Sahar began studying Belly Dance in the Bay Area during the mid ‘70’s with Khadiga Rabanne, Najia El Muzayen, Jamila Salimpour and Bert Balladine. Her more recent mentors include Mahmoud Reda, Ibrahim Fararh and Rakia Hassan. She began her professional dance career as a full-time house dancer at popular Bay Area restaurants and clubs such as the old Casbah in San Francisco. She has performed extensively as a professional soloist throughout California, and has made guest appearances in Reno, Las Vegas, New York, Denver and Athens, Greece. Sahar resides in Santa Cruz where she teaches group and private classes.

Specializing in a creative synthesis of Egyptian, Lebanese and Turkish folkloric, cabaret, classical and Gypsy styles, with influences from African, Brazilian, South and Central Asian dance and Yoga, her knowledge of Middle Eastern music, rhythms and culture bring excitement to her performance and instruction. Her commitment to the discipline and deep love for the art lend to her unique fluidity and technical precision.

Sahar has a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology with an emphasis in world music and dance. Her thesis, “Belly Dance: An ancient art in modern perspective” received honors. In April, 1993, supported by a grant form the Santa Cruz Arts Commission, Sahar produced “A Her-Story of Belly Dance,” honoring the ancient roots of the dance and tracing an evolution of styles in the East and West. She traveled to Egypt on a dance study tour and stayed to study privately with choreographer Rakia Hassan. In 1997 and 2001, she attended the 1st and 2nd International Conferences on Middle Eastern Dance, which included workshops with Egyptian superstars Mona Said and Noswa Fouad.

Sahar sponsors special workshops in Santa Cruz with visiting artists such as the legendary Bert Balladine and is often a featured seminar instructor in other communities. She has provided a number of educational presentations at UCSC and in the local community. She is an active member and supporter of the Santa Cruz Ethnic Arts Network. In 1989 and 1992, Sahar placed as first and second runner-up in the national Miss America of Belly Dance contest. She has also made the cover of “Caravan,” a popular international Middle Eastern dance journal.

Internationally recognized as a professional soloist and dance scholar, she continues to seek instruction and inspiration from the world’s top masters, and to research the history, cultures and current trends surrounding this rich and diverse art.

“Sahar”, which is Arabic for ‘twilight,’ embodies in her dance the magical, mystical qualities of this time when reality changes with the shapes and colors of new dimensions. Her artistry has inspired dancers, musicians, scholars and ever sailors! In naming their new sailboat after her, a local couple describes the qualities shared by both the dancer and the vessel which would transport them safely across the seas: “Sahar has a soul. She is strong, long and curvy, able to cast a spell over anyone sensitive to her charms, she is quiet and classy. Those who know, through, walk up and start talking…”

Sahar is teaching Belly Dance.