Biography

...classic, graceful, elegant, breathtaking, surprising, sparkling, entertaining ...

Amira Iriz's father's ancestors settled in San German, Puerto Rico, with his maternal grandmother being from Sevilla, Spain. Amira's actual surname, Irizarry, is Basque, a gift from her great-grandfather on her father's side. Her mother's family settled in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Her grandmother was also the child of a Sevillana. Her mother's paternal grandfather was also born in Sevilla and arrived in Puerto Rico as a child of two. Both her parents were born in Cabo Rojo. Amira was born in Manhattan and lived on West 64th Street near Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. It figures she has always lived a life of music and dance. Throughout her life she has also been an avid ice skater, dancing and gliding since the age of 11 with accomplished ISIA levels up to Free Style 1. Growing up Amira loved classical music and took up the clarinet at age 13 and played in orchestras as a teen at Lincoln Center (of course), The Waldorf Astoria and on some local radio stations. In addition, she also played guitar and "dabbled" in piano and oboe. Unfortunately, because of a jaw surgery, Amira does not play clarinet anymore but still enjoys classical music. Some of her musician friends in the middle eastern dance industry still try to get her to try to play since she would be a great asset to the Egyptian sound of today.

Amira Iriz has performed for over 10 years at many multi-ethnic restaurants, private functions and clubs in the tri-state area, including regular international performances in Cancun, Mexico. Amira has also been engaged for various TV shows, as a dancer-model for video and CD projects as well as a model for art gallery showings. Amira's long time mentor and friend is Aszmara Sherry to whom she is eternally grateful to for her patience, support, friendship, advice and, especially, her technical teaching ability. Amira has also been taught by Samara, Yousry Sharif, the late Renate (who she got her sword prowess from), Ranya and Orit Maftsir of Israel.

Amira formed Arabian Dreams to bring the talents of dancers to the forefront of the Middle Eastern dance arena through dance production and sponsorship. She produced Manhattan showcases of "The Light of the Arabian World", "An Evening of Middle Eastern & Hawaiian Dance II", and "Valley of the Kings Presents Layla Taj, An International Star Dancer" which were overwhelming successes to name a few. Amira has also sponsored student showcases in partnership with such notables as Aszmara, Julia-Jewel of the Nile, Layla Mary, Rayhana, and Zoë Kennedy. In addition, she's presented Shoshana, Aszmara, Julia-Jewel of the Nile, Oreet Jehassi, and Layla Taj as her guest dancers.

Amira, having been invited onto the opera stage several times as a dancer and bit player, also engaged in sword play in 2001 in the Triumphal Scene of Giuseppe Verdi's, "Aida" in The New York Grand Opera Stage in Central Park, New York. Her performance in "Aida" was described as "highly professional" in a "difficult venue" by LGNY. Middle Eastern dancers have not been invited to dance in "Aida" by the New York Grand Opera since 1982 and Amira’s invitation to the stage was a great honor. She was again invited to reprise her role opposite Ayshe Sloboba this past August 2008 where the performance earned mention in the New York Sun and the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

Since creating The Serpentine Sword Dancers (SSD) in 2001, which was made up of seasoned professionals, Amira has become well known for her sword dance. Her playfulness and ease of comfort with the sword astound her audiences. She will be organizing another troupe of dancers to do precision sword dances in the coming Fall 2008 season.

Currently, Amira Iriz is engaged for select performances at restaurants and showcases by invitation only.

See performances for more information on all middle eastern performances and related events or you may contact her at: danceamira@gmail.com.