music album released in 2004.
Ammala Alumni
Special thanks to former members, good friends who have relocated:
Melinda (Melinda Bobo), Ammala Performer 2003-2004, Wyoming
Christiana (Chrissy Miller)), Ammala Dancer 2003-2005, California
Jim Miller, Ammala Performer 2003-2005, California
CONTACT AND BOOKINGS
To learn more about Ammala or to book Ammala performers, e-mail us at bookings@ammala.com.