About Us
Adira
Adira discovered belly dancing over 13 years ago, and has been fortunate to study under numerous teachers, local and distant. Dance finds her wherever she goes; Belly dance, Latin, Argentine Tango and more.
The name Adira is Arabic for "powerful", and her style is direct, playful, fearless, honest, mischievous, and confident. These qualities are reflected in her interpretation of the dance.
A 2007 Maine Arts Commission grantee, Adira teaches intermediate belly dance and Argentine Tango classes and has created her own style of fitness class: "Bellyrobics" in Portland, Maine.
Adira has a Masters degree in Microbiology and Immunology (1993), and is by profession a Fitness Trainer (1996), and Massage Therapist (2000).
She teaches many weekly fitness and dance classes and is also a radio DJ, hosting a weekly show "Shaken and Stirred" on Portland Community Radio WMPG (Fridays, 10:30am - noon 90.9/104.1 FM, WMPG.org) which features Gypsy, Middle Eastern, Latin, Cuban, French, African and any other music that grooves.
Ayperi
Ayperi is an elegant and engaging performer, teacher and events producer based in southern Maine. Attracted to the joy inherent to belly dance, a challenging technique, and a whole world of music, Ayperi fell headlong into belly dance in 2004.
Since embarking on her professional solo career in 2008 she has created the quarterly Raqs Borealis performance event; hosted annual workshops with nationally reknowned teachers; performed regionally and nationally; continuted to pursue intensive training with teachers near and far.
The proud co-owner of Bright Star World Dance, a brand new studio in Portland, ME, Ayperi teaches weekly classes in addition to producing numerous performance and educational events.
Ayperi's dance education began with a solid ballet base from childhood at the Maine Dance Center in Ellsworth, ME & later at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA, where she also focused on visual arts.
Ayperi holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied French and Book Arts. She is also a graphic and web designer.
Visit Ayperi's classes page for info & registration.
Based in Portland, Maine, Jon Reece specializes in architectural photography, as well as landscapes, portraits & dance. Most of the images on this website are his work.