Shira's Credentials

Biography

Julie Elliot (also known as Shira) is known worldwide for her work as a researcher, author, and publisher of information on Middle Eastern dance, music, and culture. She has been interviewed by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal for stories on Middle Eastern dance, and is highly sought after as a contributor to magazines centered on this art form. This web site, www.shira.net, is the most comprehensive and most linked-to Oriental dance web site in the world. Elliot serves as a staff writer for three publications focused on Middle Eastern dance, including Jareeda, Gilded Serpent, and Zaghareet.

Although she had already been dancing many years by then, in 1997 Elliot began her serious study and research into the historical and cultural foundations of Middle Eastern dance. For continuing education, she has traveled three times to Turkey and eight times to Egypt.

Her academic credentials include:

• Bachelor of Arts. University of Iowa. 1979, double major in journalism & French
• Master of Business Administration. University of Iowa. 1982.

At this time, Elliot is based in Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

Academic Endeavors

Oriental Dance: Egypt's Shameful Profession" Lecture / Video

• Saqra's Showcase. Portland, Oregon. April 2009.
• Arabic Arts Festival. Liverpool, England. July, 2008.
• International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Toronto, Canada. April, 2008.

Panel Discussions

• "Spanish Dance Through the Centuries". Iowa City, Iowa. November, 2007. Event was funded by Humanities Iowa grant.
• "Dance in Egyptian Cinema". Iowa City, Iowa. July, 2006. One of the panelists was Mahmoud Reda.
• "Professionalism in Middle Eastern Dance". International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Toronto, Canada. April, 2007.
• "The Future of Belly Dance". Carnival of Stars. Hayward, California. November, 2004.

"Egyptian Dance: Evolution of an Art Form" Lecture / Video

• Liquid Hip Therapy. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. April 2009.
• Northern Lights Belly Dance Festival. Cable, Wisconsin. October, 2007.
• Diva Soma Studio Grand Opening. Omaha, Nebraska. August, 2007.
• Saqra's Showcase. Portland, Oregon. April, 2006.
• Kahraman Dance Studio. Iowa City, Iowa. September, 2005.

"Dance in Egyptian Cinema" Lecture / Video

• Cassandra's Festival Forum. Minneapolis, Minnesota. October, 2007.
• International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Toronto, Canada. April, 2007.

"Artistic Marketing" Lecture

• Diva Soma Dance Studio Grand Opening. Omaha, Nebraska. August, 2007.
• Arts a la Carte. Iowa City, Iowa. November, 2006.

Egyptian & Trival: Sibling Rivalry & Sisterly Love

• Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive. Las Vegas, Nevada. September, 2009.

Articles

• Mahmoud Reda Interview. July 2006. Topic covered the origins of Reda Troupe dances. This led to a 9-part series of articles based on the interview which began appearing in Zaghareet Magazine with the November/December 2006 issue.

Interview Subject

• Featured on the cover of Zaghareet Magazine in the May/June 2009 issue, with an accompanying interview inside the magazine.
• Interviewed / quoted by the New York Times for the obituary of Tahia Carioca in 1999.
  

Continuing Education

Travel to Egypt

• April, 2010. Continuing education in Egyptian culture, including sha'abi clubs and dance style.
• June, 2009. Continuing education in Egyptian culture, including sha'abi clubs and dance style.
• June & July, 2008. Included dance workshop with Raqia Hassan.
• July, 2007. Continuing education in Egyptian culture.
• June, 2006. Included dance workshops with Sema Yildiz, Matrouh Folk Ensemble, Raqia Hassan, Khairiyya Maazin, and others.
• June, 2005. Included dance workshops with Khairiyya Maazin and Randa Kamel.
• June, 2004. Included dance workshops with Hamada Hossam, Khairiyya Maazin, Loubna, and Dandash.
• Summer, 2003. Included dance workshops with Hamada Hossam, Khairiyya Maazin, Raqia Hassan, Aida Nour, Dina, Nagwa Fouad, Dandash, and others.
• January, 1999. Included semi-private lesson with Nadia Hamdi.

Travel to Turkey

• July 2008. Continuing education in Turkish culture and dance.
• July, 2006. Continuing education in Turkish culture and dance.
• July, 2000. Continuing education in Turkish culture and dance.

Highlights of Workshops Attended in North America

• January, 2009. "Journey Through Egypt, Levels 1 & 2." Sahra Kent.
• July, 2007. Mahmoud Reda.
• April, 2007. International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Sahra Kent, Randa Kamel.
• July, 2006. Mahmoud Reda.

Other Notes

• Studying Near Eastern dance since 1981.
• Teaching Near Eastern dance since 1997.
• Staff writer for three magazines serving the Near Eastern dance community, including Zaghareet, Jareeda, and Gilded Serpent.
• Dancer with the University of Iowa Scottish Highlanders: 1979-1982.
• Member of University of Iowa International Folk Dance Club: 1979-1982.
• Education:
  • Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa in 1979, with double major in journalism and French.
  • Master of Business Administration degree from University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa in 1982, with specialty in management sciences.