Suhaila Salimpour

Born to Jamila Salimpour, a pioneer in the world of Middle Eastern dance, and Ardeshir Salimpour, a Persian drummer, Suhaila's unique background has prepared her to become one of the world's most sought-after performers, teachers, and choreographers of traditional Middle Eastern dance.

Classically trained from an early age in jazz, tap and ballet, Suhaila's first breakthrough came when she integrated her extensive classical training with her traditional background in Middle Eastern dance. The result was as exciting as it was special. Suhaila's performances expressed the emotional soul and rhythm of ancient dance, with the discipline and structured movement of the modern era.

Suhaila has been featured in shows with the most renowned singers in the Middle East, and was the first American belly dancer to be interviewed on Arab-American television. Suhaila choreographed American rock videos using a combination of her jazz training and Middle Eastern dance movements, and her unique vision can be seen today in "The Suhaila Dance Company."

Suhaila is the artistic director of the Suhaila Dance Company which she formed in 1996, and in 2000 Suhaila also revived her mother's famous tribal dance company Bal Anat which was the first tribal dance company in the World. While touring the United States, Canada, and Europe giving workshops and concerts, Suhaila maintains the second generation family business, The Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance. Currently, Suhaila has finalized the first certification program ever available in Middle Eastern Dance which includes 5 levels of books and a soon to be release video and DVD series. Suhaila has also worked with producer Miles Copeland in a series of performances, videos, and films for Belly Dance Superstars.