Kamala Almanzar is a 3rd generation dancer, living in the Los Angeles area. She trained in, and performed ballet and jazz for many years before focusing on Raqs Sharki (Belly Dance) as a teenager.

This lead to a long,  successful solo career, performing in hundreds of Lebanese, Egyptian, Armenian,& Greek venues, as well as theaters and hotels in many countries.

Kamala has many screen credits including the film “The Man with Bogart’s Face”, which has become a cult classic for belly dance aficionados.

Kamala’s 1st troupe experience was with “Arabesque” dance company in the 1980’s. Legendary Egyptian dancer Farida Fahmy of the Reda Troupe choreographed and directed their performances.

In the 1990’s she became assistant director to Laura Crawford’s “Flowers of the Desert”, composed of LA’s top soloists.  Credits include performances with Egypt’s Hakim & Amr Diab, artists Cheb Mami & Alabina, rock and roll concerts, nightclubs & tours. The “Flowers” jump started the “Belly Dance fusion” genre with sold out theatre productions featuring innovative choreographies. Kamala directed a junior division “The Flower Buds of the Desert”, who’s members performed in Flowers of the Desert shows, and won numerous titles at belly dance competitions.

Kamala has many influences who have shaped her style. She is a movie- musical geek who gains inspiration from Cyd Charisse, The Reda Troupe and classic Egyptian movie musicals. Kamala is also influenced by the legendary Egyptian Oriental dancers past & present. This doesn’t mean, however, that she denies her own training in western dance and culture, and she enjoys pushing boundaries and fusing dance styles from all genres.

Kamala currently teaches in So California. Kamala’s students perform under the names “Orchids Al Sahara”, “Flower Buds of the Desert”, “Viridiana & Roxanna” and “Gems of the Nile”. Her students continue to win competitions, and many have become successful professional dancers, including  “Belly Dance Superstars”.

KAMALA’S BIO