Kamala has been called “living legend”, “icon”, & “an inspiration” in the Middle Eastern dance community. Throughout her 40 year career, Kamala has kept up to date with the latest dance trends, while keeping a solid foundation in the classic styles. Kamala is known for her unique choreographies, for coaching competition champions & for her patience, generosity & expertise as a dance educator. She continues her own education by visiting Egypt, & attending & sponsoring workshops with masters from around the world. In 1977, Kamala left a ballet company to pursue her passion for Middle Eastern dance. She performed in the mega Arabic nightclubs in Hollywood, Mexico, London & places in between. Kamala was John Belezikjian’s featured dancer for many years. Kamala’s 1970s and ‘80s TV & movie film clips have garnered millions of fans over the decades. Kamala has worked with the tops in the field, including “Arabesque Dance Company”, directed by “Reda Troupe” principal dancer Farida Fahmy, alongside Sahra Saeeda. She was Assistant Artistic Director of “The Flowers of the Desert”, innovators of experimental styles, with a prestigious dance roster. She has performed for dignitaries and celebrities, including the Saudi royal family, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor & Mikhail Baryshnikov.

 

With a 25-year teaching career, many professional dancers in LA & beyond consider Kamala their “Dance Mama”. Kamala has trained and coached many dancers who have won titles in Belly Dance competitions around the world.

 

Currently, Kamala’s focus is teaching, choreography for professional dance companies, & producing theater. Kamala’s productions of “Choreographers’ Collective”, “Choreographers’ Eclectic”, “Shaabi Chic” & “Raks Rhapsody”, featured Middle Eastern & Fusion luminaries presenting original group choreographies. Kamala produces, & choreographs for the evening galas at LA’s largest festival - “Cairo ShimmyQuake”, featuring world-class performers.

 

Kamala is on staff at Dance GardenLA, California’s most prestigious studio, and travels as a workshop teacher. She was the first teacher to be named “Teacher of the Year” in 2017 by BDUC (Bellydancer of the Universe”), and is a master instructor at “Legends of LA Bellydance”.