About Naia
Naia Al’Abbasi is the founder and director of Malaika Middle Eastern Dance Company in Springfield, MO.
Naia began her dance journey at the age of four, studying jazz, tap, and ballet for ten years. After a five year dance hiatus, Naia stumbled upon Sarrab School of Dance, under the direction of Yasmine Al’Abbasi, and instantly fell in love with the charm and elegance of Egyptian style bellydance. Naia is most noted for her graceful style and watery, or snake-like, movements. In fact, "Naia" means "to flow like water".
Naia broadened her repertoire to many other traditional styles of bellydance after moving to Lafayette, IN and studying at Bare Bones Belly Dance (Troupe Oasis), under the direction of Mary Kat Lebo, for two years. Upon returning to Springfield, MO, Naia re-connected with Troupe Sarrab and quickly established herself as an accomplished instructor, choreographer, and troupe leader. While Naia enjoys studying and performing a variety of traditional Middle Eastern dance styles, she feels continuously drawn to her first love of Egyptian Orientale and Folklore dances.
As a bellydance instructor, Naia strives to not only teach students the fundamentals and technique of dance, but to teach students how to become a dancer. Her basic level classes are easy, fun, and laid-back, with each level of class increasing in the level of difficulty and challenge. A variety of classes is offered approximately every 6-8 weeks based on the interest of her students.
As a bellydance performer, Naia consistently provides her audience with a stunning, vibrant performance that exudes classiness, grace, and elegance. Naia's shows are adaptable to any time length between 10 min - 1 hr and may include more dancers at special request. For more information about booking Naia or the Malaika Dancers click here.
You may have seen Naia perform at the following venues:
- Arts Fest in Springfield, MO
- Cider Days in Springfield, MO
- Multicultural Festival at Juanita K Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in Springfield, MO
- International Students Banquet at Missouri State University
- Hot Latin/Cool Swing - 2nd Saturday Dance at The New Key Largo (formerly at ReRico's)
- Global Collective Showcases in Springfield, MO
- Festival of Friends in Carthage, MO
- Greek Islands Restaurant in Indianapolis, IN
- Indianapolis International Festival
- Evening at the Oasis Shows in Lafayette, IN
- Global Fest in West Lafayette, IN
- Wabash Landing in West Lafayette, IN
- Dancing in the Streets in Lafayette, IN
- Campus events at Missouri State University, Purdue University, and Ozarks Technical Community College
- ISAMEDT (Indiana State Association of Middle Eastern Dancers and Teachers) events
- Charity events such as Relay For Life, Light the Night, the Star Ball, RockNRibs Sponsorship Dinner (Rotary Club of Springfield), National Day of Dance, 3V's Community Health Fair, Summit Optimist Club, health fairs and nursing homes