Shajara is a Chicago‐based fusion bellydancer who blends influences from Middle Eastern, Spanish, tribal, and modern dance, among other styles. In her youth, Shajara studied theater, jazz dance and martial arts, in addition to the musical pursuits of guitar and harpsichord. In 2000, she walked into her first bellydance workshop, taught by the tribal group Read My Hips. Shajara later obtained a BA in English and Anthropology, the latter discipline which allowed her the opportunity to spend nine months studying and working in Morocco. It was in this culturally‐rich country that she was exposed to both traditional Berber dance and Oriental cabaret. Shajara devoted extensive academic study to North Africa and Algerian Rai music, and years later was able to perform her first drum solo alongside the British‐Algerian Rai singer Abdelkader Saadoun.
Shajara's love of travel and curiosity of foreign countries has led her to explore such places as Spain, Egypt, Greece, Palestine, Lebanon, Turkey, Hungary, and France. After some years of wanderlust, she resolved to continue her studies, and obtained an MA in Middle Eastern/North African Studies. Although school and travel had long hindered her ability to study dance on regular basis, in 2009, Shajara moved to Chicago in order to pursue dance on a more serious level, where she has taken classes and workshops with both local and international dancers including Jolie Roberson (tribal fusion), Mae Phillips (gothic fusion), AsaliNaimah (oriental), Mahira (oriental), and Zoe Jakes (tribal fusion) . She also explores other dance forms which she frequently incorporates into her dance style, including tango, salsa, and flamenco. In 2010, Shajara joined the Girlie-Q variety show ensemble, which inspired her to develop theatrical, character-based choreographies and to incorporate non-traditional concepts into bellydance. Currently an independent performer, she has danced in a variety of capacities and venues.
Shajara currently resides in Madrid, Spain, where she has taken classes and workshops with international dancers including Elisheva (tribal fusion/modern), Crystal Silmi (urban fusion), Monica Sade (world fusion), Kati "La Zingara" (flamenco-oriental), and Victor Bravo (flamenco), among others. She currently studies under the direction of maestras Chandra (tribal/gothic fusion) and Morgana (tribal fusion/funky, among other styles).
Shajara's love of travel and curiosity of foreign countries has led her to explore such places as Spain, Egypt, Greece, Palestine, Lebanon, Turkey, Hungary, and France. After some years of wanderlust, she resolved to continue her studies, and obtained an MA in Middle Eastern/North African Studies. Although school and travel had long hindered her ability to study dance on regular basis, in 2009, Shajara moved to Chicago in order to pursue dance on a more serious level, where she has taken classes and workshops with both local and international dancers including Jolie Roberson (tribal fusion), Mae Phillips (gothic fusion), AsaliNaimah (oriental), Mahira (oriental), and Zoe Jakes (tribal fusion) . She also explores other dance forms which she frequently incorporates into her dance style, including tango, salsa, and flamenco. In 2010, Shajara joined the Girlie-Q variety show ensemble, which inspired her to develop theatrical, character-based choreographies and to incorporate non-traditional concepts into bellydance. Currently an independent performer, she has danced in a variety of capacities and venues.
Shajara currently resides in Madrid, Spain, where she has taken classes and workshops with international dancers including Elisheva (tribal fusion/modern), Crystal Silmi (urban fusion), Monica Sade (world fusion), Kati "La Zingara" (flamenco-oriental), and Victor Bravo (flamenco), among others. She currently studies under the direction of maestras Chandra (tribal/gothic fusion) and Morgana (tribal fusion/funky, among other styles).
