Aubergine is a Baltimore, Maryland based belly dance troupe founded and directed by Nina Amaya.  We are a joyful group of dancers from diverse backgrounds who perform both Middle Eastern dances and our own style we call Cabaret Fairy Fusion.  Belly dance has many messages, facets, even names — Middle Eastern Dance, Oriental Dance, Raqs Sharqi — and we are proud to be ambassadors for this dazzling art form.  Founded in 2006 as Belly Dance Delight, Aubergine brings the same sparkling delight to audiences throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. 

Our colorful, exciting, and sometimes whimsical programs delight all ages, and we have had the pleasure of performing for crowded festivals and intimate gatherings — and everything in between:

Festivals • Corporate Events • Haflas (belly dance community parties) • Baltimore's Flowermart • Smithsonian American Art Museum • The Baltimore Museum of Art • Columbia's Slayton House •  Baltimore's Artscape • Chesapeake Pride Festival • Riverfest • Faerie Festivals in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland • Nursing Homes • Red Hat Events and Masonic Orders • Parades • Restaurants • Charity Events • Private Parties

Want belly dancers at your event?  Our rates range from $150-$1500, depending on numbers of dancers, distance traveled, and event requirements.  Discounted rates are available for charity events, retirement homes, and hospitals. 

After your event, you can say, " OMG Nina!  We have GOT to have you all back next year.  You were so AWESOME!  People won't stop raving about the fantastic belly dancers!  You and your team totally blew me away!! What do I have to do to make this happen?"-- Joy Halcott of The Multiple Sclerosis Fantasy Ball

• Visit Aubergine on Facebook
  
• Contact troupe director Nina Amaya, 443-834-3191

Nina Amaya has been studying Middle Eastern Dance since 1997.   She has been trained in Egyptian cabaret and folk dance, Turkish belly dance,  American belly dance and Bollywood.  She has performed at festivals, restaurants, family parties, children's parties, parades, and galas across the region, and has been featured by the local press. 

Nina also fuses her background in Middle Eastern dance forms with the world of fantasy in the art of what she likes to call "fairy fusion," performing at fairy festivals and conventions, and even enlivening the local community with giant dancing puppets that are works of art in and of themselves.  

Nina Amaya is renowned for her dynamic performances and fun, clear teaching style.  Troupemate Elliot says, "Nina's accessible teaching style makes it possible for students to really grasp how to construct a pose, gesture, move, or entire choreography, for beginners as well as seasoned dancers. Her love of life and the arts is contagious, and her sense of adventure inspires her dancers to reach deep within themselves to attempt, accomplish, and master new skills."

Visit Nina's solo website

Jeannie began studying belly dance in September 2005 at age 50, proving that it‘s never too late!   She has studied a variety of styles including Egyptian, Turkish, American Cabaret and Tribal Fusion with Alhena Suhaila, Antonia, Devra Johari, Naimah and Nina Amaya.   Additionally, she has taken workshops from Lyra of Kallisi Tribal, Lisa Zahiya, Melina of Daughters of Rhea, Latifia, Shahrzad, Atef and Shems.

Jeannie has been honored to perform at Artscape, Chesapeake Pride, The Baltimore Flower Mart, Fairy Festivals, Haflas, Nursing Homes, Charitable Benefits (ie: A Chocolate Affair, Shimmies for A Cure, Disco Benefit for the Oil Spill, the VA Hospital and Race for the Cure), private events, The Hippo, Arts in the Park, Shiver Me Shimmies, Spring Caravan, Belly Dance Nationals and the Smithsonian Institute’s American Art Museum. 

She is a former member of The Ya Yas and Amandari (under the direction of Naimah) and occasionally duets with her daughter as Jeannie and Mischaal.

Alizarin began studying Cabaret style belly dance in 2007  and joined Aubergine (then Belly Dance Delight) in 2008.  Because of her shy personality, the journey into the world of performance has been an exciting adventure for Alizarin, and has resulted in a tremendous amount of personal exploration and growth.  One of the things she loves about the contemporary world of belly dance is the collaboration of many cultures it represents. The name "Alizarin," which is an Arabic loan word in English for a deep crimson pigment, reflects this.  

Alizarin's name also reflects her main profession as an illustrator and fine artist (www.joannabarnum.com.)  She enjoys employing her professional skills to assist Aubergine with its visual media and costuming.  The purple and black costumes in the photo to the left were designed by Alizarin/Joanna in collaboration with the troupe.  

Alizarin is part of the duet Baba Ghanoush with troupemate Amyfae.  Together they often enjoy exploring the humorous side of belly dance.  Feel free to contact them about booking Baba Ghanoush for your event: BabaGhanoushbd@gmail.com

Munani wandered into the world of belly dance on a dare in 2008, and hasn't looked back. A visual artist by trade , and a behind-the-scenes person by nature, she gets a kick out of how much fun performing can be. She truly enjoys her jubilant troupe-mates and the lighthearted camaraderie that the group fosters. (www.elliotazzam.com)

Amyfae has been belly dancing for over ten years and has studied and performed in many places, including Maryland, New York, and Japan.  Amyfae is a dynamic performer and a gentle teacher, a sorceress of shimmies and a creative choreographer.   She joined Aubergine in 2009.

Besides performing with Aubergine, Amyfae also enjoys soloing.  Additionally, she explores the silly, joyful side of dance with troupemate Alizarin in their duet Baba Ghanoush.  (Tasty on pita!)  Feel free to contact them about booking Baba Ghanoush for your event: BabaGhanoushbd@gmail.com

Amyfae currently assists Nina with instruction for Aubergine and teaches the Loyola Middle Eastern Dance Club.  She is available for teaching parties and solo performances at your event.

Christina is a joyful belly dancer whose style ranges from American Cabaret, to Tribal Fusion, to Turkish.   Although Christina's mother was a belly dancer, it wasn't until she took lessons from Typhrodisia that she discovered her love for belly dance.  Christina has also studied with Nina Amaya, Suhaila Salimpour, Petite Jamilla, Latifa, Kami Liddle, Shahrzad, Stacey Lizette, and Naimah. In addition to belly dance, she has competed in ballroom dancing and has studied jazz and ballet.  
Christina enjoys performing at festivals, restaurants, and haflas.

Kalindi is a baby in the world of belly dance.   She has trained under Nina Amaya starting just last year, and owes the fairies a debt of gratitude for showing her the way.   She loves to celebrate the joy and healing power of movement, having expanded to this art form from her teaching of Qi Gong.

Caped crusader by day, bellydancer by night, Ceydra balances many swords in her impressive juggling act that we call life. We are ready for her life as a crimefighter and mom to get easier so we get to dance with her more.

Jem Ben has just been invited into the troupe, and we are thrilled! Already an accomplished modern tribal dancer with Gypsy Fusion and in a performing duet, Cypress,  she started studying with Nina Amaya to learn cabaret. Look for her in a show soon!

Dawn began her practice of Middle Eastern dance in 1993. What an amazing adventure it has been for her! She has performed as a regular member of three troupes and has also been a guest performer with several other groups. She has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to dance at private parties, restaurants, weddings, Renaissance festivals, numerous fundraising and charity events, and even her daughter’s preschool! She has studied Cabaret, Egyptian, Turkish, and American Tribal styles of the dance. Recently, she taught a weekly beginner belly dance class at the Atlantic Coastal Athletic Club (ACAC) in Charlottesville for over two years. For her, the dance is part of her spiritual practice. She dances as a moving meditation, a deeply felt celebration of gratitude for the precious, wondrous gift of her life. She is positively thrilled to be able to join the Aubergine Belly Dance Troupe.

Jonathan coordinates live music for our shows! Everyone loves working with him, so we have many musicians as collaborators. He's the director of Insijam. Look for him in his kilt and top hat at a festival near you!

Allen has started working with us as a drummer, both learning the choreographed drum solos we know and sharing those he has written with us.  Allen has worked with troupes in Virginia, and we are so happy he is now working with Aubergine!

Casimira, founding member
Adira, founding member
Zayna Cantara, founding member
Malaika, founding member
Sura Lee, founding member
Kristin
Linden
Rae Sunshine
Zafira Luna
Catriona
Phoenix