The multi-faceted
career of Mira Betz is a testament to her passionate artistry and
desire for continual growth. Active in theater, dance and the performing
arts for 20 years, Mira Betz has become a sought after dancer, choreographer,
costumer, and teacher. Nominated "Instructor of the year"
by Zaghareet Magazine, Mira is a valued instuctor at prestigeous
festivals and camps across the nation, as well as at the Malonga
Arts Collective in Oakland California.
Mira began her training
in Middle Eastern dance as a young teen studying with some of the
most respected and knowledgeable teachers of our time, such as Katarina
Burda, Jamila Salimpour, and Suhaila Salimpour. As a founding member,
choreographer, and solo performer of Aywah! Ethnic Dance Company
for 10 years, she developed a solid foundation of contemporary,
traditional, as well as ritualistic dance forms. Aywah!, under the
direction of Katarina Burda, flourished to become one of the San
Francisco Bay Area's most respected ethnic dance companies and significantly
influenced today'sTribal Fusion scene. In 1998 Mira went abroad
to live and study the native dances ofMorocco.
In 2007 she co-founded
the Barbary Coast Shakedown, a collaboration of Middle Eastern dance
professionals exploring theatrical dance performance. In spring
2006 she was a guest choreographer for Jill Parker and her company
Ultra Gypsy. In 2004-2005 Mira toured nationally with renowned drummer
Tobias Roberson and was the artistic director of the ECHOS Project;
a collaboration of choreographers in the San Francisco Bay Area
supporting the exploration of traditional and experimental music
and dance fusion. Mira was a featured dancer at the Renaissance
Pleasure Faire from1994-2002. She has performed on such infamous
stages as the Fillmore in San Francisco, the Hollywood Bowl in LA,
Humphrey's in San Diego, the Knitting Factory in NYC and night clubs
and restaurants across the US. She has had the pleasure of working
with incredible talent such as David Byrne, Rachel Brice, Jill Parker,
Zoe Jakes, Elizabeth Strong, Heather Stants, Amy Sigil and many
more. Mira Betz received her B.F.A. from the California College
of Arts and Crafts. Her dance background includes training in Salsa,
Modern, Jazz, and Flamenco.
Mira continues to spread her experience, knowledge and love for
dance through her captivating performance and engaging teaching
style.