Meet Our Instructors
New Mexico Belly Dance has an amazing lineup of instructors for our FIFTH annual BellyFest, located this year at the beautiful Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts. Learn more about our instructors here!
Sadie Adair
Sadie is a fusion belly dance performer and instructor based in Albuquerque, NM. She is the proud owner of Sirena Studio, the Founder and Co-Director of Desert Darlings Belly Dance, and one part of the musical trio, The Sandy Sweethearts and the Bubany Boy.
She took her first belly dance classes with Diane Eger in Santa Fe when she was 13 years old. After a short break, she went on to study at Pomegranate Studios in Santa Fe, and then Farfesha Studios in Albuquerque. In college, she traveled to festivals out of state to expand her knowledge, which made her fall even more in love with dance.
In 2016, Sadie was 26 years old and the new owner of Sirena Studio, previously Farfesha. She was completely out of her league but went for it anyway. She can't imagine a world where she doesn't teach dance because she loves it so much!
As a show producer, she has brought several theatrical productions to South Broadway Cultural Center with The Desert Darlings. They have hosted dancers such as Ebony Qualls and Mira Betz in their epic retellings of stories such as Peter Pan, Wizard of Of, and The Little Mermaid.
In 2023, Sadie was selected to perform in Belly Dance Evolution's "The Jungle Book" as an ensemble dancer and went on to perform two lead roles in Jillina's BDExperience productions (Flying Monkey in "Wizard of Oz "2023, Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland" 2024).
Sadie also had the honor of dancing with Zoe Jakes and Beats Antique twice in 2024 (Meow Wolf and Rise & Vibe Festival) and 2026 (Taos).
Sadie currently teaches multiple dance classes a week at Sirena Studio, as well as online via Patreon.
Annya will be teaching Social Media 101 for Dancers at this year’s BellyFest.
Register for Sadie’s Workshop | https://www.sadieadairdance.com
Kamala Almanzar
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 and 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 and 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, and later became the first belly dance fusion company on the west coast, which inspired subsequent dancers to create their own fusion genres. They produced theatre shows, tours and concert dates with everyone from Alabina, Hakim & Amr Diab to The Talking Heads, and The Go Go’s, appealing to both Western and Arabic audiences.
Currently Kamala teaches & choreographs Middle Eastern Dance both in the LA area as well as festivals around the country. Her students and choreographies have won countless titles at “Belly Dancer of the Universe” and other competitions, including Egyptian, Fusion and 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” and “A Choreographers’ Eclectic” featuring esteemed choreographers from around the world.
Kamala produces and choreographs for the Evening Galas ( 2015 through 2024) at Cairo ShimmyQuake, LA’s largest Belly Dance Festival. Kamala was a master instructor at and 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).
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.
Kamala will be teaching Raq of Ages at this year’s BellyFest, sharing her knowledge and experience of the eras.
Amaya
Iconic and internationally known dancer Amaya, known for her fluid and dynamic dance style, is the first Oryantal Dancer in American to fuse the power of Flamenco with the feminine Arabic dance movements.
Having performed in over 21 countries, Amaya is The Elite-of–the-Elite in Instructors, teaching the Beginning Dancer to the Professional Performer by developing basic steps into “super-embellished” moves. Dynamic music mixed with a healthy dose of humor and life philosophies all lead to a great learning atmosphere. Enjoy the Amaya Technique in classes, workshops and seminars for all levels. Prepare to MOVE!
Amaya was the FIRST to introduce the passion of Flamenco with the sensuality of Arabic Dance through her introduction of the song "Amayagueña" composed especially for her by the top composer, Ibrahim El Samahy. Her fusion work in the early 1990s sparked many dancers to follow in her path.
She credits her mentor and dance partner, the late Roman Balladine, for opening many dance doors around the world for her (Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and more!). Amaya ran away and joined the circus! Her circus work in Salome Traumtheater and Circus Conelli in Germany and Switzerland were milestones in her dance career. More recently, Amaya was featured as a performer, teacher and judge in Beijing, China.
Amaya will be teaching Gitana Fan Artistry at this year’s BellyFest.
Leaf Ashely
Leaf took her first Belly Dance class in 2008 and was instantly obsessed. This obsession lead to studying many different styles of dance, history, and theatrical dance opportunities with tons of amazing teachers and professional performing artists from around the world. As the director of Foundations of Freedom in Gallup, NM since 2010, she has performed with her troupe, other groups, and as a soloist, all around the Southwest, including Texas, California, and Mexico. Her love and appreciation for many dance styles lends itself to some truly unique and interesting fusion belly dance choreography.
In 2019, Leaf opened her own studio, Bright Life Arts, where she teaches weekly Fusion Belly Dance and Yoga classes while continuously being a student of dance and performing regularly with the Albuquerque dance community.
Leaf will be teaching a Fierce Fusion Choreography at this year’s BellyFest.
Register for Leaf’s Workshop | https://www.facebook.com/leaf.ashley
Deborah Newberg
Deborah Newberg has been active as a dancer, teacher and choreographer since 1990, based in Santa Fe, NM. She is known as an enthusiastic and giving teacher, and as a dynamic and musical dancer and choreographer. Her many years of performing, teaching and study include Egyptian-style Oriental Dance (aka Raqs Sharqi or Belly Dance), Persian Dance, Folkloric Middle Eastern Dances, Turkish Roman and contemporary cross-pollination.
She is the founder and leader of the Saltanah Dancers and the Habibis.
Deborah has been on the faculty of the Dance department of Santa Fe Community College since 2008, and also teaches at EmiArte dance studio, Quail Run and Mendocino Middle East Music and Dance camp.
Deborah will be teaching Dancing with Veils, Wild Style at this year’s BellyFest.
Emily
Emily has been belly dancing since 2001, focusing primarily on group improvisational (also known as tribal style) for most of her belly dance career. Other styles include fusion, Salimpour format, and various fun props such as sword and basket. Her teachers include Flo of the Rogue Bindis, Krissy, Michelle al Farfesha, and Sadie of Sirena. Emily is currently Troupe Director of Mahatma Tribal Belly Dance, has danced with several troupes, taught at many of the major studios in Albuquerque, and collaborates regularly with members of our belly dance community.
Emily will be teaching a dynamic Sword Choreography at this year’s BellyFest (with the opportunity to perform at the Saturday evening gala show!).
Lorena
Lorena is an award winning dancer from Albuquerque, New Mexico known for her theatrical expressions, high endurance technique, musicality, and risk taking balancing skills.
Lorena’s dance journey began in 2010 with Eric Salazar where she learned Raqs Sharqi & Fusion belly dance fundamentals, history, and technique. Over the years, she has had the pleasure to study with many well renowned international dancers. She has earned certificates in Part 1 & 2 of Journey through Egypt by Sahra Saeeda, Key of Diamonds of DanceCraft® by Zoe Jakes, and Stage One of Dance Cohesion by April Rose. She holds a BA in Dance with a concentration in Flamenco from University of New Mexico where she studied with several master Flamenco artists from Spain.
Lorena was honored to take home 1st Place & Peoples Choice award for an original choreography in collaboration with Sadie Adair (Yaa Halla Y’all, Desert Rose of Texas 2017) as well as 2nd place award in the fusion solo category. In 2024, she played the lead roll of The White Rabbit in Jillina Carlano's Belly Dance Experience production of Alice In Wonderland, where she choreographed the "rabbit chase" scene (in collaboration with Sadie Adair) for the production. In January 2026, she performed in several dances for House of Tarot a hauntingly beautiful show by Zoe Jakes, in Oakland CA.
Along side Sadie Adair & Ally Lowry, she co-directs professional dance company The Desert Darlings. The Darlings are known for their creative & highly entertaining shows ranging from small, intimate venues to large stage productions. Lorena is also a third of musical group, The Sandy Sweethearts & The Bubany Boy. They currently have a touring show called The Sandy Bubany Revue where dancers can learn & perform choreographies to their original spooky folk songs.
When Lorena isn't performing, she loves to share her knowledge of dance with others. She teaches several classes throughout the week at Sirena Studio in Albuquerque, NM, and offers online tutorials through her Patreon.
Lorena will be teaching “Glam it Up Diva!” stage makeup at this year’s BellyFest.
Michelle al Farfesha
Dancing, teaching, producing, mentoring. For more than 30 years, Michelle al Farfesha has studied the dances of the Middle East, Northern Africa, and India. She has performed around the globe, taught more than 1,000 students both at workshops worldwide and during the 14 years of Farfesha World Dance Studios. She has produced stage shows, workshops, and instructional videos. She founded and still leads Farfesha Belly Dance, New Mexico’s longest running middle eastern dance company. But most important of all, she has used dance to build community, sisterhood, and laughter.
Michelle will be teaching Be the Music: Using Layers, Accents, and Emotions to Express Your Music at this year’s BellyFest.
Myra Krien
Myra Krien is a renowned dance artist, international performer, choreographer, and dance educator. She is known for her elegant and graceful presence as well as her stylistic versatility, from traditional Egyptian (folkloric and modern) Raks Sharqui to classical and contemporary fusion forms.
Based in Santa Fe, NM, Krien directs her school of dance, Pomegranate Studios, Pomegranate SEEDs® (Self-esteem, Empowerment and Education through Dance) a non-profit youth mentorship program, and the esteemed Mosaic Dance Company.
The 2019 recipient of the Santa Fe Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, Krien has performed on some of America's most prestigious stages, toured internationally, performed for PBS and Japanese television, and been reviewed by national publications such as Dance Magazine.
Myra will be teaching an exciting Belly Baile Choreography at this year’s BellyFest.
Oralia
Oralia has spent many years studying, teaching, and performing Middle Eastern Belly Dance across the country, including two study tours in Cairo, Egypt. She has performed with troupes such as the Rak-ettes in New Hampshire and Danza Del Alma in Florida, founded the Gainesville Belly Dance Company, and taught weekly classes for nearly a decade in Oregon and Florida. She currently performs throughout Albuquerque as a solo artist and with the professional troupe Raqzia Raqs Sharqi.
Oralia will be teaching a deep dive into the timeless tarab of Enta Omri at this year’s BellyFest.
Register for Oralia’s Workshop | https://www.raqziabellydance.org