Jamiila grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and began studying Middle Eastern dance in 1986. Since that time, she has studied with some of the greatest masters in this genre including Nagwa Fouad, Farida Fahmy, Mahmoud Reda, Denise Enan, Yousrey Sharif, Helene Eriksen, and Sahra Saeeda, just to name a few. In the early 90's she won several awards from Dance Manitoba for her choreography. From 1997-2005 she taught and performed for many schools and community events throughout Manitoba with the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg and the "Stages for Learning" program. In 2000, Jamiila was honored to become the first "bellydancer" to receive the support and recognition of the Manitoba Arts Council, raising the level of acceptance and validity of this so often misunderstood dance genre into the mainstream performing arts community.
Now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Jamiila continues to promote and celebrate multiculturalism through this ancient yet ever-evolving art form.
...to be continued.