Maresha became involved in Middle Eastern Dance in 1975 and began taking classes offered through Mobile Community Activities. Since that time, she has traveled extensively throughout the southeast attending dance seminars in order to study with internationally known Middle Eastern dance artists.
Additionally, Maresha traveled to Egypt and Turkey to further enhance her knowledge of this ancient art form. She currently teaches Middle Eastern Dance through Mobile Community Activities and the University of South Alabama Department of Continuing Education. In June 2001, Maresha attained Level I Certification with the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance (SSSD) in California.
Qursana, President
I have always been enchanted by the mysticism and ceremony involved with Middle Eastern Dance. There is undeniable beauty and I have always wanted to be a part of it.
Looking for a hobby and a way to encourage my self-awareness, I came across a local instructor and signed up in February 2001. I have danced ever since. I have, since, had the pleasure of performing with the most talented troupe of Divas, the Zuri troupe. They have provided me with opportunities to study with several diverse instructors such as Zuhara Zuhair and an open door to many new experiences.
Safia al-Zarqa, Vice-President/Secretary
I have always enjoyed dancing. I took some ballet classes as a young girl, but didn't keep up with it as an adult.
Five years ago I treated myself to some bellydancing classes as a birthday present. I haven't looked back.
Middle Eastern dance is great excercise, fun, and really freeing. It's the only form
of dance that I know of that encourages dancers to make moves their own, to express themselves fully.
Dancing with Zuri is a true joy for me.
Zelia, Treasurer
I started taking ballet, jazz and tap when I was 4yrs old. I started belly dancing in 1981. I joined Zuri in the early eighties. I have traveled around the Southeastern United States attending workshops and performing. I have performed candle dance, veil dance, cane dance and zills.
Amira, Public Relations Manager
Amira began with dancing lessons in 2001 after seeing the Zuri Dancers perform at the Mobile International Festival. With absolutely no dancing background at all, belly dancing has been a challenge for her, and the friendship and fun has been worth it all. Belly dancing has brought a style and grace to her that no other exercise program could.
She has attended Karen Barbee's and Petite Jamilla's seminars to further enhance her training, and performed at the Mobile International Festival, Mobile County/City Day, the Wilmer RenFaire, and Mobicon.
Akyla
Currently as a member of the Zuri dance company, I am also working on my Ph.D. I initially sought out bellydancing as a means to de-stress from the perils of graduate school and get some exercise. But after having my first class, I knew I definitely wanted to pursue this dance form. I became addicted to the music and of course the costumes!
I have attended seminars including Karen Barbee, Ansuya of the Bellydance Superstars, Petite Jamilla, Amani Jabril, Sonya of the Bellydance Superstars, Megha, Rachel of Devadsi, Laylia, and Xenobia. I am also a member of the Three Mahasins with Badia and Melania of Zuri. I started bellydancing in 2003 and made the Zuri Troupe in 2004.
Anya Sakashi
Anya Sakashi began belly dancing in 1974 in Lucedale, Mississippi. Later through the Mobile Community Activities in Mobile, AL she danced for several years in and around the city. During that time she performed several times at the Zitsos Restaurant when it was located on Government Street, at the annual Mobile Arts & Crafts Fair and entertained at other social and civic organization functions.
Over her years as a belly dancer, Anya has attended many workshops
to study with internationally known Middle Eastern dance artists such as Suhaila, Cassandra, Zahra Zuhair, FCBD, Karen Barbee, and the late Ibrahim Farrah.
Anya feels she was BORN TO DANCE.
Badia
I started dancing back in 2003. After my first class, like everyone else I was hooked. I love everything about bellydance and how it makes me feel. I love all forms of dance.
Chione
I have always enjoyed dancing but, like most of us, daily life interferes. I began beginner belly dance at the University of South Alabama in the summer of 2007 as a means to "get away" from the house after having my son earlier that year. I fell in love with the music, the moves, and especially the other ladies that made it so much fun. I feel more confident about my body and I wear more make up than I ever have! It is an exhilarating experience that I hope to enjoy for years to come!
Fatin, Costume Mistress
I began Middle Eastern dance as a means of “non-boring” exercise. I was soon addicted. Having no prior dance experience, I quickly realized it would take hours of practice before my inner diva was freed. My practice paid off in 2005 when I joined the Zuri Company of Mobile.
Kala Kamilah
I have always been interested in dance but never took lessons as a child. While surfing the net, I happened upon Shira's bellydance website and it had a link where you could find a bellydancing instructor in your area. A bellydance instructor in my area??? Yeah, right! Imagine my surprise when I found out about Zuri! I have been happily dancing since 2000 minus a brief break in 2004.
Kalena
I took jazz and tap at a very young age and have danced ballroom at gatherings with my father all my life.
In 2005 I contacted a friend and asked if she was still dancing with Zuri and where their next performance was going to be. After I watched Zuri and saw how beautiful the dancing was I signed up for lessons and have been hooked ever since.
Maresha decided to add a student group in 2006 and Hyetti was born. I was lucky enough to be one of the first group members of Hyetti and now I am pround to say I am a Zuri dancer.
Najila
I took jazz, tap and played the piano from 7 years old until I was 17. I've been away from music and dance for a long time. For the past few years, I've been looking for some type of adult dance class, and I've finally found it. I am having the best time! The music just reaches down deep and makes you want to get up and dance. And the costumes - well, dress up has always been my favorite activity!
Nisaa
I became interested in Middle Eastern dance in 2004. Although I'd never had an interest in studying dance, I loved to dance with friends and at social gatherings. When a friend told me about belly dance classes, I had to try it! It's been a joy ever since.
The thing that appealed to me most about Middle Eastern dance is that it is all about the beauty of women. It is dance by women, for women. Having the opportunity to dance with Zuri under the guidance of Maresha, has given me the freedom and encouragement to be as beautiful as I can be, and to express that beauty all women possess. I look forward to my affiliation with Zuri and am humbled by the talented women with whom I will have the opportunity to dance.
Sarina Shiraz, MySpace Minister
I've performed in many theatrical productions since the late 1980's. I've always loved dance and took ballet classes up until college. I never enjoyed ballet enough to do anything with it. I also took classes in fencing and martial arts . It wasn't until October of 2006 that I discovered Belly Dance. I was instantly hooked after my first beginning class. Since that time I have engrossed myself in every class and workshop that I could. Belly Dance has taught me how to love my body. I have never been more confident in myself!
Shamat, Web Minister
I started dancing in 1981 with jazz, ballet, and modern dance. I later became interested in Middle Eastern folk dance as part of another hobby I have, the SCA , and after seeing the Zuri troupe perform at First Night, I knew I could learn a lot from them and look really good at SCA events. So I joined a class and muscled my way into the company. They have been stuck with me ever since.
I attend seminars when I can. I have learned some wonderful things from people like Maresha, Suhaila, Cassandra, Shoshanna, Eva Cernik, and other fine teachers of this art.
Ziva
ZivaDiva has been dancing with Zuri for almost ten years. She teaches belly dance in Daphne, Alabama. You can find out more about ZivaDiva at MySpace.