KAMALA'S BIOGRAPHY
Kamala is a 3rd generation dancer, who transitioned from a ballet company (Pasadena Dance Theatre) in her teens to Middle Eastern Dance, which remains her passion some 45 years later. Her training extends from classical Jazz, to classical Ballet, to notable Egyptian & Lebanese teachers, but mostly on the job experience from the long hours spent performing in Arabic nightclubs.
During her long solo performance career, Kamala performed in nightclubs, restaurants & hotels in many countries, most notably the large Arabic nightclubs in 1980’s Hollywood, London & Acapulco, where she performed nightly with Egyptian orchestras. Kamala was also a featured dancer in films and on TV shows in the 1970s and ‘80s. Her popular Youtube channel features over 40 years of video.
In the 1980s she took part in shows choreographed & directed by Egypt’s legendary Farida Fahmy. With Kamala’s love of American & Egyptian movie musicals, she was inspired & transformed by the experience.
The 1990’s brought Kamala to a new group of professional dancers in LA, hired to perform at Al Andalus Egyptian nightclub. “The Flowers of the Desert” started as a traditional company, & later became the first Bellydance Fusion company on the west coast, which inspired subsequent dancers to create their own fusion genres. They produced theatre shows, tours & concert dates with everyone from Alabina, Hakim & Amr Diab to The Talking Heads & The Go Go’s, appealing to both Western & Arabic audiences.
Currently Kamala teaches & choreographs Middle Eastern Dance both in the LA area & virtually. Kamala teaches at festivals around the country. Her students & choreographies have won countless titles at “Belly Dancer of the Universe” & other competitions, including Egyptian, Fusion & Group categories. Kamala produced a theatre show “Shaabi Chic” in 2009 with 18 of her own choreographies. 2011 through 2014 Kamala produced “A Choreographers’ Collective” & “A Choreographers’ Eclectic” featuring esteemed choreographers from around the world.
Kamala produces & choreographs for the Evening Galas ( 2015 through 2024) at Cairo ShimmyQuake, LA’s largest Belly Dance Festival. Kamala was a master instructor at, & curator for "Legends of LA Bellydance" . She was presented with the first "Teacher of the Year Award 2017" by BDUC (Bellydancer of the Universe Competition).
Kamala is co-producer of The International Raqs Film Festival & Raqsi Awards Show. The virtual festival attracts films from countries around the world.
NEW! Kamala starts Troupe Al Manzar in 2024, a student performing company. The company is preparing for upcoming performances throughout the year.
Kamala strives for an artistic presentation of Belly Dance, one that is well informed, yet uniquely her own.
