Biography
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Vilia began her dance training at a very young age
after a trip to the ballet with her mother. Seeing the beautiful dancers on stage
inspired her to perform
and she promptly enrolled in ballet classes.
Her studies later
branched out to include musical theatre, tap, jazz and hip hop.
Her local dance studio became her second home.
Soon she was invited to
instruct and coach dancers of all ages and levels.
While pursuing her Business Degree at
Vilia continued to hone her dance skills.
She began working with a
to perform at conventions for the likes of Toshiba and other
large corporations.
Dance had become a major
part of Vilia’s life and it was at this time that she was introduced to
Middle Eastern dance.
Vilia was invited to become a member of the Raks El Anwar dance
company
directed by Middle Eastern Dance Hall of Fame inductee Morwenna
Assaf and her husband,
Lebanese drummer Walid Assaf.
Under their tutelage, Vilia began performing professionally at
a number of Middle Eastern venues throughout
Hajji Baba,
Currently Vilia has evolved into an accomplished and popular
Middle Eastern dance soloist
who can be seen performing throughout Southern California and
Performing in
for various private parties, weddings and functions, Vilia also takes time to
participate in local stage productions
and charity events.
Her teaching skills have placed her on staff at University of California San Diego
where she teaches classes every quarter.
Vilia firmly believes that a dancer’s training never ends lest the artist become stagnant.
Currently, she studies with the renowned Middle Eastern performer, instructor and choreographer
Suhaila Salimpour and her legendary mother, Jamila Salimpour.
Vilia is Level II certified in Suhaila’s cutting edge Middle Eastern dance
training program and looks forward to continuing her studies
through all five phases of the certification process.
Vilia’s main objective is to use every facet of her dance
expertise and extensive training
to expose, educate and
entertain others in the art of Middle Eastern Dance.
Through this dance form, Vilia has found a conduit through which
to express her creativity
and to help others experience and participate in what she
considers to be
a beautiful and moving art form.
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