Ayperi of Virginia
Photo by Annie McDonald
Background and Training
Ayperi has been a student of Middle Eastern Dance for as long as she can remember. She developed a passion and appreciation for this ancient, beautiful art form at an early age. As a child, she watched and attended bellydance classes instructed by her talented mother. In the following years, Ayperi studied other styles of dance such as ballet, tap, and jazz.
In 2004, she returned to bellydance and began attending weekly classes in Sterling, VA, with Wendy Youssef of Transitions Yoga & Dance. For the past several years, Ayperi has been studying with Katayoun Hutson of Mosaique Language & Cultural Arts. She has also attended several workshops with well-known dancers such as Sadie of Denver, Yasmin, Miramar, Lisa Zahiya, Latifa, Rachel Kay Brookmire, Samira Shuruk, Belladonna Romka and many others.
In January of 2011, Ayperi became a board member of the Tiraz Dance Network, an organization run by dancers that is committed to sharing Middle Eastern Dance through organizing workshops, social events, performance opportunities and resources in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas.
Beginning in January of 2012, Ayperi will be teaching classes at Symmetry Dance Studio in Haymarket, VA. Registration is now open for the first session of the year.
Ayperi will always continue her dance education. The art Middle Eastern dance is made up of such an incredible and vast body of music, style, language, and culture that one could learn and grow forever. She encourages others who find this path to do the same and to embrace the origins and culture in every dance step.
Ayperi also currently performs at various public and private functions in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. She is known for her style and grace, as well as her fluid muscle control and musical interpretation.
Ayperi has been a student of Middle Eastern Dance for as long as she can remember. She developed a passion and appreciation for this ancient, beautiful art form at an early age. As a child, she watched and attended bellydance classes instructed by her talented mother. In the following years, Ayperi studied other styles of dance such as ballet, tap, and jazz.
In 2004, she returned to bellydance and began attending weekly classes in Sterling, VA, with Wendy Youssef of Transitions Yoga & Dance. For the past several years, Ayperi has been studying with Katayoun Hutson of Mosaique Language & Cultural Arts. She has also attended several workshops with well-known dancers such as Sadie of Denver, Yasmin, Miramar, Lisa Zahiya, Latifa, Rachel Kay Brookmire, Samira Shuruk, Belladonna Romka and many others.
In January of 2011, Ayperi became a board member of the Tiraz Dance Network, an organization run by dancers that is committed to sharing Middle Eastern Dance through organizing workshops, social events, performance opportunities and resources in Northern Virginia and surrounding areas.
Beginning in January of 2012, Ayperi will be teaching classes at Symmetry Dance Studio in Haymarket, VA. Registration is now open for the first session of the year.
Ayperi will always continue her dance education. The art Middle Eastern dance is made up of such an incredible and vast body of music, style, language, and culture that one could learn and grow forever. She encourages others who find this path to do the same and to embrace the origins and culture in every dance step.
Ayperi also currently performs at various public and private functions in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. She is known for her style and grace, as well as her fluid muscle control and musical interpretation.
Ayperi's mother, Leyla (the name given to her by the late Ibrahim Farrah). Christmas party at DuPont, 1977
Selected Past Performances
- Mosaique Language & Cultural Arts Dance Showcase, Sahara Lebanese Cuisine, Sterling, VA (November, 2011)
- Performaces at Ali Baba Hookah Bar, Winchester, VA (July, 2011 - September, 2011)
- Nora Taste of Lebanon, Gainesville, VA (August, 2011)
- "Dances of 1,001 Nights: Myths, Legends & Mysteries", NOVA Community College Performance, Sterling, VA (August, 2011)
- Flower and Garden Festival, Leesburg, VA (April, 2011)
- Alf Laylah Wa Laylah hafla, Chantilly, VA (April, 2011)
- Performances at Mezza Grill, Ashburn, VA (April, 2011 - August, 2011))
- Tiraz Dance Network Holiday Hafla, Mediterranian Breeze Restaurant, Ashburn, VA (December 2010)
- 2010 Belly Dance Nationals Competition (Alternative/Fusion Category) Linthicum, MD (November 2010)
- Hafla Night, Mosaic Cafe: Lebanese Restaurant, College Park, MD (August 2010)
- Cultural Dance Showcase to Benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Sterling, VA (June 2010)
- Loudoun County PRCS Belly Dance showcase, Purcellville, VA (June 2010)
- Alf Laylah Wa Laylah hafla, Chantilly, VA (March 2010)
- Tiraz Dance Network Holiday Event, Reston, VA (Dec. 2009)
- Rhythm and Cues Event, Reston, VA (Oct. 2009)
- Mosaique Language & Cultural Arts Show, Reston, VA (Aug. 2009)
- Tiraz Dance Network Convention featured performer, Purcellville, VA (May 2009)
- Poolside Birthday Celebration, Sterling, VA (July, 2009)
- Tally Ho Theater Event, Leesburg, VA (Nov. 2008)
- Yucy El-Banan's Arabian Nights, Alexandria, VA (Sept. 2008)
- Sadie of Denver WAMEDA hafla, College Park, MD (Sept. 2008)
- Silk Road Restaurant, Lansdowne, VA (Aug. 2008 - Oct. 2008)
- Happy Hour performance, Sterling, VA (March, 2008)
- New Year's celebration, Sterling, VA (Dec. 2008)
- Ali Dean Show "As Is," Annandale, VA (Feb., 2008)
- Pomegranate Grill Restaurant, Sterling, VA (Jan. 2008 - June 2008)
- Tiraz Holiday Event, Lansdowne, VA (Dec. 2007)
- Troupe Arabesque performance, Casablanca Restaurant, Alexandria, VA (July 2005 and 2006)