Samira Nour

As a child, Samira Nour dreamt of becoming a belly dancer. But, as she grew and became occupied with academic goals, her dream became a distant memory. While pursuing a PhD at Michigan State, Samira was overwhelmed and saw an ad for belly dance classes. Immediately, Samira’s memory was re-awakened, a spark ignited and Samira’s childhood dream began to take shape. From her first belly dance class, Samira’s stress began to melt away, and was replaced by a renewed sense of balance. Samira’s initial spark of interest grew into a steady desire as she studied with world renown belly dance teachers and choreographers: Amira Mor, Norhan and Yousry Sharif, Michelle DeVine, and Tasha to name a few.

Samira began teaching belly dance in 2004 and performing professionally in 2005. She has performed for comedian and sister belly dancer, Margaret Cho, and has graced stages and restaurants throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Massachusetts and Maine. Samira has lectured, performed and taught the art of belly dance at many colleges and universities on the East Coast and developed and implemented a Cultural Enrichment Dance Camp for pre-teen girls.

Samira’s love for dance expands into Yoga Dance ®, as she is a certified Kripalu Yoga Dance teacher and has completed a course in Pre-Natal Yoga with Janice Clarfield of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Samira holds a BA degree in Lusophone Studies, the study of the Portuguese language and the countries that speak Portuguese and an MA in Higher Education, Student Affairs with a concentration in multiculturalism and diversity. Both degrees are from the University of Connecticut.

Over the years Samira has glimpsed broader implications of the art form of belly dance. Samira has witnessed women transcend cultural limitations of body image and experience a more complete expression of the authentic self, which allows for self-healing and personal growth.

Former Director of Multicultural Affairs at York College of Pennsylvania, Samira has spent over 14 years honing her career in student affairs. She has provided diversity trainings, workshops and classes for many institutions of higher education, school districts and private/ not- for- profit agencies.

Samira loves working with college students and is family oriented. Through combining her passion for teaching diversity and multiculturalism with the ancient art form of belly dance, Samira is able to have the best of both worlds. “I am able to teach young girls and women about self-esteem, positive body image and cultures from around the world. Over time women feel empowered, their bodies feel strong…it is a wonderful feeling to bear witness to the transformation women go through after a workshop, class or performance…I am honored.”