My name is Ginnette Shahar Perera. I am originally from Alajuela, Costa Rica, Central America. I started my career as a professional dancer in 1998 in Miami, Florida. As a dancer and performer I master several styles such as: Authentic Egyptian Cabaret and Folkloric Dances, Turkish Style, Latin Fusion, Indian Style Bollywood and Bhangra, American Tribal and Fusion Tribal Style Belly Dance.

For several years I was an instructor at the Mid Eastern Dance Exchange (1998 to 2006) under the direction of Tamalyn Dallal, also at Springs Dance Center under the direction of Lourdes Albarellos, (2000 to 2006) and at An Awakening Dream Dance Studio for the Arts (2003 to 2006), all in Miami Florida. I also taught belly dancing at iTiger Taekwondo in Winchester, Virginia (2010-2011). I teach all levels, from beginners to advance and Urban/Fusion Tribal Style Belly Dance which I introduced in Miami Beach, Florida and became the director of “Tazil Tribe” a Mid Eastern Dance Exchange Performing Company. In 2006 I moved to Winchester, Virginia where I continued to dance and teach as well. In September of 2011 I moved back to Miami, Florida and continue to teach and perform to this date.

I have performed at various functions and venues from more formal settings including educational shows, theaters, festivals and many promotional and charitable events to private celebrations all throughout South Florida and other states and countries such as, Seattle, Washington, Las Vegas, Nevada, San Diego, California, San Francisco, California, Winchester, Virginia, Strasburg, Virginia, Front Royal, Virginia, Washington D.C, San Jose, Costa Rica, El Salvador, San Salvador, Valencia, Venezuela, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Toronto, Canada, Ottowa, Canada and Sao Paulo, Brazil with Tony Mouzayek singer/musician of soap opera “El Clon”.

I have taught workshops in the United States, San Jose, Costa Rica, Valencia, Venezuela with musician Mario Kirlis from Argentina and received a personal invitation by Madam Raqia Hassan to visit Cairo, Egypt and introduce Tribal/Fusion Style Belly Dancing at the “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” festival in 2006.

My experience as a dancer and choreographer allowed me to serve as a judge for the selection of dancers for the Orange Bowl half time extravaganza in Miami, Florida.

I continue to improve my skills as a professional dancer by attending conferences, classes, and workshops on a regular basis. Following are the names of the many professionals whom I have had the privilege of learning from and some of whom I have danced with:

Tamalyn Dallal (my mentor ), Dina from Egypt, Mahmoud Reda, Gazal, Nourhan Sharif, Dolphina, Shareen El Safy, Raqia Hassan, Fathei from Tunisia, Badia, Dondi Dahleen, Noora, Belly Queen with Amar Gamal, Keishi and Jenna, Katak Indian Dancer and percussionist Nandkishore Muley, Amir Thaleb from Argentina, Amel Tafsout from Algeria, Miriam Eli (percussionist for Shakira) and Joe Zeytoonian Harmonic Motion, Bozenka, (choreographer for Shakira), Lamis, Virginia, Samay, Sofia Lachapel, Fajwa, Kalinka from Russia, Maria Jamal from Morroco, Aireen Ortega, Hanan, Feiruz, Sheherazade, Horacio and Beata Cifuentes from Germany, Harish Kumar from the group MAHARAJAH from Rajistan India, Ansuya, Jillina, Fatem Salama, Alexandra King, Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes and Mardi Love, The Indigo, Urban Tribal, Kassar, Kami Liddle, Hayat El Helwa from Brasil, Nejla Yatkin from Washington D.C. Randa Kamel from Egypt, Mira Betz, Jill Parker Ultra Gypsy, Unmata, Khafeef, Tobias Robertson percussionist, Gypsy Keltz and Domba with Heidi, Ahmet Luleci from Turkey, Mohamad Shahin from Egypt, Najma from Atlanta, Georgia, Sevdije from Tampa, Florida,Ting-Yu Chen, Winchester, Virginia and Xiomara from Miami, Florida.

My professional career has afforded me the opportunity to perform at many venues, listed are a few:

• Guzman Theater for the Performing Arts (“Infinito” Theatrical Concert with “The Mid Eastern Dance Exchange and the Arabian Ballet of Buenos Aires”) 2001. “Dance For Life”, 2003, Aids Research Fundraiser.
• Video for Rapper MASTER P, “Rock it” filmed in Miami Florida for BET, MTV and VH1. Director Bernard Gourley, Camera Joe Labisi. May 2002.
• Jackie Gleason Performing Arts Theater, Miami Beach, Florida. Invitation to the Arts 2004, 2005 and FOX SPORTS 2004 with pop singer “Sabrina”.
• Royal College, Class of 1963 Reunion, Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2002.
• International Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Theme, “The Jewel of the Nile”. 2005.
• Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Museum of Art. King Tut Exhibit, 2005-2006.
• Lago Mar Hotel and Resort, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs’s Sponsors Party. 2006.
• China White, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 2005.
• Miccosukee Hotel and Casino, Miami, Florida, 2005.
• Sea Lord Hotel, Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, 2005.
• 50th Birthday Party for Mr. Sampath Wijesinghe, Toronto, Canada.
• Family Reunion Party, Ottowa, Canada.
• Mykonos Greek Restaurant, Coral Gables, Florida.
• Club Liquid, Miami Beach, Florida.
• Signature Grand, Davie, Florida.
• El Baraka Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
• Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Naples, Florida.
• Loews Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida.
• TuTu Tango, Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida.
• Miami Dade Public Library System.
• Miami Dade Public School System.
• Commercial for Univision.com channel 23, Spanish T.V with El Gordo.
• Channel 51, Spanish Talk Show, Miami, Florida.
• Deco Drive, Channel 7, NBC News, Channel 6 and Channel 10, Miami Fl.
• Wild Oats Food Market, Miami Beach.
• Oleeta River, Miami Florida.
• Miami Springs River Festival. 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
• Wallflower Gallery, Downtown Miami, Florida.
• “Orientalia” Middle Eastern Music and Dance Festival, Miami Beach. 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.
• Banquet Hall, Cle Elum Eagles, Seattle Washington.
• Sri Lankan Medical Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Maxim’s Models, Mall de las Americas. Miami, Fl.
• Miami Museum of Science, Egyptology Society.
• Metro Zoo, Miami Florida.
• Trail Theater, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida
• Radisson Hotel, Maxim’s Models Annual Fashion Show, Miami Fl.
• Sheraton Hotel, Bal Harbor, Miami Fl.
• Orange Bowl Parade 2000 “A Walk on the Wild Side”, Miami, Fl.
• Baptist Hospital, Miami Fl.
• Club Space, Downtown Miami.
• Coconut Grove Isle, Miami Fl.
• Isla Bahia, Ft Lauderdale, Fl.
• The Point, Miami Fl.
• Monty’s Miami Beach, Florida.
• Koury’s Lebanese Restaurant, Miami, Florida.
• The Crowe Bar, Miami Beach, Florida.
• Second Thursday’s Art Week, Miami Beach, Florida.
• Italian American Club, Tamarac, Florida.
• The Daily Bread, Coral Gables, Florida.
• Regal Cinema, Miami Beach (Opening of “The Mummy Returns.”)
• Regal Cinema, Kendall Drive 9, Kendall Florida (Opening of “Tomb Raider”)
• Mercury Theater opening of movie “Vengo”, Miami, Florida.
• The Forge, Miami Beach, Florida. Party with Hugh Hefner.
• Café Miro, Miami Beach, Florida.
• Miami Art Museum, Miami, Florida.
• Miami Beach Fitness Festival, Miami Beach, Florida.
• Fisher Island, Vanderbilt Mansion, Florida.
• Vizcaya, Miami Fl.
• Hoy Como Ayer Night Club, Little Havana, Florida
• Omni Colonnade Hotel, Coral Gables, Bank Hapoalim, Miami, Florida.
• Joharah International 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004 Miami, Florida.
• Nirvana Spa Grand Opening, Bal Harbor, Florida.
• Bash, Miami Beach.
• Touch, Miami Beach.
• Miami Springs Senior High, Spring Fashion Show, 2000 & 2001.
• Miami Springs Middle School.
• Miami Springs Elementary School.
• Miami Springs Women’s Club.
• Miami Springs First Presbyterian Church, Valentine’s Day Reception.
• Boca Raton, International Country Club.
• Williams Island, Miami Fl.
• Festival “Yachad” Israeli Dance Festival, Miami, Florida.
• Manuel Artime Theater, Miami Fl.
• Numerous Nursing Homes throughout South Fl.
• J. C’s Night Club, Hollywood, Florida.
• Spanish Monastery, Miami Florida. Apathy and Passion 2004.
• Fountain Blue Grand Ball Room, Miami Florida.
• Morrocan Nights, Coral Gables, Florida.
• Miami Art Museum, Nashrin Shirat Exhibit 2003.
• Imlee Indian Restaurant, Miami Florida.
• Sofitel 2003 Hair Stylist Convention.
• Hyatt Hotel, Miami Florida. With Middle Eastern Singer Nawal El Zoghbi.
• Churrascaria Fogo Dos Pampas, Sao Paulo Brasil, with Tony Mouzayek.
• Hotel Crowne Plaza, Sao Paulo Brasil with Hayat El Helwa.
• Miami Springs Golf and Country Club “Fashion Shows”. Miami, Florida.
• Wolkenlos Travel Program, Germany T.V.
• El Manara, Middle Eastern Restaurant, Hotel Raddisson, Miami, Florida.
• Hoy Como Ayer, Little Havana, Miami, Florida with Hanan.
• T.V. Show “Buen Dia”, Channel 7, San Jose, Costa Rica. 2003.
• Wedding, El Salvador, San Salvador, 2004
• Restaurant Aya Sofia, San Jose, Costa Rica. 2003
• Restaurant y Bar Jazz Café, San Jose, Costa Rica. 2003
• Mandarin Hotel. Miami, Florida.
• Oxygen Night Club, Miami Florida.
• Club Score, Miami Beach, Florida.
• Telemundo, Protagonistas de la Fama. Channel 51
• Miami Dade County Auditorium.
• Star Island, Miami Florida. Fundraiser for Best Buddies with pop singer Macy Grey.
• Wedding Style Magazine 2003.
• El Forum, Valencia, Venezuela, Salon V.I.P. 2006
• Balbek Restaurant, San Jose Costa Rica, 2006.
• Hotel Crown Plaza, Little Egypt with Raqia Hassan and Randa Kamel, 2006.
• Episcopal Church, Front Royal, Virginia fundraiser for “Blue Ridge Educational Center”. 2008, 2009, 2010.
• Strasburg Theater “Oriental” Strasburg, Virginia. 2008.
• American University Harold and Sylvia Greenburg Theater, Washington D.C “A Fancy Weekend Spectacular”, with Sahara Dance and the Indigo (Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes and Mardi Love) 2008.
• Desert Silence, Manuel Artime Theater, Miami, Florida. 2008.
• Gala Show, Berryville, Virginia, with Shareen El Safy. 2008.
• George Washington Hotel, Winchester, Virginia. Fundraiser Breast Cancer Research. 2009.
• Shenandoah University Ohrstrom-Bryant Auditorium, Winchester, Va. Going Global Project, 2010.

The following are locations I have taught:

• Avanti Gym, Brickell Ave. Downtown Miami.
• University Center for the Performing Arts, Davie, Florida.
• Florida International University.
• Crunch, Miami Beach, Fl.
• Gold’s Gym, Miami Beach.
• Maxim’s Models, Mall de las Americas, Miami, Florida.
• Miami Springs Elementary School.
  
• Mid Eastern Dance Exchange, Miami Beach, Fl.
• University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fl.
• Miami-Dade Community College, Fl.
• Pro Danza Dance Studios, San Jose, Costa Rica.
• Springs Dance Center, Miami Springs, Florida.
• Giro Danza, San Jose, Costa Rica.
• Norland Middle School. Magnet School for the Arts. Miami, Florida.
• An Awakening Dream Dance Studio for the Arts. Miami, Florida.
• Forum de Valencia, Valencia Venezuela, 2006.
• The Warehouse, San Jose Costa Rica, 2006.
• Gold’s Gym, Winchester, Va. 2009.
• Shenandoah University, Winchester, Va. 2010
• iTiger Taekwondo, Winchester, Va. 2010-2011.