Biography

You Belong on the Dance Floor

I'm Lenora Noire. I help dancers eliminate imposter syndrome and build confidence in their movement—whether they’re stepping into the studio for the first time or refining their artistry.

I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember. My journey began like many others—dreaming of ballet, moving through different styles, and eventually falling in love with raqs sharqi (belly dance). While studying dance alongside my anthropology degree, I discovered how deeply movement connects us to history, culture, and identity.

Since 2013, I’ve been honored to teach and perform belly dance across Arizona, sharing the stage and learning from some of the most incredible dancers in the field. Though belly dance is my primary style, my background in modern, ballet, jazz, and even French can-can sometimes weaves its way into my performances.

Performance Style

My dance is rooted in Egyptian styles—Golden Era, Oriental, and Modern Egyptian—but my influences don’t stop there. Whether it’s a lush, classical composition or an electrifying shaabi or mahraganat piece, I aim to bring storytelling, emotion, and theatricality to every performance.

Teaching Philosophy

I believe strong technique is built from the ground up, but a dancer’s growth is just as much about mindset as movement. My mission is to:

Provide a solid technical foundation for both first-time and experienced dancers.
Share the rich history of this dance form, connecting movement to its cultural roots.
Help dancers push past fear and self-doubt to embrace their artistry.

Teaching Experience

Belly Dance Instruction

📍 Upward Light and Healing Yoga – Mesa, AZ (July 2022–Present)

You Can Belly Dance! – A multi-level, six-week class series with optional performance opportunities.
You Can Belly Dance: Weekend Edition! – 90 minute intermediate to advanced special topic workshops.

📍 Arizona State University – Tempe, AZ (Aug 2019–May 2021)

Instructor for DCE 111 & DCE 211 – Beginning and intermediate belly dance choreography & technique.

📍 Apache Junction Parks and Recreation – Apache Junction, AZ (Mar 2018–Nov 2019)

Taught beginner and intermediate belly dance technique and choreography.

📍 Phoenix College – Phoenix, AZ (Sept 2014–Dec 2015)

Assistant instructor for an introductory belly dance course. Developed lesson plans and ensured safe foundational technique.

📍 Studios 806 – Phoenix, AZ (May 2013–Apr 2014)

Led beginner-level classes focusing on proper posture, technique, and introductory choreographies.

Early Childhood Dance Education

📍 Arizona State University – Tempe, AZ (Jan 2013–May 2013)

Designed and taught dance lessons for preschool through middle school students, integrating Laban movement principles and Arizona Dance Standards.

Dance Training & Mentorship

I have trained extensively in Egyptian, Oriental, and shaabi styles with some of the most respected instructors in the field, as well as in choreography, musicality, and performance development.

Intensive Study & Mentorship Programs

Belly Lab Raqs and Rose Cairo Shimmy Quake – Los Angeles, CA (2024)
Belly Lab Hot Raqs – Clovis, CA (2022)
Belly Lab Phoenix – Phoenix, AZ (2019)
Aziza’s Dream Camp & Year of You Mentorship – Montreal, Canada (2016–2019)
Lisa Zahiya’s Year of You Mentorship – Asheville, NC (2018–2019)

Private & Group Study

Amanda Rose (Phoenix, AZ & Spain) – Choreography, musicality, and Egyptian styles (2015–2021)
Samantha Karim (Phoenix, AZ) – 2017–2019
Ava Fleming (Phoenix, AZ) – Classical Egyptian, fusion, props, and dance fitness (2011–2015)

Academics

📖 M.S. Global Technology & Development – Arizona State University, 2017

Capstone: Dance Regulation & Reclamation: Dance, Technology, and Meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

📖 B.S. Anthropology & Minor in Dance – Arizona State University, 2013

Relevant coursework: Modern Dance, Raqs Sharqi, Dance History, Ethnography of Dance Practices, Anatomy & Physiology for Dancers

Research Presentations

Dance Regulation & Reclamation: Dance, Technology & the UN SDGs – 2017, ASU Research Symposium
Orientalism, Ethics & Cultural Appropriation in Raqs Sharqi – 2013, SHESC Undergraduate Symposium
Body Language: Communication Through Dance – 2012, SHESC Undergraduate Symposium

Certifications & Recognition

🏆 Journey Through Egypt (JtE) Level 1 & 2 Certified (2014, 2019)

Studied the dance and cultural context of Egypt’s diverse regional styles under Sahra Kent.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Raqs Film Festival 2023- Best Story for film “Nora//Noura”
Amethyst Dance Festival 2018 – 3rd Place Professional Oriental/Egyptian, Top Fusion Performer
Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association of AZ – Dancer of the Week (May 2014)
Texas Dance Educators Association All-State Dance Team (2009–2010)

Google Sites

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