Layla Ali

is the director, choreographer, and founder of The Jewels Bellydance Co. and has been dancing since the mid 1960's. She studied ballet, tap, and acrobatics when she was a child, but she was ultimately drawn to the mysteries of Little Egypt. Several tragedies and accidents curtailed her dancing on and off over the years, but that flame always burned in her heart.

She has studied with many greats including Delilah, Dalia, Ruby, Shamira, Jamila & Suhalia and more. Some of her fondest memories have come from her bellydance study and performing. When she was younger, Layla was approached by Leileili, her first instructor, and she stayed with her for over 15 years. Their friendship was beautiful and unbroken until Leileili's death. Layla learned so much from her, she was a true artist. Getting to attend the first workshop of Nadia Gamal here in the states in 1978 was another such memory. Layla fondly remembers her style, grace and passion. She has studied in countless workshops over the past 7 years with Princess Farhana, Jim Boz, Habiba, Tempest, Asarha, Gypsy Caravan, Katia and many more. She holds 4 teaching certifications and has several awards from the 80's. She loves her props and will dance with anything from glass, to candles, to drums, to wings (soup to nuts so to speak).

Layla has performed in over 18 states and also teaches Happa Hole Style Hula. She had a very bad equestrian accident in 1979 and faced the prospect of never walking, let alone dancing again. Amazingly, it was the dance that pulled her through the long recovery process. At the urging of friends, family and former students she started The Jewels Bellydance Co. Layla has boundless energy and instills the passion and the love of the dance in her students. She stresses fun first and shows that anyone no matter what ability or disability can truly enjoy this form of dance.

She encourages her students to give back to the community by performing at benefits and similar events. She has performed consistently at Peach Festival, Spring Caravan, Hipnotique in Cape May, Rakkasah East and many restaurants and clubs in the area. She is patient and loving in her style of teaching and makes everyone feel like family. In the last couple of years she decided to try Tribal Style and now has reinvented herself again,with the same energy, passion, and high power that everyone has come to admire and enjoy. Come experience first hand the magical, playful, fun loving side of belly dance in a relaxed, comfortable, energized atmoshere and experience the fire, passion and energy that all fondly call LAYLA.

Ezmerala

started belly dancing in 2006 fulfilling a childhood dream of hers.  Involved in dance from an early age, Ezmerala has studied ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, and modern dance before beginning to explore the world of Middle Eastern dance.  She began and currently studies with Layla Ali. In addition to this, Ezmerala has also taken instruction from  Habiba, Jim Boz, Hipnosis and other well known instructors.  She enjoys dancing Egyptian, Turkish and Fusion as well as using props in her routines.  She has recently begun teaching beginners and children Raks Sharki and Tribal Fusion.  Her two young daughters also enjoy belly dancing and have performed occasionally with their mother.  Ezmerala has danced at Spring Caravan, Rakassah East, Behind The Veil’s Annual Event, Café Spice and numerous Haflas.   Ezmerala will be competing in the 2009 Belly Dance National Competition.

Ashira

is the founder of Gemz of Arabia Productions and an associate member of The Jewels Bellydance Co. She began dancing in 2005 with Athena, and had taken numerous workshops with Jasmin Jahal , Dahlena and Sahara Dance. The foundation of her dance is based in traditional cabaret; however, it is fused with her fun and outgoing personality, she loves interacting with her audience. Also, she enjoys using props, such as swords, veils, canes and fans.

Aydin Kali

began studying bellydance with Layla in 2007. Aydin is a lovely, petite dancer, who delights to bring her love of candles and fantasy to the stage. Willing to tackle anything, she is the sweet one of the Jewels Bellydance Company. In 2008, she performed at Spring Caravan, Rakkasah East, Day of Belly Dance, Peach Festival as well as several Haflas, and she excels at children's birthday parties. She has recently started getting into Tribal Style Bellydance and loves the quirky Light Goth. 

Isis

started dancing with Layla in 2006. She has come to enjoy the support and friendships formed through the dance community. Even though she dances American Cabaret and uses swords and candles, she found her true passion is Tribal Style and Light Goth; Rachael Brice and Zoe Jakes are her idols. She started performing regularly with the Jewels in 2007 at Peach Festival, Behind the veil Hafla, Rakkasah East and Spring Caravan as well as The Jewels' Haflas. Isis is also a member of the Jewels "Black Pearls".

Lorelei

Lorelei is an auxiliary member of the Jewels. She dances with them when her schedule allows, but also performs solo at other events. She has been studying bellydance since 2005 and also draws on many years of other music and dance training. Her style is many faceted, incorporating a wide variety of sub-genres of bellydance. Lorelei has trouble describing her dance style since it is not quite Vintage Oriental, kind of Gothic, a little Tribal, and somewhat like Turkish (shaken VIGOROUSLY, not stirred). Therefore, she dubs her style: Turkish - ish.

She is also a student of Middle-Eastern music and contributes her skill in flute, drum, and zills to The Jewels Bellydance Company. She also organizes a monthly Drum and Dance Hafla at MOJO Main and a drum circle at the Newark Arts Alliance, both on Main Street of Newark Delaware.

Shoshana

After starting study of classical Egyptian bellydance in early 2009, Shoshana has found a home with the Jewels in 2010. Not exactly a shy violet, she loves to entertain; Shoshana has a theatrical background, having started in theatre when she was thirteen, and she is very active as an actor, dancer and singer in many theatres in northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. Shoshana has a passion for both music and dance and, while attaining her degree in music education, she focused heavily on early music and multicultural studies. With so many beautiful people, cultures, and styles of dance in this world, it's hard for her to pick a favorite - and although her first love is cabaret-style Egyptian, she has developed a real passion for fusion, American Tribal Style and - dare we even say it in polite company - burlesque! Give her a crowd and a great beat, and she's in heaven!

Zeina

Zeina joined the Jewels in 2009. She loves all aspects of the dance from Tribal to Cabaret,from Fusion to Gypsy and beyond. She is Layla's main dance partner as a duet and helps degign and make costumes. She has a dance background in ballet, tap and jazz, which helps her to spice up her routines. Her famous quote is give her a cool beat, some bling, a shot of Honey, shake vogorously and watch what happens.

The Little Jewels

are our children's troupe.  The Jewels Bellydance Company is a family affair and we take pride in our youngest members.  We encourage our young dancers to learn all forms of dance and perform often.  This builds self-confidence and pride, even in our youngest students!